And Fay Simmons, the one who destroyed us both, walked free on her father's money and connections.
Now she was tugging at Lionel's sleeve, smiling like a child.
"Don't fight with Moira because of me. If she needs to vent, let her. I don't mind!"
"Fine, let's say it was all my fault. Moira, I'm sorry. I really am!"
Fay dropped to her knees in front of me, grabbed my hand, and lifted it toward her own cheek.
The instant before the slap could land, Lionel caught my wrist. His grip was so tight I felt my bones grind together.
"Moira Swanson, how did I end up with a wife this petty and vindictive?"
"Fay is on her knees for you. What more do you want? You want her to die for your dead lover?"
I stared at Lionel, eyes wide, unable to believe what had just come out of his mouth.
"Lionel! He was your professor too!"
Lionel shook my hand off and turned his back to me. A long silence passed before he spoke.
"Where there's smoke, there's fire. You and him were probably sleeping together!"
Rage churned in my chest, burning so hot my throat seized.
Then the familiar pain ripped through my stomach, sharp as a blade.
I doubled over, retching, but nothing came up except bile.
Lionel's hand moved toward my back.
Fay's voice cut him short.
She picked up the report I'd dropped.
"So it really was you who asked my friend to fake a medical record!"
Lionel took the report from her.
Moira Swanson, followed by the words confirmed: stomach cancer. His eyes flinched.
He turned to Fay, his expression stone-cold.
"What are you talking about?"
Fay glanced at me with a look of rehearsed reluctance.
"The doctor is a friend of mine from school. She told me someone named Moira Swanson came in today asking her to fabricate a diagnosis. I assumed it was just someone with the same name, but..."
"Dr. Dickerson, please don't be angry. She probably just wanted your attention!"
With every word out of Fay's mouth, Lionel's face darkened another shade.
His hand closed around my throat.
"Moira Swanson. You faked a cancer diagnosis just to drag me home?"
His grip tightened until my face turned purple, and only then did he fling me aside.
I collapsed on the floor, gasping, swallowing air in desperate gulps.
Lionel stood over me, looking down with a cold sneer.
"Fine. I'll go home tonight, just like you wanted."
"And you. Stay here and think about what you've done."
He confiscated my phone and dragged me into the break room.