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My mother-in-law nodded along.
It hit me—she’d known and enabled Ethan’s affair all along.
A crowd gathered.
To spare my sanity,I marched toward Lily and slapped her across her perfect face.
Ethan appeared,grabbing my wrist to“save”her.
Emboldened,Lily’s tears fell.“Maggie,how could you hit me?”
I smirked.“Do I need a reason?I pitied you,gave you tips,helped settle your mom from the sticks.You promised to work hard,then climbed into my husband’s bed.Have some shame.”
Before I could finish,Ethan flung my wrist down,nearly dislocating it.
A kick sent him sprawling.
Ryan’s clear voice rang out.“This is a hospital.No yelling.”
He clapped twice,glancing up.
The crowd dispersed.Ryan took me to his office.
Under the curious gazes of other doctors,he checked my wrist.
“Yo,Dr.Ryan,your girlfriend?”
“Wow,lucky guy—look at her,stunning!”
“Height difference,size difference—I’m obsessed!”
Ryan’s face stayed stern.
I figured he didn’t like gossip,especially about a near-stranger who’d just been dumped.
I opened my mouth to clarify,but he looked up.“Don’t mind them.First time I brought a girl here—they’re just excited.Your wrist’s fine.”
His eyes met mine,and my heart skipped.
He asked me to wait until he was off.
For some reason,I did.
In his car’s passenger seat,I snapped out of it.
“Where to?”
His voice was warm.
He’d swapped his coat for a casual hoodie,looking like a college kid.
I stared,dazed.
He repeated,“Maggie,where’s home?”
No“sister”this time.
I shook my head,smiling wryly.“Honestly,I don’t know where to go.”
He grinned.“My place?My cat just learned to say‘sister.’Wanna hear?”
We were adults.I knew what he meant.
Recalling Ethan and Lily calling me an“old woman,”I felt a spark.
Divorced now,Ethan could have his fun—why couldn’t I?
Ryan was young,likely leagues better than Ethan.
I nodded.
The car’s dim lights hid his face as he leaned close.
His scent filled my senses,his hair brushing my nose.
I closed my eyes,ready for a kiss.
He chuckled.“Your seatbelt’s not on.”
I’d been played by a kid.
Embarrassed,my face burned.
He laughed,kissing my forehead lightly.
