6
442words
I had energy to improve nursing procedures and build better connections with patients.
As I stepped into a bright future,Ethan stuck like gum on my shoe.
“You didn’t quit?You lied?”
He cornered me in a hospital hallway,face dark.
“Lied?You failed my test.”
“If you’d passed,I wouldn’t have let you get into a situation where you had to borrow money to pay a bill.”
I looked at his dark circles and spoke with pity in my voice.
His dad’s condition worsened,racking up hospital bills.
“Jasmine,I was stressed that day.Those words weren’t me.Forgive me?”
“My dad raised me through hell,and now he’s suffering.Help him.”
I looked away,silent.
“Four years together—I don’t believe you’re this cold.”
He leaned in,trapping me against the wall.
I could smell Lana's overpowering perfume on him.
I held up a syringe at his neck.He backed off.
“Ethan,you dumped me for being‘broke,’but now your dad needs care,and you think sweet talk will fix it?You think your charm will make me want to take care of you and your problems? Look at yourself.”
He snapped,pointing as I walked away.“Jasmine,don’t think a few bucks gives you the right to insult me.You’re too chummy with that guard—who knows where your money’s really comes from?I wouldn’t touch your dirty cash.”
It was peak morning rush.Doctors and patients stared.
Some even sneaked videos,ripe for online misinterpretation.
Fine—we'd settle this right here and now.
I pointed at Ethan,laying it all out:how he'd cheated on me with an intern, tried to con me into being his free caregiver, and even picked out "gifts" from the trash. My colleagues stepped up and backed me up.
“The guard?Just doing his job well,and Ethan slanders him.It's completely unfair.”
“It’s him—the one who cheats and schemes.”
“He’s trying to smear her reputation.Vile.”
“Jasmine took good care of me before. She's an honest person, not what he's making her out to be.”
The crowd turned on Ethan.Unable to argue,he shoved through and fled.
That night,he added me on a new WeChat.
Verification:You owe me$60,987 from four years.Pay up.
We'd always split the cost of meals. How on earth did he come up with me owing him $60,000?
Coincidentally,$60,000 was exactly the amount needed forhis dad’s treatment.
Intrigued by his game, I accepted the request.
His Excel file blew my mind.
He'd itemized every single penny he'd spent and billed it to me: $4 for subway rides to see me, $38 for meals at restaurants I'd suggested.
Funniest part?He’d even charged his time with me at his overtime rate—1,178 hours over four years,totaling $60,000.
I exited,messaging:“Charging by the hour?Are you a gigolo or something?”
