Chapter 3

The next morning at work, I turned in my application form.

My coworkers saw it and kept asking what had made me change my mind so suddenly.

"What made you decide to go after all? You can bear to leave your precious Bartholomew Harding?"

I shook my head and said nothing.

Then Peggy Summers came looking for me, crying her eyes out.

"Regina, I really didn't mean to cause a fight between you two. I didn't know you'd get the wrong idea about him because of me. Let me apologize to you, okay? Don't stay angry at him."

I frowned and quickly pulled her into an empty office.

Peggy's position was delicate. If someone recognized her, it would be trouble all over again.

But the moment we stepped inside, she suddenly screamed and threw herself at the floor, slamming down hard. Before I could even react, the office door swung open.

It was Bartholomew.

He took in the scene and rushed straight over to help Peggy up.

"What happened?" There was an edge of panic in his voice.

Peggy spoke through her tears. "I came to apologize to Regina. I didn't want you two fighting because of me, so I texted you to come make up with her, but she pushed me."

"I don't know why Regina is so hostile toward me. I really just wanted to apologize. My knee hurts so much."

Peggy's knee was scraped open and bleeding.

Bartholomew turned to me with fury in his eyes, grabbed me, and dragged me in front of Peggy.

My lower back struck the corner of the desk, but strangely, I didn't feel the pain.

"Regina, are your thoughts really that ugly? Can't you stand to see anyone else do well? How long are you going to keep this up?"

"Apologize to Peggy now, and dress her wound."

I let out a cold laugh. "You believe her word just like that?"

"I only believe what I see with my own eyes."

"What do you mean, what you see? Her falling is a fact, but me getting hurt that day isn't? You only believe what you want to believe. You're prejudiced against me, so every bad thing must be my doing, is that it?" I asked him, my voice breaking.

Bartholomew fell silent. He only stood there, watching me quietly.

I tilted my head back, not wanting the tears to fall. My eyes stung, but the ache in my heart was worse.

The room stayed quiet for a long time before I pushed the door open and left.

I came back with the supplies and dressed Peggy's wound, quick and simple.

"I'm treating her wound because I'm a doctor, and I can't stand by and watch anyone get hurt. I didn't do what she said, so I won't apologize. If you want the security footage, you can get it from the security office yourself. I have work to do, so I won't keep you company."

With that, I turned and walked out. It felt like eyes were following me from behind.

But I didn't look back, not once.