Maya's POV
The champagne glass trembled in my hand as Richard's fingers tightened around mine. His smile looked wrong, too bright, too sharp, like broken glass catching light.
Maya, he whispered against my ear, his breath hot and sour. You look beautiful tonight. Remember that.
My stomach twisted. Why would he say it like that? Like a warning?
The hospital ballroom sparkled with crystal chandeliers and elegant people in expensive clothes. Everyone important was here, the hospital board, surgeons, nurses, even the CEO. They'd all come to celebrate our engagement at the annual charity gala.
I should have felt happy. Instead, dread crawled up my spine like ice water.
Ladies and gentlemen! Richard's voice boomed through the microphone as he stepped onto the small stage. Thank you all for coming tonight!
Applause rippled through the crowd. I forced myself to smile, even though my face felt frozen.
I have an important announcement to make, Richard continued, his eyes finding mine across the room. Something cold flickered in them. About my relationship with Dr. Maya Reeves.
My heart hammered. This wasn't part of the plan. We'd agreed—no speeches, no attention. Richard hated public displays.
Maya and I have been together for three years, he said, his voice carrying that false warmth he used with difficult patients. She's brilliant, dedicated, and I thought she was the woman I'd marry.
Thought? Past tense?
But I can't live a lie anymore. Richard's expression shifted—wounded, brave, like a hero confessing a painful truth. I've fallen in love with someone else. Someone who truly understands me.
The room went deadly silent.
No. No, this wasn't happening.
Lauren Chen and I have been seeing each other for six months, Richard announced. I'm sorry, Maya. But we're in love.
Lauren. My best friend. My roommate. The person who held me when I cried about losing my parents. The woman who helped me pick out my engagement ring.
She stepped onto the stage beside him, sliding her hand into his.
The champagne glass slipped from my fingers, shattering on the marble floor. The sound echoed like gunfire.
Wait— My voice came out strangled, broken. Richard, what are you—
There's more. Richard's expression hardened. The medication error from two weeks ago—the one that nearly killed Mrs. Patterson? That was Maya's fault.
The crowd gasped. Heads turned toward me like wolves sensing wounded prey.
I covered for her because I loved her, Richard continued, his voice heavy with fake regret. I falsified records to protect her career. But I can't do it anymore. My conscience won't allow it. Maya is reckless, unstable, and dangerous to patients.
That's a lie! I screamed. You made that error! I wasn't even on shift when
Security, please escort Dr. Reeves out, Dr. Harrison, the CEO, ordered coldly. We'll be conducting a full investigation.
Two security guards grabbed my arms. I fought them, my heels skidding on the polished floor.
Richard, please! Tears blurred my vision. Why are you doing this?
He didn't answer. Just watched with those cold, empty eyes as they dragged me through the crowd. People I'd worked with for five years stepped back like I carried disease. Whispers followed me like poison.
I always knew something was off about her.
So careless with medications.
Poor Richard, having to deal with that.
The night air hit me like a slap when they shoved me outside. I stumbled, caught myself against a marble column, and vomited into the decorative bushes.
My whole body shook. This couldn't be real. This was a nightmare. Any second I'd wake up.
But the taste of bile was too real. The humiliation burning through me was too real.
I'd lost everything in ten minutes. My fiancé. My best friend. My reputation. My career.
Everything.
The apartment was dark when I stumbled through the door hours later. My feet ached from walking—I'd left my car at the hospital, too destroyed to drive.
Maya.
I jumped. Lauren sat on the couch in the darkness, surrounded by half-packed boxes.
What are you doing here? My voice sounded dead, hollow.
Getting my things. Lauren stood, flipping on a lamp. Her face was carefully blank—no guilt, no remorse. I'm moving in with Richard next week.
How long? The question tore out of me. How long have you been sleeping with him?
Does it matter?
Yes! I screamed. You were my friend! My best friend! How could you—
Friend? Lauren laughed bitterly. You don't know what it's like, Maya. Everything always came so easy for you. Top of our class, full scholarship, everyone's favorite doctor. Even with your tragic orphan backstory, you got everything.
My parents died! Tears streamed down my face. That's not a backstory—that's my life!
And everyone felt sorry for you. Gave you every opportunity. Meanwhile, I had to fight for scraps of attention. Lauren's eyes glittered with malice. Richard wanted someone who appreciated him. Someone who didn't make him feel small just by existing.
I loved you both, I whispered.
No. Lauren zipped up a suitcase with brutal efficiency. You loved the idea of us. The happy life you thought you deserved after losing your parents. But you don't deserve anything special, Maya. You're just like everyone else—alone.
She dragged her suitcase toward the door, pausing on the threshold.
Oh, and the medication error? That was all Richard. But he's got the altered records to prove it was you. The board will believe him—he's a Castellan. His family built that hospital wing. She smiled. You'll lose your medical license. Maybe even face criminal charges. But at least now you'll know what struggling really feels like.
The door slammed shut.
I stood alone in the empty apartment, surrounded by the ghost of my former life.
My phone buzzed, a notification from the hospital. Dr. Maya Reeves: Effective immediately, you are suspended pending investigation into professional misconduct. Please surrender your credentials and security badge by 9 AM tomorrow.
I sank to the floor, the phone slipping from my numb fingers.
Three months ago, I'd been happy. Engaged. Successful. Loved.
Now I had nothing.
And somewhere in the night, my destroyed life was just beginning to reveal how much worse it could get.