Chapter 3
I naturally ignored his threats.
The third party management company called, saying they’d taken full control and handled all personnel matters-the Africa assignment list was finalized.
I was pleased with their efficiency, only asking them to check the OR surveillance footage from the day my children had surgery.
I couldn’t access it before because Caspian wouldn’t let me. His HR lackeys made excuses whenever I tried to review the footage.
Now, no one could stop me.
The management team checked the surveillance and called back minutes later, apologetic.
“That day’s footage has been deleted.”
My knuckles went white gripping the phone. No need to guess who deleted it.
To protect his precious girl, he’d really stoop to anything.
‘But don’t worry-our tech team can try to recover it.”
I relaxed, immediately promising bonuses for everyone if they could restore the footage.
Once the list went public, my phone exploded with calls.
The same doctors who used to say “Ms. Carter, thank you for helping me become a physician” were now sending me hate messages.
Luna Carter, when you can’t catch your husband’s mistress, you take it out on us. Don’t make me your scapegoat-I’m exposing your shit to the media. I’m not aying you jack, and I’m not going to Africa.”
Ms. Carter, please have mercy—I’m getting married soon and have a mortgage. Don’t drag us into your drama with Dr. Williams.”
Old witch, just wait. When Dr. Williams divorces you and my bestie takes over, let’s see how you lord over everyone then.”
pulled up each of their files and sent them to the management company.
Calculate exactly how much I spent training each person. If they don’t want Africa, they pay triple compensation per contract.”
was being merciful.
raining a doctor isn’t easy, and becoming a good doctor isn’t easy either.
didn’t want to destroy them-I just wanted what I was owed.
eeing the list was real and he and Quinn were still on it, Caspian finally cracked.
When he called, his voice barely contained his rage.
How long are you going to keep this up? You won’t be satisfied until everyone’s pissed and the hospital shuts down? Do you know how many surgeries are cheduled today? How are the doctors on that list supposed to focus on their work?”
This is a hospital-a place that saves lives, not your personal tantrum playground.”
Withdraw that announcement immediately and come apologize to everyone! Pay each person a year’s worth of performance bonuses for damages!”
I replied coolly: “They signed funding contracts agreeing to follow any hospital assignment orders. If they can’t work normally when orders come down, they
don’t deserve to be doctors.”
He started breathing heavily, cursing under his breath.
“You’re insane! Fine, since you won’t listen to reason, don’t blame me for playing hardball.”
“Luna Carter, remember-you drew first blood.”
The call ended, but I felt no satisfaction.
Only bitterness and sorrow.
I’d tried convincing myself he wasn’t unloving toward me or the kids-just cold by nature.
But apparently he could feel anger, lose control.
Apparently, he just never loved us at all.
I wasted ten years with someone who didn’t love me.
Watched him kill my two children.
Seeing I ignored all the hate, Caspian seemed determined to provoke me, starting his public retaliation.
He brazenly brought Quinn to academic conferences and galas.
They wore matching couple outfits, holding hands during interviews.
At the launch for a project I’d funded, he announced loudly.
‘Quinn made major contributions to this project. Without her, it never would have succeeded.”
They shared a knowing smile that the media captured.
The published photo’s headline read:
Cardiovascular Expert Caspian Williams and Wife Appear at Research Launch”
Picture of devotion, a true success story.”
He shared the article, commenting only: “New drug launch. Very happy.”
He said nothing about reporters mistaking Quinn for his wife.
The comments gushed about how perfect they looked together.
One person questioned: “Dr. Williams, isn’t this inappropriate?”
But the comment vanished immediately.
calmly read through everything, screenshotted it, and sent it to my lawyer.
Maybe my lack of reaction bored them.
Someone sent me a secretly recorded video.
In the treatment room, Quinn’s chest burn was exposed while Caspian applied medicine with a cotton swab.
Quinn whimpered softly: “Dr. Williams, it hurts. Maybe you should just use your fingers instead?”
Caspian’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he tossed the swab aside.
The video ended there.
The sender added a giggling emoji,
“Ms. Carter, don’t get the wrong idea-just changing bandages.”
I replied flatly: “I won’t.”
They’d both be in Africa soon anyway. I didn’t care what they did.
The next day, it happened to be the kids’ birthday. I bought decorations and turned the whole house into an Superman theme.
Their biggest wish had been an Superman birthday party.
They’d waited so long, but Caspian vetoed it every year:
“What’s with all the decorating, making the house a mess? Just eat cake,”
He rarely even stayed for the birthday cake.
Always claimed he was too busy for the kids.
But he had time to spend a whole day with Quinn at Disney.
My children barely got to experience this world-at least they deserved one birthday party they’d love.
Eyes red with tears, I sang “Happy Birthday” over and over to their urns.
The phone rang-the management company, voice urgent:
We have a problem. Check online now. Dr. Williams and the hospital doctors are staging a public strike to protest you.”
