Chapter 351
[ 519 words ]
Chapter 351:
Brenna fussed over her, carefully parting Caroline’s matted hair to check the back of her head, clucking with intense concern. “The swelling from when you hit that oak headboard during your breakdown at home has gone down, but you shouldn’t even be standing, Caroline, let alone dealing with this textbook psycho.”
Julian watched Caroline, his expression etched with a heavy mix of clinical guilt and deep worry. As the attending surgeon who had officially called the time of death for Caroline’s mother, he felt the crushing weight of her silent grief. “You shouldn’t have forced yourself to come back to shifts so soon after the funeral,” he said gently, his voice thick with unexpressed apology. “And you certainly should have told us Melanie was weaponizing your mother’s tragedy to harass you to that extent.”
Caroline shook her head, her gaze distant. “It wouldn’t have mattered. You can’t reason with people like that.”
Her phone buzzed on the table beside her. A secure message. She picked it up, her heart giving a small leap. It was from Jarrod.
𝗥𝗈𝘮aոc𝗲 𝗇𝘰𝘃𝖾𝗹𝗌 𝗼ո 𝗀𝘢𝗹𝘯𝘰𝗏𝘦𝗅𝗌.с𝗈𝘮
Heard there was a seismic event at the hospital. Hope you weren’t at the epicenter. I love you.
A small, genuine smile touched Caroline’s lips. Even deployed, halfway across the world, he knew. The thought was incredibly, deeply comforting. He was always watching.
She quickly typed back: Just some light housekeeping. I love you too. Stay safe.
The message anchored her, pulling her back from the icy rage. Her improved mood was noticeable to Brenna and Julian.
Just then, the door to the break room opened tentatively. Tammy Riggs stood there, looking pale and nervous.
Brenna immediately tensed, shifting her body to stand between Tammy and Caroline, ready to defend her friend again. “What do you want?”
Tammy flinched but held her ground, her eyes fixed on Caroline. “Can I talk to you?” she asked, her voice barely a whisper. “Alone?”
Caroline studied her for a long moment, then gave a slight nod to Julian and Brenna. They looked at each other, then reluctantly left the room, closing the door behind them.
Tammy stepped inside. She didn’t sit, just stood there awkwardly by the door.
“I am so sorry, Caroline,” she blurted out, the words rushing out in a torrent. “For everything. I never should have… It was wrong. All of it.”
She gestured to her bruised arm. “You did this. And honestly? I deserved it.”
Caroline remained silent, her expression unreadable, just listening.
Tammy took a deep breath. “Melanie… she preys on people’s insecurities. She promised me I’d be popular, that people would respect me. She fueled my jealousy of you. Every rumor, every confrontation… it was all her. I was just too stupid and weak to say no.”
Caroline finally spoke, her voice calm and even. “Why are you telling me this now?”
Tammy looked her directly in the eye, her own gaze filled with a newfound clarity. “Because today, I saw what she really is. And I saw what you are. You’re strong. She’s just poison.”
A truce hung in the air between them. It wasn’t friendship, but it was a mutual understanding. Caroline gave a slow nod of acceptance. The apology felt genuine.
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