Selflessly Saving My Romantic Rival

The rising starlet, Monica Reed, was rushed to the hospital after a car crash. The man carrying her, his face etched with panic, was my husband, Ted.
Her uterus was severely damaged. She was at risk of becoming infertile, or worse, bleeding to death on the operating table.
And she was demanding that I, Dr. Evelyn Hayes, perform her surgery. Shed rather die in agony, she claimed, than let anyone else touch her.
In my past life, I knew she and Ted were having an affair, but I still upheld my oath as a doctor and took the case. The surgery was a success. But afterward, she complained of excruciating abdominal pain and launched a smear campaign against me online, accusing me of professional negligence.
I lost my job. I was disowned by my family. In the end, crushed by depression, I slit my wrists.
And she? She built her new life on the ashes of mine, stepping out publicly with my husband.
Reborn, I looked at the woman before me, then gestured to the operating room where another patient was already prepped. That surgery is just as critical. Im afraid youll have to find another surgeon.
Her procedure was incredibly high-risk. Now, her only options were to transfer to another hospital or stay here and wait to die.

01.
Doctors! Someone, please, help her! My husband, Ted, burst into the ER, cradling a blood-soaked Monica Reed. He was frantic. To any stranger, he looked like a man terrified of losing his wife.
But I was his wife. Dr. Evelyn Hayes, protg of the legendary Dr. Albright, the most renowned gynecological surgeon this hospital had ever seen.
My mentor had retired last month, which meant that when it came to this kind of surgery, I was now the top authority here.
Ted had picked me up from work enough times for my colleagues to recognize him. So, the moment they arrived, a sympathetic coworker discreetly sent me a video from the ER entrance.
Her text followed: Shes holding his hand, calling him honey, begging him to save her. Youd better brace yourself, Evelyn.
Even though Id lived through this nightmare once before, the kindness in her warning still made my eyes sting. In my last life, when Monica accused me of sabotaging her surgery out of spite, these same colleagues had defended me. But the online mob was too vicious, their troll farms too powerful. Their support was drowned out in a sea of hate.
I quickly typed back, Thanks for the heads-up.
Her next message was panicked. Oh god, its bad. Looks like theyre transferring her to your department. If its GYN, theyll assign her to you. Theyre getting on the elevator now. You should probably make yourself scarce!
She was worried Id snap if I came face-to-face with the two of themthat Id do something reckless and jeopardize my upcoming promotion.
I frowned, my heart turning to ice. The elevator doors slid open. There she was, Monica Reed, on a gurney, with my distraught husband hovering beside her.
The moment Teds eyes met mine, he flinched and looked away, a flicker of guilt crossing his face.
But Monica, lying on the stretcher, suddenly pushed herself up. Ignoring the team of doctors and nurses rushing toward her, her gaze locked onto me. She pointed a trembling, blood-stained finger.
Ive heard shes Dr. Albrights prodigy, she announced, her voice weak but imperious. I want her. I wont let anyone else operate on me.

02.
News of Monica Reeds accident had already exploded online. Someone had filmed the ambulance arriving at Metropolitan Grace Hospital and the video was going viral.
The entire internet was watching this surgery. The hospitals reputation was on the line.
The Vice President of the hospital, Mr. Davies, hurried over. Hearing Monicas demand, his eyes darted to me. Evelyn! Since Miss Reed has such faith in you, I think its best you handle this personally.
In my past life, I was on the cusp of being promoted to Chief Resident. If it hadnt been for Monicas slander, that title would have been mine. And Mr. Davies had played his part in my downfall. Hed wanted the promotion to go to my department rival, Dr. Nina Torres, so hed deliberately lost the security footage from the operating room that day, leaving me with no way to prove my innocence.
He was pushing the surgery on me now for the same reason. He knew how dangerous it was. If I refused, and Monica didn't agree to a transfer, the procedure would fall to Nina. But Nina was clumsy, prone to small but dangerous mistakes under pressure. Davies was afraid shed botch a high-profile case like this and create a PR disaster. So, he wanted to toss this hot potato to me.
Too bad for him, I wasn't playing his game this time.
I gestured to the adjacent OR. I have a surgery scheduled for 10:30. The patient is being prepped right now for an emergency ectopic pregnancy. Shes in critical condition. I cant be in two places at once. Youll have to find someone else. I recommend an immediate transfer.
In my previous life, I was forced to take Monicas case. The woman with the ectopic pregnancy had collapsed in the lobby and was discovered too late. Nina had to take her surgery, and the patient bled out on the table. She was only twenty-five, a beautiful young woman with her whole life ahead of her. Her husband, I heard, was in the military. By the time he arrived, her body was already in the morgue.
The memory was a scar on my soul. This time, the first thing I did after being reborn was find that woman in the lobby an hour ago and arrange for her immediate admission and surgery.
I knew I could save her. And I wanted to. Saving an innocent life was infinitely better than saving a viper like Monica Reed.
Monica, hearing my refusal, writhed on the gurney, clutching her stomach. No! she shrieked at me. Find another doctor for her. I want you. Youre doing my surgery, right now!
She knew my skills were her best chance at a full recovery. She coveted my husband, but she also coveted my talent. She was banking on the fact that I would never risk my entire career by intentionally harming her on the operating table. All those years of hard workI wouldn't just throw them away.
A cold smirk touched my lips. And why should I? Your life is a life, but hers isnt? The ectopic pregnancy patient is showing signs of massive internal bleeding. If your tantrum delays her surgery and something happens to her, are you prepared to take responsibility for her death?

03.
If Monica had an ounce of sense, shed know what to do. Transfer immediately. Or have Ted use his money to fly in a team of specialists. That was always an option.
But she was arrogant, banking on her youth and fame, and determined to break me. What do I care about her surgery? You just dont want to operate on me. Youre just jealous because your husband loves me!
And just like that, shed detonated the affair in the middle of the hospital corridor. Gasps rippled through the onlookers. The audacity of this woman was breathtaking.
Monica didnt care. This was her chance to dethrone me, to become the one and only Mrs. Vance. Ignoring the looks of disgust and shock, she pressed her attack. Arent doctors supposed to be professional? To separate their personal feelings from their duties? Right now, I am a patient. You cant refuse me. If you do, youre no better than a murderer.
A murderer? Was she serious? She wanted to use my own ethics against me?
I almost laughed. I pulled on my surgical mask and turned to leave. I have to prep. I dont have time for this melodrama. Get her transferred. If you hurry, you might still make it.
Seeing that her tactics werent working on me, Monicas face crumpled. She looked at Ted, her eyes brimming with tears. Honey, it hurts so much Im dying. Please, just ask her. I only want her to do the surgery.
When Ted met my gaze, he looked away, shame and guilt warring on his face. He never expected thisto be caught not just with his mistress, but with his mistress demanding his wife perform her life-or-death surgery.
But then his thoughts turned to our five years of marriage. Five years, and no children. Hed always blamed me. Monica had promised him a family, promised him an heir. He couldnt let her lose her womb, not when it meant the end of the Vance family line.
Steeling himself, he looked at me, his voice sharp with impatience. This has gone far enough, Evelyn. I know youre angry about the affair, but Monica is hurt. Your first duty as a doctor is to save lives. If you let her die, I swear to God, I will divorce you.
A bitter laugh caught in my throat. This was the man I had loved for five years? In this critical moment, he stood with her, letting her humiliate me.
But I wasn't afraid anymore. Our home, our marriage I could let it all burn. I had died once already. Did he really think I would let a man who betrayed me dictate my choices now?
Without turning back, I tossed over my shoulder, Then divorce it is. I hope you and your whore are very happy together.
Ted was stunned. He was used to the gentle, accommodating wife who catered to his every need. He never imagined I had this fire in me. He, Ted Vance, scion of the Vance family, was being publicly shamed.
My back was already to him as I walked away. He knew he couldnt drag me out of the hospital to confront me during work hours. All he could do was hiss in impotent fury, Fine! Youll regret this, Evelyn!
I ignored him, pushing through the doors into the sterile prep room, immersing myself in my work. As the heavy steel door swung shut behind me, it sealed off the chaos. In that moment, nothing else mattered. I was a surgeon. My only focus was my patient and getting her off my operating table alive.
Outside that door, in the hospital corridor, the drama continued.
Monica was still hysterical. I dont care! I want her! If she doesnt do my surgery, Ill die right here, in your hospital!
Ted tried to reason with her. Monica, shes already in another operation. It could be hours before shes out. Your body cant wait that long. Let me get you transferred. St. Catherines is only three miles away; theyre one of the best public hospitals in the city. Theyll take care of you.
If Monica hadn't insisted the ambulance bring her here, she would have been taken to a top-tier trauma center much closer to the crash site, not this high-end private facility.
Mr. Davies was also panicking, terrified that Monicas stubbornness would lead to her death on his watch, creating a media firestorm. He chimed in, Hes right, Miss Reed. Dr. Albright is retired, and our other senior surgeon is on vacation. Besides Dr. Hayes, the only other person available is Dr. Torres, and shes less experienced. For your own safety, I strongly advise a transfer.
But Monica wasnt listening. All she could see was the title of Mrs. Vance, glimmering just within her reach.
How long will her surgery take? she demanded. Ill wait.
Seeing her resolve, Davies had no choice. He had a nurse move her to an inpatient room to run a full diagnostic panel, while another was sent to ask the scrub nurse in my OR for an estimated time.
The answer came back quickly: Best case, an hour or two. Worst case, could be seven or eight.
If Monica had listened then, she could have saved her uterus.
But she was resolute. Im waiting. Schedule me as her next surgery. Get me prepped.
With a face as white as the hospital sheets, Monica allowed the nurses to start the pre-operative procedures. Davies and Ted were ushered out of the room.
Terrified, Ted called his assistant. Get me the best surgeons from every hospital nearby. I dont care what it costs, get them over here now!
Monica overheard him from inside the room and shrieked, No! I want Evelyn! Dont you dare call anyone else, or we are through!
Ted had no choice but to cancel the call.
And so, Monica waited. Pale, breathing from an oxygen mask, she even found the energy to record a short video for her fans, playing the victim.
Half an hour later, a pool of dark red blood suddenly blossomed on the white sheets beneath her.

04.
Five hours later, the surgery was over.
Staring at the successfully closed incision, I handed the hemostats to my assistant, my forehead slick with sweat. The rest is up to you.
I stumbled back, leaning against the cool wall of the operating room for support. My legs felt like jelly; my whole body was trembling from the prolonged concentration and stress. I started to slide down the wall, utterly spent.
A nurse rushed to my side. Dr. Hayes, are you okay?
Wiping the sweat from my brow, I nodded.
Just like in my last life, the patient had started to hemorrhage midway through the procedure. But this time, I was prepared. I fought back and won, saving her life. We had to remove one of her fallopian tubes, and the blood loss was significant, but with proper recovery, she would still have a chance to conceive one day.
As I walked out of the OR into the long, quiet corridor, I felt a wave of exhaustion. All the other surgical suites were closed and silent, but for a split second, I thought I heard Monicas voice, crying out in pain.
It was probably just a hallucination, my mind playing tricks on me after the stress of the day.

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