While I Fought for Breath, He Peeled Shrimp for His Intern

It was the annual company barbecue.
I took a bite of the vegetable salad, drenched in some kind of creamy dressing.
A second later, my lips started to tingle. My throat swelled shut, and I couldn't breathe.
Realizing it was an allergic reaction, I shoved my phone at my boyfriend, Liam.
Call 911.
Liam took the phone.
He unlocked it, then handed it to his intern, Mia.
You do it. My hands are shaking.
Mia took the phone and swiped across the screen a few times.
A moment passed.
She sent a link to a handbag to Liam.
Liam, what do you think of this one?
By now, I couldnt speak at all, only a choked, gurgling sound escaping my throat.
Liam studied the picture of the bag intently.
The colors not right for you.
He took the phone back and opened the camera, pointing it at my swollen, disfigured face.
Mia leaned in for a look.
Liam, stop. Rachel doesnt look good like this.

1
With Mias words, Liam put his phone away, his brow furrowed in annoyance as he looked at me.
Rachel, did you just eat something bad? he snapped, impatience lacing his voice. Dont scare Mia. You know how sensitive she is.
I shook my head frantically, forcing a ragged hiss of air from my constricted throat. I raised a hand, pointing desperately at my backpack.
My life-saving medicine was in there. My EpiPen.
Liam completely misunderstood. His expression soured.
What the hell are you trying to do? he demanded. Cant you just use your words? Whats with all the pointing?
Our colleagues started to gather around us, murmuring and pointing.
Hey, whats wrong with Rachel?
Her face is swollen up like a balloon. Is it an allergic reaction?
God, that looks terrifying.
Amid the chatter, Mia suddenly burst into tears with a loud wah. She threw herself into Liams arms, her shoulders shaking.
Liam, did I do something wrong? she sobbed. Is Rachel mad because I was showing you that bag? Does she think I was trying to stop you from calling for help?
Liam immediately wrapped his arms around her, patting her back soothingly.
Its not your fault, Mia, he murmured. You didnt do anything wrong.
He turned to glare at me, his eyes filled with resentment.
Shes just throwing another one of her princess tantrums, trying to make everyone pay attention to her. Just ignore her. Were not getting involved.
Black spots danced in my vision as my consciousness began to fade. With the last ounce of my strength, I crawled toward my backpack.
My fingertips were just about to touch the zipper when a polished leather shoe stomped down hard on the back of my hand.
Pain shot up my arm, but I couldnt even scream.
He loomed over me, his voice dripping with contempt.
Rachel, have you made enough of a scene? Are you happy now that the whole company is laughing at you?
From behind him, Mia peeked out, tears still glistening on her cheeks, but her eyes held a triumphant, vicious glint. She leaned closer, her voice a soft whisper only the three of us could hear.
Rachel, did you like the peanut sauce? I went to three different stores to find that special extra-rich blend, just for you.
My world narrowed to a pinpoint.
I forced my other hand up, pointing a trembling finger at Mias innocent-looking face, trying to show Liam the truth.
Seeing my gesture, Liams face darkened. He shoved me away forcefully.
Now youre trying to hit her? Rachel, stop bullying Mia! Shes timid, dont you dare scare her!
The surrounding colleagues immediately jumped to his defense, their words a torrent of condemnation.
Yeah, Rachel, youre going way too far.
Mias just a new intern. Shes so sweet and fragile, how could you be so mean to her?
Liam, your girlfriend has a serious attitude problem. You really need to get her under control.
My breathing grew faint, my vision blurring into a meaningless smear of color.
I had been with Liam for two years. He always thought I was just an ordinary girl. Todays barbecue was supposed to be my final test for him before I decided to marry him.
Through the last slivers of light, I saw Liam holding a weeping Mia, gently wiping the tears from her face.
Finally, someone in the crowd noticed something was truly wrong.
I think shes really in trouble! Look, her lips are turning blue!
Quick! Someone call an ambulance!
In the ensuing chaos, someone finally remembered to dial 911.
I collapsed onto the ground, my body beginning to convulse uncontrollably.
As all eyes were on me, Mia subtly hooked my backpack with the tip of her foot, sending it sliding several feet away.
My life-saving EpiPen rolled out, landing right underneath the scorching hot grill.
No one noticed.
Liam crouched down, patting my bloated cheek with a show of false concern, his voice sharp with irritation.
Rachel, stop faking it. Its getting old. The ambulance is on its way, what more do you want? Everyones watching. If you keep this up, Im going to get really angry.
My consciousness sank into an endless darkness.
In the distance, I could hear the faint wail of a siren growing closer.
Liam was still cooing at the girl in his arms, his voice dripping with affection.
Dont be scared. Shes fine. She just loves to make a big deal out of nothing.

2
Patient is in critical condition! Move! Make way!
Wheres the family? We need someone to ride with us to the hospital!
The paramedics voices echoed around me. I felt myself being lifted onto a stretcher by a flurry of hands.
Liam raised his hand slightly. Im her boyfriend. Well go with you.
But the moment he climbed into the ambulance, he sat down next to Mia, not even sparing me a single glance. He pulled the still-sniffling girl into his arms, letting her rest her head against his chest.
Mia trembled in his embrace.
Liam, Im so scared, she whimpered. Rachel is she going to die? If she dies, is it all my fault? Will the police arrest me?
Liam stroked her back, his brow creased with concern.
Dont be ridiculous. It has nothing to do with you, he said, his tone firm. Its her own fault for having such a weak constitution. Always having some reaction. Who even knows what shes allergic to? Shes always so damn dramatic.
A paramedic, busy fitting an oxygen mask over my face, turned to ask Liam, Does the patient have a history of allergies? Was she exposed to anything unusual?
Without looking up, Liam kept his eyes fixed on Mia. I dont know. Im not really sure. Shes usually perfectly healthy. Nothing like this has ever happened before.
I struggled to open my mouth, to tell the doctor it was peanuts. He knew. He always knew I was allergic to peanuts.
A memory surfaceda company dinner from when we first started dating. A plate of Kung Pao chicken was set in front of me. He had meticulously picked out every single peanut with his chopsticks.
My Rachel could die from eating peanuts, hed said to everyone at the table. I have to watch out for her.
A sharp-eyed nurse noticed my distress. She quickly grabbed my dirt-smudged backpack and started rummaging through it. In a moment, she pulled out a medical information card.
Found it! Severe peanut allergy!
She looked up, her voice sharp as she questioned Liam. If its a severe allergy, why wasnt her emergency medication used? Her bag should contain an adrenaline auto-injector!
Liam finally glanced over, his expression one of pure, innocent confusion. What medication? What injector? I dont know anything about that. She never told me.
Mia immediately lifted her head from his chest, rushing to explain. Rachel was pointing at her bag earlier. I thought she wanted a tissue or something. I had no idea it was for medicine.
As she spoke, fresh tears rolled down her cheeks. Its all my fault. I honestly didnt know it was life-saving medicine, or I would have gotten it for her right away.
Liam instantly defended her. How could you be blamed? Were not doctors. How were we supposed to know? Dont cry, Mia. Youre not as pretty when you cry.
The ambulance sped through the city. I could feel my life slipping away. And my boyfriend, not six feet from me, had pulled out his phone. He was scrolling through funny short videos, holding the screen up for Mia.
Look at this one. This cat is so dumb. Isnt that hilarious?
The paramedics were inserting an IV, pushing antihistamines into my veins. And my boyfriend was whispering sweet nothings to another woman.
Just then, Mia suddenly stood up, swaying with the motion of the vehicle.
Oops, I was just going to grab a bottle of water.
She stretched out her arm, pretending to reach for a water bottle in the corner. As the ambulance braked suddenly, she lost her balance, and her hand slammed hard against my oxygen mask.
The mask flew off, landing beside me.
My already shallow breathing stopped completely.
The monitor beside me shrieked as my oxygen saturation plummeted.
What are you doing?! the nurse screamed, shoving Mia away as she scrambled to replace my mask.
Mia covered her mouth with her hands, her eyes wide with feigned horror. Im so sorry, Im so sorry! I really didnt mean to! The ride is so bumpy, I just lost my footing.
Liam pulled her back into his arms. Its okay, dont be scared. It wasnt your fault. He turned to the nurse. It was a bumpy ride, thats all. Why are you yelling at her?
The nurse was so furious at his attitude that she was speechless, managing only to shoot them a venomous glare. Both of you sit down and dont move again!
The ambulance finally arrived at the hospital. I was wheeled rapidly into the emergency room.
Just as the doors swung shut, I heard Mia rub her stomach and say in a delicate voice, Liam, all that stress made me hungry. My tummys rumbling.
Liam immediately pulled out his phone.
What do you want? Hot pot? Barbecue? Ill order us something right now.

3
The patient has severe laryngeal edema, her airway is closing! We need to perform an emergency tracheotomy, now!
Another few minutes and she could suffer irreversible brain damage, or even die! We need a signature from the family, right now!
A doctor burst out of the ER, holding a critical condition notice and a surgical consent form.
Liam casually took the pen but made no move to sign. He scanned the papers over and over before finally looking up at the doctor.
Doctor, I have a question about this procedure he began slowly. Will will it leave a scar on her neck? Are you even her boyfriend?
The doctor stared at him in disbelief. Sir, your girlfriend is on the verge of death! This is about saving her life! And youre worried about a scar?
Beside him, Mia tugged on Liams sleeve, whispering, Liam, you know how much Rachel cares about her appearance. If she wakes up with an ugly scar on her neck, shell never forgive you. She might even get depressed.
Liams expression became even more conflicted. He twirled the pen in his fingers, refusing to sign.
Well is there a way to do it without leaving a scar? Maybe use better medicine, or some imported technique? Can we get the best surgeon available? Money is not an issue. Well pay whatever it costs.
The doctors temples throbbed with frustration. Do you think this is a supermarket where you can pick and choose? Im telling you, every second we waste is a second closer to her death! Every delay increases the damage to her brain! Now sign the damn form!
I was being wheeled out of the ER, on my way to the operating room. Through the crack in the door as it closed, I could see Liam still arguing with the doctor.
A few passing nurses couldnt stand it anymore and gathered around to confront him.
What is wrong with you? Are you insane?
Your girlfriend is dying and youre hung up on a scar?
Seriously, which is more important, a scar or her life? Are you really her boyfriend?
Faced with the accusations, Mia spread her arms to shield Liam. Her eyes were red as she pleaded with the nurses.
Please, dont blame Liam. He just loves Rachel so much that hes not thinking straight. Hes just trying to consider whats best for her in the long run.
She turned back to Liam, her eyes shimmering with tears. Liam, I trust you. I know that every decision you make is for Rachels own good. Dont listen to them. Just do what you think is right.
Her words were like a shot of adrenaline to his ego. He stood up straighter.
He looked the doctor dead in the eye. I need more time to consider this. As doctors, you have a responsibility to guarantee a perfect outcome, with no side effects. That includes scarring! Otherwise, I am not signing anything.
The doctor was too enraged to waste another breath on him. He spun around and yelled to the nurse behind him.
Were out of time! Call the department head immediately! Request an emergency authorization! Go! Go! Go!
The doors to the surgical wing slammed shut, cutting off the noise from the hallway.
Outside, Liam was loudly defending himself. Im doing this for her own good! Im being responsible!
Mia patted his back, comforting him. Liam, dont be angry. They dont understand how deeply you care. But I do. Youre the best boyfriend in the world.
Liam nodded, his face filled with gratitude. Youre the only one who gets me. He pulled out his phone and checked his food order.
Come on. Our milk tea should be here. Lets go wait by the entrance.

4
Patients blood pressure is dropping!
Cardiac arrhythmia detected! Get the defibrillator ready!
Increase the epinephrine drip!
Inside the operating room, it was controlled chaos.
I could feel my body growing cold.
Outside the closed doors, Mia was leaning on Liams shoulder, sipping her milk tea and pouting.
Liam, Im suddenly craving crawfish. The spicy kind. Like, really, really spicy.
Without a moments hesitation, Liam opened a food delivery app and ordered a fifty-dollar deluxe spicy crawfish platter.
While they waited for the food to arrive, he even found the energy to discuss a new project at work with Mia, strategizing how to present it to senior management to maximize his own credit.
A passing head nurse saw them and walked over, frowning.
Sir, this is an emergency area. There is a patient fighting for her life in there. We need the family to remain quiet.
Liam looked up, annoyed. Were we being loud? Are we interrupting you from saving the world?
The nurse, stunned by his brazen attitude, could only shake her head and walk away.
The food arrived quickly.
Liam took the bag and opened the containers on the bench right outside the ER doors.
The fiery, aromatic scent of chili and garlic instantly filled the sterile corridor.
Mia clapped her hands in delight at the sight of the bright red crawfish, then her lip jutted out.
But I dont want to peel them myself. I just got my nails done. What if they get dirty? And my hands will smell.
Liam pulled on a pair of disposable gloves. Ill peel them for you.
A moment later, a perfectly shelled, plump piece of tail meat was pinched between his fingers.
Here, Mia. Open up. Ahhh
Mia ate it in one bite. Liam, youre the best!
This was the scene that greeted Director Evans as he rushed down the hallway, several grim-faced department heads trailing behind him.
His sheer presence silenced the entire corridor.
Director Evans stopped directly in front of Liam. His voice was ice.
Move.
Liam, about to peel a second crawfish, looked up in confusion. Who are you? Cant you see were eating?
Director Evans glanced at the takeout containers on the floor, and his face turned to stone. Without another word, he shoved open the doors to the operating room and strode inside.
The doctors inside looked up and saw him as if he were a savior. Director Evans! What are you doing here?
Director Evans scanned the monitors, then looked at my condition on the operating table. His voice trembled with a rage so profound it was almost silent.
This is this is Rachel Vance! From Helios Global!
What in Gods name are you people doing! Why isnt she on a heart-lung machine? Who approved this conservative treatment plan!
The operating room fell into a dead silence.
Outside, Liam and Mia, who had been about to complain, froze, their expressions locked in place.
Helios Global.
Rachel Vance.
The two names combined like a bolt of lightning, striking them right between the eyes. The crawfish in Liams hand fell to the floor with a soft splat.

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