My Ex's Ten Life Sentences

The night I went to the ER with stabbing stomach pains, my boyfriend, Owen, was right beside me.

But before I could even finish describing the symptoms, the on-call physician cut me off with a dismissive wave.

I told you last time, you can't push ten abortions! the doctor snapped.

You insisted it wasn't the fathers baby, that you had to go through with itI cant do anything for you now!

I started to deny it, then, realizing the slander, I grew angry and demanded to speak to her supervisor.

Owen, however, put a hand on my arm, pulling me toward the cubicle next door.

I know you're not that kind of person, honey. But right now, we need to focus on your pain. Well come back and file a complaint later.

But we never filed that complaint. That encounter went viral online.

My reputation was destroyed.

Swallowed by the publics scorn and vicious mockery, I fell into a crushing depression and eventually took my own life.

After I died, the doctor offered a tearful apology.

"I just saw how much pain she was in and wanted to distract her. How was I supposed to know she was that fragile?"

Owen, meanwhile, was heartbroken.

She probably had a guilty conscience, hed said. Dont blame yourself for a thing.

When I opened my eyes again, I was back.

I jerked my hand free from Owens grip and dialed the non-emergency line.

Hello, Im at St. Judes ER. Ive just been told Ive had ten abortions without my knowledge, and I suspect Ive been systematically drugged.

1

"Pain is exactly what you deserve."

The doctor, Sasha Reed, looked at me with open contempt. "An abortion is common, but it's not 'zero-harm.' This stomach pain is just the startthere's worse waiting down the line."

She offered a cruel smile. "But you probably don't care about that. Aside from your hair, you're a mess from head to toe. You've probably already gotten used to it, right?"

Yet, when Sasha turned to my boyfriend, Owen Garrett, the change was instantaneous. Her expression softened, becoming a sickening blend of warmth and obvious flirtation.

It took less than a second for me to realize: I was back. I had been reborn.

In my last life, it had gone exactly like this. My gastroenteritis flared up, leaving me twisted with pain, and Sashawithout running a single test, just scanning my insurance cardlaunched into her fabricated rant. It had nearly killed me then, just from the shock.

Id been so desperate for relief that I hadn't erupted in the moment.

The next day, Sasha had posted a heavily edited, subtly coded video of my admission online.

It is so hard being a doctor these days. Ten abortions and you come to me asking why your stomach hurts? Youre lucky its just your stomach, shed written.

You weren't there, but the way she looked at meyoud think I was one of the scumbags who got her pregnant, not the doctor trying to help.

Though Sasha had tried to obscure my identity, the internet had "recognized" me, and the hate had been immediate. I had tried to explain my innocence, that I was careful, that the rumors were insane.

But no one had believed me.

If you didnt do it, why did you run? A normal person would fight, scream, and file a complaint.

The doctor was just trying to help, and you just up and left. Youre clearly guilty.

Thank god the doctor released the video first, otherwise the psycho patient would have blamed her for medical malpractice!

The spiral of online hatred had led to my depression, and finally, to my ridiculous, messy death.

2

The memory of that final, crushing despair had strangely dulled the physical pain this time around.

I didn't panic. I pushed Owens hand away and looked at Sasha, my voice calm and even. Dr. Reed, is this a joke, or are you being serious?

My composure caught Sasha off guard. She froze for a beat.

But a woman who can brazenly lie to a patients face has formidable nerve. She quickly regained her poise. "Of course, Im serious. Im a doctor. Why would I lie?

I used to work in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Im just rotating through the ER right now. We're old friends, Audrey. Don't pretend you don't know me.

Sasha then turned her attention to Owen.

Which boyfriend are you, exactly? Number three? Number five? I dont think Ive seen you before. She usually has a rotating cast of characters that accompany her.

Owen didn't answer. He was clenching his jaw, his thigh muscles twitching as he desperately tried to suppress a laugh.

Last time, he had simply pulled me away, assuring me of his trust. Back then, I found his loyalty touching. Now, I found it nauseatingly funny.

Of course, he believed me. He and Sasha knew better than anyone how truly innocent I was.

My expression remained placid. "This is my boyfriend, Owen Garrett. I have never had an abortion, and I have certainly never visited the OB/GYN with any 'other men.'"

Sasha feigned a dramatic understanding.

Ah, I see. This must be the main squeeze, then?

She nodded sagely. That explains why youre trying to play the victim, pretending Im joking. Okay, fine. Audrey Hollis is right. I was just joking. It's not ten abortions, its appendicitis. Or maybe bad takeout. Well get you scanned right away. Go.

Though her words seemed to be a retraction, her tone was laced with condescending sarcasm, a clear attempt to signal that she was only "giving in" because she was forced to.

3

Sasha handed me the requisition forms for the lab work and scans. I didn't move.

I fixed my eyes on hers. An apology isn't going to be enough. Since you claim I've had ten abortions, Im going to need you to print out my medical records. The full history."

I raised my phone slightly. If you cant produce them...

"...I wont be dropping this.

Sasha's face darkened. She slammed her palm down on the desktop. What are you doing? Are you trying to threaten me? Blackmail me into silence?

I admit, I violated policy by discussing your private health matters. But I was trying to save you from yourself! Your attitude makes it sound like Im the villain here.

I ignored her histrionics and simply repeated the request. The records.

Seeing Sashas anger, Owen finally stepped in, abandoning his stifled laughter. "Audrey, stop making a scene. Its obviously a mix-up. Someone who looks like you, or has a similar name. The doctor made an honest mistake.

He lowered his voice, trying to be soothing. I trust you, honey. I know the kind of person you are. We dont need to waste time here. Your stomach is killing you. Let's go get checked out, and we can file a formal complaint later.

I didn't hesitate. I slapped him across the face. Hard.

Are you seriously this spineless? A woman just slandered me in front of you, and your only solution is to run and hide?

The force of the blow stunned Owen into silence.

Sashas face twisted between pity for Owen and pure venom for me. You did something to betray your boyfriend, and now you have the gall to lash out at him?

"I was going to let you walk away with some shred of dignity, maybe even keep this perfect man. But since you want to push it, have a look!

She spun the computer monitor around with a furious swipe. My mind went blank. The screen was a dense forest of entries, every single one listing a consultation or a procedure in the OB/GYN department.

Based on this evidence, Sasha wasn't the liar. I was.

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