Part 2My Ex's Ten Life Sentences

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

I didn't panic. I pushed Owen’s 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 patient’s face has formidable nerve. She quickly regained her poise. "Of course, I’m serious. I’m a doctor. Why would I lie?”

“I used to work in Obstetrics and Gynecology. I’m 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 don’t think I’ve 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 you’re trying to play the victim, pretending I’m joking. Okay, fine. Audrey Hollis is right. I was just joking. It's not ten abortions, it’s… appendicitis. Or maybe bad takeout. We’ll 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.