He Spread My Rumors, So I Locked Him Up

Chapter 2

I let out a bitter laugh. "By pinning this on me, do you really think they'll get away with it?"

Beckett frowned. "I told everyone you were the one who pursued them. Once enough people believe that story, no one will bother looking into the truth."

I stared at him, completely stunned by his twisted reasoning.

"Then why don't you just call the police?"

A flash of impatience crossed his face.

"How many times do I have to explain this? If the police get involved, everyone will find out Sloane was assaulted..."

"So your solution is to let those animals walk free and make me carry all of this instead?"

He lowered his head, his voice turning defensive.

"There was no other way. Sloane's reputation matters more."

Sloane's reputation mattered, but mine could be destroyed without a second thought?

Tears blurred my vision.

"Even if you make them clear my name later, who will believe me? Everywhere I go, people will whisper behind my back, 'Look, that's the woman who slept with more than a dozen men.' This stain will follow me for the rest of my life."

Panic flashed across his face.

"That won't happen. I had all of them sign written statements..."

His words gave him away.

"What exactly do those statements say?"

He hesitated for a long moment. "They say... if they refuse to testify on your behalf, they'll face legal consequences for what they did to you."

I laughed in disbelief. "Beckett, you call this clearing my name? You're making those rumors impossible to erase. To protect Sloane, you even created filthy lies about your own wife?"

"Keep your voice down! Her father saved my father's life. I can't turn my back on that."

He glanced around nervously. Only after making sure no one was nearby did he finally relax.

Through my tears, I let out a hollow laugh.

"So this is how you repay that debt? By sacrificing me?"

I looked at him.

"Fine. Go be with Sloane. I want a divorce."

Shock flashed across his face.

"You're divorcing me over this?"

"Beckett Ward! The hospital is about to fire me because of these accusations!"

I shouted his name at the top of my lungs.

His lips twitched.

"The disciplinary decision hasn't even been announced yet. There's still time to fix this. Even if they dismiss you, I can talk to the administrators after things settle down and get your job back. Everything will be fine."

"It won't be the same anymore..."

Beckett's frustration grew.

"What makes it so different? You're not the only one people gossip about. Haven't I endured rumors too? I told you I don't care what people say. Why can't you just let this go?"

I stared at him, unable to believe he still didn't understand.

"Because you destroyed a part of me just to protect Sloane's reputation."

His self-righteous tone made me sick.

I turned and left without another word, going straight to a friend's house.

I didn't see Beckett again until the day the hospital announced my disciplinary decision.

The meeting, titled "Professional Ethics and Conduct Review," was held in the hospital's main conference hall. Department chiefs and head nurses sat on both sides of the long conference table.

The director slammed his thermos onto the table.

"Elowen Ward, you know exactly why you're here today. Eleven male staff members have filed a joint complaint accusing you of having loose morals, deliberately pursuing them, and maintaining inappropriate relationships with multiple men over an extended period."