The Bomb and the Weight of My Choice

Patrick's roar made my ears ring. "The liquid nitrogen caused metal fatigue. Why didn't you warn me?"

I stared at the man who had shattered my wrist just hours ago, now blaming me for not predicting the fallout of his actions.

I forced a bitter laugh. "High-precision equipment, flash-frozen. Failure is normal, isn't it?"

My calm words snapped his frayed nerves.

"Shut up!" He seized my uninjured arm, dragging me out like a madman. "Fix it! Rita's still under investigation. She can't take more blame."

It was Rita again. All he cared about was her.

I stumbled, my broken wrist dangling. Each jolt sent agony through me. With all my strength, I wrenched free and thrust my mangled hand in his face. "Look! My hand is ruined!"

His pupils shrank, guilt flashing before giving way to mania. "It's fine. You're so skilled. You can do it one-handed, right?"

He looked at me, almost pleading. "For Rita, try. Just once."

The command room door flew open. Clifford stormed in with guards, his eyes locking on my bloodied hand. His rage seemed to ignite the air. "Take him down!"

The guards lunged, pinning Patrick to the ground. I exhaled and collapsed backward, caught by a pair of steady hands.

I thought it was over, but Patrick jerked his head up, pointing at me with a feral scream. "It's her! She sabotaged the server out of jealousy for Rita's talent. And she broke her hand to frame me!"

I stared incredulously at the man I'd loved for a decade. He was my husband who shared my bed, but he had no shame.

My mind went blank. I was too stunned to argue.

Rita was brought in, sobbing hysterically. When she saw Patrick restrained, her cries intensified. Patrick seized his chance, shouting at Clifford, "General! Rita can sense energy flows. Let her try! She's the only one who can save the server."

Rita's sobs paused. She looked at Patrick, then at me and Clifford. Caught in the moment, she nodded through tears.

My strength drained, but I managed a hoarse shout. "No! The core's overloaded. Touching it will trigger a chain explosion. Everyone will die!"

Sadly, no one listened. To them, I was just a jealous, unhinged woman.

Two staff members pushed Rita toward the humming, overheating server. I watched, helpless, as her trembling hand reached for it.

Time seemed to freeze. Her fingers neared the machine. It was all over.

I closed my eyes, bracing for the explosion and flames that would consume us all.