The Strength to Start Over

"Take it away." I pushed the box of macadamia nuts back across the desk. "I'm allergic to nuts."

Amanda froze. Panic flashed across her face. "Allergic? Why have you never said that before?"

Donovan frowned. Impatience crept into his voice. "Cedric, I had someone track those down for me. They're top quality. If you don't appreciate it, fine. But do you really need to make up excuses just to kill the mood?"

The trace of guilt on Amanda's face vanished at once.

"Enough, Cedric!" she snapped. "Don meant well. He didn't know you were allergic. If you don't want to eat them, just leave them there. Why make a scene in front of everyone? Do you only feel satisfied when you ruin the atmosphere?"

She grabbed Donovan's arm and stormed out, her expression cold.

I watched them disappear down the hallway. Then I tore the carbon copy from the prescription pad and slipped it into the medical file.

…

That afternoon, I had barely reached the hospital entrance when I received a complaint notice from the medical affairs office.

The office door slammed open.

Amanda rushed in, her face dark with fury.

Donovan followed behind her. A rash had broken out across his neck and arms, and he scratched at it irritably.

"Cedric! What the hell did you prescribe for him?" Her eyes were bloodshot. She grabbed my collar with both hands. "Don's covered in rashes now. Did you do this on purpose? Did you?"

Donovan clenched his teeth. His stare turned vicious. "Cedric, I always thought you were a decent man. I didn't expect you to play dirty behind people's backs under the excuse of your job.

"If you don't like me, we can settle it outside. But secretly prescribing the wrong medication? What kind of man does that?"

His accusation ignited Amanda's anger. "Cedric! What do you have to say for yourself?"

I pried her hands off my collar.

"I prescribed vitamins," I said coldly. "How exactly do vitamins cause an allergic reaction? Use your brain."

"Vitamins? Who are you trying to fool?" Amanda roared. The veins in her temples bulged. "The proof is right in front of us. Am I blind? If anything happens to Don, I'll make you pay for it."

She suddenly grabbed the box of macadamia nuts that still sat on my desk.

Before I could react, she tore open the package and marched toward me with a twisted expression. "If you enjoy hurting people so much, then you can find out what an allergic reaction feels like."

She pinned my shoulder with one hand and shoved a fistful of nuts toward my mouth with the other.

"Amanda! Are you insane? Let go!"

I struggled, but several crushed pieces forced their way down my throat. My airway swelled almost instantly, and my vision blurred.

Just before I blacked out, I saw Donovan standing nearby, watching with cold satisfaction.

…

When I woke, the hospital director stood beside the bed. An IV line hung from my hand. The swelling had eased, and my breathing felt clearer.

Amanda stood nearby. The moment she saw my eyes open, she turned to the director and spoke with sharp indignation. "Dr. Johnson, this man is narrow-minded. He deliberately prescribed the wrong medication to harm my friend. I hope the hospital handles this fairly."

Ted's face darkened as he looked at me. "Dr. Lunsford, what exactly happened?"

I turned toward the nurse standing nearby. "Pull today's prescription record."

The nurse quickly printed it and handed it to the director.

He glanced at the sheet, then slapped it down in front of Amanda. "Dr. Lunsford prescribed Vitamin B tablets. How could that possibly cause such a severe allergic reaction?"

Amanda froze and stared at the paper. It clearly read: Vitamin B.

Donovan's irritated expression stiffened for a split second. Panic flickered across his eyes.

He coughed and quickly stepped back. "Manda, maybe I ate some bad seafood at lunch. I told you it might not be the medicine. You got too worked up earlier. Now everyone looks bad."