Chapter 3 — Worthy People Are Never Afraid to Start Again

I angrily raised my hand to slap her. At that moment, the room door was pushed open. Tham Ngon stepped forward, grabbed my wrist and jerked it aside.

"Manh Kieu! What are you doing?"

The same location suffered another impact. I was in so much pain that I couldn't stand up straight. The lower abdomen felt a dull pain as if it was falling, cold sweat soaked the back of my shirt. I gritted my teeth and couldn't say a word. Tham Ngon didn't seem to see my condition at all. He stood in front of Tran Lo, looking at me with cold eyes.

"Manh Kieu, have you caused enough trouble? This is a hospital, not a place for you to be harsh. Apologize to Tran Lo quickly!"

I struggled to raise my head, my face was drenched in sweat.

"Tham Ngon, are you blind? She pushed me on purpose!"

Seeing my unusual expression, his eyes paused for a moment. But it quickly became cold.

"I just saw you trying to hit her. She knows you're pregnant, how could she push you? Stop spewing blood!"

"Manh Kieu, you weren't like that before. Just because of a title, you moved your arms and legs. It really made me look at you with different eyes."

At that moment, Tran Lo's eyes turned red and he hid behind Tham Ngon, his voice choked.

"Mr. Ngon, leave it alone. Ms. Manh Kieu is pregnant so her emotions are unstable, I understand. She has more seniority than me, or the head doctor's position should be returned to her. Even the provincial leader's surgery let her do the main surgery..."

Her appearance of feeling sorry for herself and about to cry immediately turned her into a weak person being bullied by her seniors. There were already people standing outside the department door. There are both patients and family members. Every eye turned towards me.

“Normally he looks like a very good doctor, but who would have thought that behind him is this kind of person.”

"It's true that people know their faces but don't know their hearts. Who knows how much black money they've received."

"I'm pregnant but I still can't settle down. I stay at home to take care of my pregnancy and still want to keep my title."

I looked around at my colleagues in the department. Most people avoided my eyes. People bow their heads and pretend to be busy. People quietly retreated back. No one came forward to help me. The feeling of isolation creeps up my spine little by little. Compared to the pain in my waist, it made my heart colder. Tham Ngon heartbrokenly hugged Tran Lo in his arms. The voice was so gentle that it was strange.

"Lo Lo, you don't need to give her up. This slot is because you rely on your own ability."

But when he turned to look at me. His eyes were cold as ice.

"Immediately apologize to Tran Lo. Handwrite a three-thousand-word review. Tomorrow publicly review at the meeting. Cancel all yearly bonuses, and suspend work for self-criticism."

Listen to every word Tham Ngon says. My whole body trembled. Not out of anger. But because the heart has completely cooled down. I looked straight into his eyes. Every word.

“I'm not sorry.”

Tham Ngon's face immediately darkened.

“Manh Kieu, if you don't obey the leader, do you believe I will fire you?”

"No need."

“I resign.”

I withdrew my resignation letter and placed it firmly on the table. Tham Ngon's face became even more ugly.

“Manh Kieu, do you know what you are saying?”

I don't look at him. Quietly put the last thermos into the carton.

"I said, I resign.”

“Don't do it again.”

His face darkened.

“Are you planning to use quitting your job to threaten me? Do you think the Cardiology Department cannot do without you?”

“Whatever you think.”

Tran Lo stood next to him, pretending to advise.

“Ms. Manh Kieu, you are an older pregnant woman. Mr. Ngon only thinks about her health. Please don't use soft and tight strings to make things difficult for Mr. Ngon."

Tham Ngon seemed to have seen through all my thoughts. He smiled faintly, his expression full of certainty.

“Meng Kieu, your connections, network and resources are all with me. She is just a deputy head doctor. Leaving this hospital, you are nothing.”

“Then just try it.”

I turned around and walked away. His angry roar was immediately heard behind him.

“Manh Kieu, don't forget you're pregnant. What hospital would give up a high salary to hire a useless person who is about to go on maternity leave?”

My steps never stopped.

“There's no need for Director Tham to worry.”

“Manh Kieu, you will regret it!”

I turned my head and looked coldly straight at him.

“I really regret it.”

“Regret not waking up sooner.”

Having finished speaking, I held the cardboard box and walked towards the door. At the threshold, I suddenly stopped and turned back.

“The divorce agreement, I will send it to your email.”

Having finished speaking, I ignored Tham Ngon's pale face, picked up the cardboard box and left, never looking back. Leaving the department, I went straight to the Obstetrics Department to schedule an abortion procedure. After that, I found a lawyer friend and asked him to draft a divorce agreement and send it directly to Tham Ngon's email. Not long after, he immediately texted.

“Manh Kieu, what do you mean?”

“Just because of this little matter, you want to divorce me?”

“Are you planning to be a single mother?”

I don't bother to answer. Drive straight home. When it was time to change clothes, I saw a large bruise on my side. I raised my hand to gently touch my still flat stomach. Tears immediately rolled down. Look... Even your father doesn't pay any attention to you. Having given birth... Will anyone truly love me? I took out the suitcase from the corner of the room. Quietly pack up your clothes. Right at that moment. The smart door lock makes a sound. As soon as the door opened, Tham Ngon rushed in.

“Manh Kieu!”

“What do you mean?”

“Why schedule an abortion?”

I coldly glanced at him.

“Are you stupid?”

“Why do you keep asking why?”

“The meaning is exactly as it appears on the letter.”

“This baby, I don't need it anymore.”