Chapter 15: Barren Wife

Marcella's POV

By noon the story had reached every screen in St. Brendan's.

I saw it in the elevator, on a nurse's phone, and she hid it behind her back when she saw me.

I saw it on the lobby television, under a photograph of me in a gown at last year's gala, looking happy.

The article called me barren.

It said I had left a good man for lack of an heir, and that his childhood sweetheart was carrying one.

A source close to the family said Scott had been cleared of any problem three years ago.

I went up to the chief of staff's office anywaywhen he called for me, because I did not run from things.

The hospital's chief of staff was waiting inside, a tired man in a good tie.

"Dr. Sherman," he said. "I'm sorry. Please sit."

"I'll stand."

He slid a letter across the desk.

"Your privileges are suspended, effective today, pending a conduct review. It was requested by the Ellery Foundation."

"On what conduct?"

"Bringing the foundation into disrepute."

I read the letter.

At the bottom, over the foundation's seal, was a name I had never expected to see on my own suspension.

Dillon Ellery, Vice President.

"The foundation pays for a third of this hospital," the chief said, miserable. "I don't get a vote."

"I know you don't."

I folded the letter and put it in my pocket.

I walked down four flights of stairs, through the lobby, and out through the front doors onto the steps.

There were cameras.

I had known there would be.

Perhaps twenty people stood at the bottom of the steps with phones and microphones held up.

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