---- The last time he smashed a wine bottle in front of me, I'd been taking my meds. The shards soaked the pills, ruining them. Itried to explain, raising my head "it's because last time you-" But before | could finish, his phone rang Ethan answered immediately. "Maddie? What's wrong?" His voice was the gentlest I'd ever heard it On the other end, Maddie's voice trembled, tearful and pitiful. "Mr. Harrington, I've been so shaken up since last time | couldn't sleep. | was going to see a doctor, but I got into a car accident instead..." "| didn't know who else to call..." Ethan, filled with concern, rushed to reassure her. "Stay where you are, don't be scared. I'm coming right now." Doubled over in pain, tasting blood at the back of my throat, | called out to him. ---- "Ethan... can you take me to the hospital?" He turned around, irritated, and kicked my desk. "Vivian, you're a grown woman. Can't you go to the hospital by yourself?" "Maddie's younger; she doesn't know anything..." But that "young girl" Ethan spoke of so fondly was only five years younger than me. The door slammed shut with a deafening bang, shaking the floor. Through blurred tears, | watched as Ethan walked away without looking back.