The man who had abandoned me during our darkest days now looked incredibly small.

“This was never about you, Mark,” I said.

“It was about the kids who didn’t get their medicine.”

“You did this to yourself.”

Mark sneered, turning on his heel.

He walked out of the room, slamming the heavy oak door behind him.

The loud bang echoed through the boardroom, followed by a long, heavy silence.

The remaining board members looked down at their papers, none of them willing to meet my eyes.

Dr. Sterling exhaled slowly, rubbing his temples.

He looked at me, his expression weary but respectful.

“Thank you, Nurse Sullivan,” he said.

“It takes a great deal of courage to do what you did today.”

“I only did my job, Dr. Sterling,” I said.

“I will return to my shift now.”

“Of course,” he said, nodding.

“Take whatever time you need.”

I gathered my laptop and the physical file folder from the table.

My hands shook slightly as I zipped my bag closed.

The adrenaline was finally starting to fade, leaving a deep, heavy exhaustion in my bones.