Page 20 of Rewind

“Can’t one of the nurses show me, she always seems distracted and I feel like I’m bothering her.”

Ethan couldn’t dispute that Amina had indeed seemed distracted lately but he wouldn’t admit that out loud to anyoneelse. “There’s no one who knows the system better than Amina. Ask her when she has some free time and I’m sure she’ll be happy to help you.”

“Seems to me like you’re giving Amina extra work. No wonder she comes home so tired all the time,” a man’s voice said from behind him.

That asshole.

Amina’s husband seemed to pop up at the office more often than Ethan cared to count. Ethan was only in the office a few times a week because he was at the hospital otherwise, but it seemed like whenever he was here, so was this guy.

He took a deep measured breath before turning to face the other man who’s slipped into the office without anyone noticing.

“Good afternoon, I take it you’re here to see Amina.” Ethan didn’t bother to conceal the contempt in his voice because he knew this man was harming Amina in some way. Whenever Ethan saw them together, Amina would looked extremely uneasy to the point of flinching when Mark would make the slightest movement.

He wanted to punch this motherfucker in the face so bad but Ethan realized it would only make the situation worse for Amina.

“Why else would I be here? Could you go tell, Amina I’m here. I’m going to take her out to lunch.”

“Does she know that? Dr. Carter and I had lunch plans for the office today and it’s my understanding that Amina is joining us.”

“Well, I guess Amina won’t be participating because I’m here now. She’s not answering her phone. Go fetch her for me.”

Ethan balled his fists at his sides. All it would take would be one punch and he was certain this fucker would fold. Men whoabused women were usually the type of cowards who wouldn’t challenge another man.

“First of all, if she’s not answering her phone, it probably means she’s busy and doesn’t have time to speak with you. Second, that’s not how you ask someone. I’m not a dog.”

The other man’s eyes widened briefly before his lips titled into a shit-eating grin. “Oh, my bad. I thought you people liked dogs. I meant no offense.”

This wasn’t the first time, Ethan had been hurled that offensive insult but coupled with the fact that this bastard was harming Amina made something within him snap.

“What the hell did you just say?”

Ethan advanced and just like the coward, Ethan knew he was, Mark held his hands up in supplication.

“Whoa, man. I didn’t realize you couldn’t take a joke.”

“What part was supposed to be funny?”

“Hey, I can go get Amina for you,” Susan interrupted.

“Dr. Han, I placed that order at Lucky’s, so the food should be here in a half hour.”

Ethan turned to see Amina walking down the hall toward him. She halted when her gaze connected to her husband’s. Her mouth fell open and her eyes widened.

“Ugh, Mark…what are you doing here? I-I wasn’t expecting you.”

Ethan’s protective instinct kicked in and he moved closer to Amina, placing his body in between her and her husband’s.

Mark glared at him and then at Amina. “Is there a problem with me dropping by to see my wife?”

Amina maneuvered her way around Ethan and hurried to Mark. “Of course not. I just didn’t think you would stop by the office today. Is there something you needed?”

“Get your purse. I’m taking you to lunch.” Though he spoke to Amina, his wary gaze remained on Ethan.

“I-I’m organizing lunch for the office. I can’t today.”

“So what you’re saying is you’d rather work than to go to lunch with your husband?”

“Of course not, but I have an obligation and I don’t want to back out of it.”

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