I’m Dr. Green, and I’ve seen countless emergencies during my decade-long night shifts in the ER. But nothing could prepare me for the night Jerry burst through the doors with his unconscious wife, Iris. That night changed everything.
It was a quiet shift until Jerry arrived, panic-stricken, carrying Iris. “Please, help her!” he begged. “Don’t leave me, honey!”
We quickly moved Iris to a bed and started assessing her condition. Jerry’s desperation was palpable as he clutched her hand. “She just collapsed,” he said, his voice trembling. “One moment she was fine, and then…”
As we worked to stabilize Iris, Jerry began talking more. “I’m Jerry,” he said, trying to maintain composure. “She’s my high school sweetheart. We’ve been together for 30 years, with three kids and two grandkids.”
I reassured him, focusing on Iris’s vitals. “It sounds like you have a wonderful life together,” I said.
Then Jerry’s voice dropped to a whisper. “This is a secret, right?” He continued before I could respond, “I found texts on her phone from our neighbor. I got so angry… I put pills in her juice. I didn’t mean to hurt her.”
A chill ran down my spine. “Jerry, what you’ve just admitted is a crime,” I said, my heart racing. “I’m obligated to report this.”
Jerry’s face went white. “What will happen to me?” he asked, panic rising in his voice.
“I have to report this,” I said firmly. “It’s serious. Your wife’s life was at risk.”
Jerry’s pleas were desperate. “I didn’t mean to hurt her! I just lost control!” But I had no choice. I called the authorities, feeling the weight of his confession and the gravity of my duty.
When the police arrived, Jerry was arrested, his world unraveling as he sobbed, “Please, no! I love her!” The ER was filled with stunned silence as he was taken away.
Iris eventually woke up, confused and weak. “Where am I?” she asked.
“You’re in the hospital,” I said gently. “You collapsed, but you’re going to be okay.”
“Where’s Jerry?” she asked, concerned.
I took a deep breath. “Jerry is in police custody. He admitted to poisoning you.”
Iris’s eyes widened in shock. “What? No, that can’t be true. Jerry would never do that.”
“I’m so sorry, Iris,” I said softly. “He confessed. He was jealous of texts he found from a neighbor.”
Tears streamed down her face. “How could he do this? We’ve been together so long.”
In the following days, Iris’s family and friends rallied around her. The community was shocked by Jerry’s actions. Iris decided to file for divorce and began therapy to heal from the betrayal.
The legal process against Jerry was swift. He faced charges of attempted murder, and the community struggled to understand how such a loving husband could commit such a crime.
Jerry’s actions were a grim reminder of the destructive power of jealousy. As Iris began her journey of healing, the community grappled with the painful reality of what had transpired.
