Caleb thought nothing of blocking a doctor from boarding by taking the last seats on a flight. But when a chain of misfortunes unraveled midair, his ruthless choice returned to haunt him in ways he never expected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr. Julia Harrington rushed through the sliding glass doors of the airport, her carry-on bouncing at her side and her purse slung haphazardly over one shoulder. She had barely made it through traffic and security, and her nerves were fraying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A patient\u2019s life depended on her getting to Santa Monica before the night was over. The hospital there had requested her specifically for a complicated cardiac surgery. Every second mattered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To her relief, the check-in counter wasn\u2019t overcrowded. Only a short line remained, and Julia exhaled a shaky breath. Maybe luck was finally on her side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When it was her turn to step forward, disaster struck. Her purse strap slipped off her shoulder, and the contents of her bag\u2014wallet, medical papers, stethoscope, a small notebook, loose change\u2014spilled across the glossy airport floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Julia crouched quickly, scrambling to gather her things, her cheeks burning at the inconvenience of it all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At that very moment, a man and woman swept up to the counter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ll take two tickets to Santa Monica. Now, please,\u201d the man demanded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The airline attendant, a young man with a crisp uniform and tired eyes, froze. His name badge read Owen<\/em>. He shifted uncomfortably before replying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe only have two seats left.\u201d His gaze flicked toward Julia, who was still kneeling, trying desperately to collect her scattered belongings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Julia straightened just enough to speak, her stethoscope dangling from her hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPlease, I need one of those seats. I\u2019m a surgeon, and this is an emergency. A patient\u2019s life depends on me making this flight.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Also Read : Users React to Melania Trump\u2019s New Official Portrait \u2013 Photo<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The man didn\u2019t even glance at her. He slapped a credit card onto the counter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe tickets are ours. Book them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n His partner, a gentle-looking woman with auburn hair and worried eyes, hesitated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCaleb, maybe we should let her have one of the seats? She said it\u2019s an emergency.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n But Caleb brushed her off with a curt shake of his head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\u2019re not rearranging our plans for a stranger. End of story.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Julia rose to her feet, desperation tightening her voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPlease, I\u2019m begging you. Someone will die if I don\u2019t make it there in time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Caleb finally turned toward her, his expression cold and dismissive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLife\u2019s tough. We all have problems.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n With that, he pushed the credit card closer to Owen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFinish the booking.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Owen hesitated for half a second, then processed the tickets. Caleb accepted the boarding passes with a smug smile, while Julia\u2019s shoulders sagged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The woman beside him gave Julia an apologetic look, her lips parting as though to speak, but Caleb tugged her arm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLet\u2019s go, Lydia,\u201d he said, ushering her away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Julia\u2019s voice quivered when she murmured, \u201cThank you for at least understanding,\u201d in Lydia\u2019s direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then she turned back to Owen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIs there any other flight? Anything at all?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Owen\u2019s fingers flew across the keyboard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThere was one seat left on the later flight, but\u2026\u201d He paused, grimacing. \u201cIt just got booked. I\u2019m so sorry, Doctor. I can put you on standby.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Julia nodded, forcing composure, though her stomach knotted with frustration. Time was slipping away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meanwhile, Caleb and Lydia walked briskly toward their gate. Lydia\u2019s conscience gnawed at her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHow could you be so indifferent back there?\u201d she asked quietly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Caleb barely looked up from his phone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe can\u2019t fix everyone\u2019s problems, Lydia. We stick to our plans. That\u2019s life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She shook her head. \u201cSometimes, I wonder if you ever think about anyone besides yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n They rounded a corner and collided with another couple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n