Celeste, a renowned surgeon recently returned from abroad, made a reckless bet with her colleagues, claiming she could perform open-heart bypass surgery with just one hand. The surgery failed. Celeste, humiliated, threw down her scalpel and fled the operating room. My mom, however, fell into a coma and became a vegetable because of that mistake. My brother, a lawyer, sued Celeste. But in just two days, his law license was revoked. He was even sent to prison for three years, charged with perjury, bribery, and defamation! I filed an official complaint, using my real name, but my identity was exposed, turning me into a target for online harassment. And the man behind it all was my husband of seven years, Daniel—a powerful figure who held immense sway over the entire city. At the hospital. My mom’s vital signs were steadily dropping, and the monitors blared constant alarms. I pressed the call button countless times, searched for doctors everywhere, but no one appeared. My heart pounded with anxiety. Just then, Daniel appeared at the door of the room, impeccably dressed in a tailored suit. He held his phone out to me. “I’ve already dropped the police case. Record a video, apologize publicly, and Mom can have her surgery.” “Vegetative state or death, you choose.” His voice was deep and steady, but his eyes held a sharp intensity that brooked no refusal. I opened my bloodshot eyes, trembling all over. Finally, I managed to squeeze out a few words. “Why?” I didn’t understand… Why was he helping Celeste when we were supposed to be a family? Tears, clear and unbidden, streamed down my face. This was only the second time I had cried in front of Daniel. The first time was on our wedding day. A flicker of something akin to pain crossed Daniel’s eyes. His hand, so used to wiping away my tears, started to reach out, then froze in mid-air, retracting awkwardly. “Aubrey, Celeste and I grew up together. The surgery was an accident. Even if I hadn’t done it with one hand, Mom might not have made it.” “Now, the internet is flooded with news trashing me. Just be a good girl, record a video clarifying things, and this will all blow over. The doctors are already waiting in the operating room. Afterward, I’ll get your brother out too, okay?” Daniel’s tone was solicitous, but his eyes held an unyielding stubbornness that wouldn’t take no for an answer. Could I refuse? Did I have the right to refuse? If I didn’t agree, would I be the next one to end up in prison or a vegetative state? A profound sadness settled in my heart. For seven years of marriage, Daniel had always doted on me. He never once raised his voice. Anything I glanced at or mentioned, no matter how expensive or hard to find, would appear in my hands the next day. I thought he would be my rock. But ever since my mother’s accident, I had pleaded with Daniel countless times, begged him for help. Yet, he always looked conflicted, as if he wanted to speak but couldn’t. I initially thought he couldn’t interfere, but later I realized it was because it involved Celeste, and he couldn’t bear to hurt her. After a long silence with no response, Daniel’s patience wore thin. “If you don’t agree, your mother won’t live past today, and your brother will stay in prison forever.” “Aubrey, don’t blame me for being ruthless. Celeste grew up with me; she’s the one who pulled me out of my autism. I promised I’d always protect her. So, not even you can stand in my way.” No sooner had he spoken than my mom on the hospital bed began to convulse. The monitors screamed alarms. Several doctors rushed in through the door and immediately wheeled my mother’s bed out. “Mom!” I leaped off my bed, trying to follow, but Daniel’s arm blocked me. “Record the video, and your mom can have surgery.” I stared at him in disbelief. “Daniel, have you lost your mind?!” Daniel pushed my hand away, his brows furrowed, an oppressive aura radiating from him. “Thirty seconds, Aubrey. Last chance.” A chill spread through my heart. For the first time, he seemed utterly alien, terrifying. It was as if all our past affection had been an illusion, had never existed at all. I used to be Daniel’s personal assistant. He pursued me fiercely, writing 99 love letters and sending 999 bouquets of flowers before I finally agreed to give him a chance. Two years into our relationship, he went to great lengths to keep me. When I first entered high society, the elite crowd looked down on me, making snide remarks about my humble background. But Daniel, he bought every single item at an auction and gave them to me, publicly acknowledging our relationship. He would drop multi-million dollar deals to stand up for me whenever I was challenged. When I wasn’t feeling well, he’d fly thousands of miles to be by my side and personally care for me. My family was very ordinary, and Daniel’s family disapproved. They demanded he break up with me and get engaged to Celeste, his childhood friend. He fought back desperately, was confined, sent abroad, but he refused to give up. He even voluntarily gave up his right as the family heir just to get his family’s approval. Eventually, his family compromised, and we got married. I thought after all our struggles, we’d finally be together forever. That was until Celeste returned from studying abroad a year ago. Celeste was spoiled and arrogant, and he indulged her every whim. He helped manage everything in Celeste’s work and personal life. When Celeste failed several surgeries, Daniel, worried I might face harassment from angry patient families, picked me up and dropped me off for my night shifts every day. Still not at ease, he moved me back home without consulting me. Three months ago, my mom was rushed to the hospital with a heart condition. Celeste, eager to prove herself, insisted on performing the surgery personally. She even bet with another doctor who had returned from overseas, claiming she could do it with one hand. That night, my mom was taken into the operating room. By the time I rushed to the hospital after hearing the news, I saw Celeste crying and running out, leaving several doctors scrambling to fix things. But it was too late. My mother became a vegetable. I begged Daniel to help me. But he avoided the topic, watching me suffer, watching me break down. After three months of struggle, Celeste faced no consequences, while I lost my family; my brother was sent to prison. “Have you thought it through, Aubrey?” He impatiently furrowed his brow and glanced at his wristwatch. “Mom can’t wait any longer.” I felt utterly hopeless. The tears I had been holding back finally streamed down my face. My hand trembled as I reached for his phone, biting down hard on my lip. “I’ll record the video. I won’t press charges. I’ll agree to everything you want. Just save my mom. I really can’t lose her.” My hand was shaking as I took the phone from him. Daniel gently wiped away my tears, personally opened the SnapChat app, and started recording for me. A thirty-second video. In it, I dropped all charges, admitting everything was an accident. After handing him the phone, I asked weakly, “Can my mom have her surgery now?” Daniel finally seemed to ease up. “Start…” Before he could finish, Celeste from the operating room suddenly cried out, “Ah, I feel so dizzy!” With that, she collapsed. Hearing the commotion, Daniel rushed over in a panic, scooping Celeste into his arms and heading out. The attending doctors swarmed around Celeste, leaving my mom, still on her bed, unattended. The alarm on Mom’s monitor continued to blare. Tears instantly gushed from my eyes. I screamed frantically, “Don’t go! Save my mom…!” “Daniel, you promised you’d save my mom! You can’t leave!” I lunged forward, blocking Daniel’s path, but his eyes were solely on Celeste. He didn’t even glance at me, rushing with the doctors into the adjacent room. Urgent footsteps trampled over me one after another, the pain so intense I couldn’t even utter a coherent word. It was too late. I sobbed hysterically, throwing myself at Daniel’s feet without a shred of dignity, but the frantic man kicked me aside. “Don’t be scared, Celeste, I’m coming.” Daniel, in his haste to get rid of me, kicked me with immense force, sending me flying. My head slammed hard against the wall. My gaze fell upon my mom, now barely clinging to life on her bed. I felt my heart tear into a million pieces. “Mom! Mom!” The sound of my head hitting the wall made Daniel spare me another glance. He pointed at my mom’s room, sending two intern doctors in. “Your mom won’t die. I promised you, and I’ll keep that promise.” “But right now, no one can stop me from saving Celeste.” Suddenly, my vision blurred. Before I passed out, only one thought remained in my mind: I had to leave. I had to vanish completely from Daniel’s world, never to see him again! 2 When I opened my eyes again, a card lay on my nightstand. Beneath it was a note: “Mom’s surgery will have to wait. Celeste has been emotionally fragile lately and can’t be away from me for too long. Such a long surgery would be too much for her.” One sentence, but I understood only one thing: For Celeste, Daniel could wait for anything. My heart throbbed with pain. Suddenly, I laughed. A mournful, sarcastic laugh. Clutching my chest, I pulled out my phone and made a call. “Mr. Davidson, I agree to the divorce.” “But I have one condition: help me fake my death… I want to take my brother and my mom and disappear from here forever.” The day I left the hospital, I brought the divorce papers my lawyer had prepared. Back at the villa, Daniel was getting ready to pick Celeste up from the hospital after her shift. “You’re back?” Seeing my pale face, Daniel paused, a flicker of concern in his eyes. “Why do you look so ghastly?” My mother was a vegetable. My brother was in prison. How was my face supposed to look? I didn’t answer. Holding the papers, I expressionlessly handed them to him. “Sign them.” Daniel was momentarily taken aback. “What is this?” Just as he was about to open it, his phone vibrated in his hand. He glanced at the message, a hint of urgency in his eyes. He didn’t even read the contents of the agreement, just casually scrawled his signature on it. “Celeste is waiting for me. Just leave any work contracts in my study from now on.” The words were barely out before he was already walking away. Staring at the divorce papers, signed so easily, a mocking smile twisted my lips. I said nothing, turning instead towards the courthouse. After filing for divorce, I returned to find Daniel massaging Celeste’s hands. She had just gotten home from her shift. “Celeste has been harassed by angry patient families lately, and I’m worried. She’ll be staying with us until things calm down, then I’ll take her home.” His voice was calm, as if he was simply informing me. The divorce was happening anyway, and this wouldn’t be my home much longer. I didn’t have the energy to argue or protest. “Whatever.” Daniel hadn’t expected me to give in so easily. Seeing the calmness on my face, he frowned, about to say something more, when Celeste suddenly spoke. “I… I just finished my night shift and haven’t even had dinner. Could you make me something?” Celeste smiled, but her eyes held a hint of challenge. “Daniel says you’re an amazing cook. I’ve never tried your food.” “Call the staff.” I turned, intending to leave. But Celeste let out a whimpering, aggrieved sound, and Daniel reached out to stop me. “Aubrey.” He didn’t need to say more. The meaning was clear. I had no right to refuse. Even as Daniel’s wife, a simple “I’m hungry” from his childhood friend meant I had to play the role of a maid. Not wanting to argue at such a crucial moment, I forced a smile and shuffled towards the kitchen. The scalding hot soup simmered in the pot. Mechanically, I ladled it into a bowl and placed it on the table. “That’s all? It looks disgusting.” Celeste stood by the table, frowning and pinching her nose. My patience snapped. “You don’t have to eat it.” The words had barely left my lips when I saw a calculating glint in Celeste’s eyes. The next second, Celeste suddenly grabbed my wrist and plunged my hand into the scorching soup. “Ah—!” A searing burn spread from my palm throughout my entire body. I instinctively tried to pull away. But Celeste held my hand down firmly. In my struggle, the ceramic bowl wobbled and crashed to the floor, splashing hot soup everywhere. I quickly yanked my hand free, but it was already red and blistering. “What happened?” Daniel rushed in at the sound. Celeste, her eyes red, held up her hand, revealing the soup splattered on its back. “Daniel, Aubrey didn’t want to cook for me. She got angry and deliberately poured the soup on me. My hand hurts so much…” Daniel’s face instantly changed. He grabbed my wrist, his grip like a vice. “Aubrey! What is wrong with you? Apologize to Celeste immediately!” My face was deathly pale from the pain. Biting my lip, I wrenched free from his grasp, holding up my swollen, blistered hand. “You want me to apologize? Daniel, look closely! Who purposely poured the soup? Who actually did this?!” Daniel froze. He turned his head, looking at Celeste with suspicion. Celeste’s face went white. Suddenly, she clutched her stomach and wailed, “Ah, my stomach hurts so bad! Daniel, there’s beef in the dish! I’m allergic to beef!” “I just asked her one question, and she got angry and poured the soup on me. Daniel, if you don’t believe me, check the security cameras. I never lie.” “Ah, my stomach, my stomach hurts so much…” The suspicion in Daniel’s eyes was replaced by fury. His icy gaze fell on me. Celeste was allergic to beef; he had told me that! I frowned. “I didn’t! We can check the cameras to see who’s lying!” Daniel’s rage completely ignited. He abruptly scooped Celeste into his arms, cutting me off with a harsh voice. “Aubrey, that’s enough!” He called for the butler. “Lock my wife in the basement. No one is to let her out without my permission!” The basement. It was where Daniel kept Celeste’s exotic pets—a dark, damp, windowless room filled with hundreds of snakes… I shuddered, resisting instinctively. “No, I don’t want to go…” “Let go of me!” I struggled with all my might, but Daniel didn’t look back. I was thrown into that basement. 3 The basement door slammed shut, and a suffocating heat immediately enveloped me. A faint hiss occasionally broke the silence, sending goosebumps crawling up my skin. The moment my feet touched the floor, I felt a strange sensation, accompanied by a faint breathing sound, slowly crawling up my leg. “Ah—!” I shrieked, jumping violently, trying to shake off the unknown creature. “Open the door! Let me out, now!” “Open the door!” I pounded on the door, desperate. But no matter how much I screamed, no one answered. Red rashes broke out on my skin from the stifling heat, itching and stinging. My head swam with dizziness. After struggling all night, my voice eventually gave out. I panted, curled up in a corner, my eyes filled with despair. I don’t know how long passed, but just before I lost consciousness, the door opened. Daniel stood silhouetted in the doorway, saying nothing for a long time. I thought I could finally leave. I pushed myself up against the wall, stumbling a step forward. “Hold her down.” A cold, male voice came out. Before I could react, two bodyguards grabbed my arms, pinning me. Then, my jaw was forced open, and a cup of an unknown liquid was poured down my throat. “Cough, cough, cough!” I choked, my head throbbing. “What did you give me?!” Before Daniel could answer, my body did. Rashes quickly erupted on my skin, and a powerful suffocating sensation gave me a feeling of impending death. I was having an allergic reaction. “Because you deliberately put an allergen in Celeste’s food, I’m still at the hospital getting my stomach pumped! I warned you not to mess with Celeste, but you never learn. Today, I’ll make you feel her pain, to teach you a lesson.” Daniel’s eyes were ice cold. He watched me writhe in agony, not a trace of compassion in his gaze. I clutched my stomach, the intense discomfort making every breath a struggle. “I told you I didn’t…” No one would listen to my explanation. Daniel stood there, watching me writhe, watching me cry out, and finally, watching me lose consciousness… “Aubrey? Wake up.” “Aubrey?” A familiar male voice pulled me back to consciousness. When I woke again, I saw Daniel standing by my bedside. Seeing me awake, he let out a sigh. He reached out to brush a strand of hair from my face, but I instinctively turned my head away. His hand froze in mid-air, then slowly retracted a few seconds later. “Aubrey, I know you’re upset, but you were wrong this time. I won’t indulge you anymore.” Daniel’s voice carried such clear condemnation that even in my groggy state, I understood it perfectly. “Indulge?” “Daniel, did you even investigate the truth? Do you believe—?” Daniel hadn’t expected such a strong reaction from me. His face instantly darkened. “You know what you did. I’m not here to argue.” “Because of Mom’s surgery and your recent stunt, Celeste’s reputation in the industry is terrible. When you’re discharged, host a banquet to apologize to her, mend fences, dismiss the outside rumors as a normal surgical risk, and clear her name.” I almost thought I’d misheard him. But seeing his expression, I knew he was serious. “What did you say?” My mom was in a vegetative state because of Celeste, and now he was here, demanding I clear Celeste’s name? Was he insane?! “No way!” Daniel completely lost his patience. “I’m not discussing this with you. Think carefully before you say such things out of anger.” “Don’t forget, your mom’s life hangs by a thread, and your brother is still in prison.” In that instant, my heart turned utterly cold. It was always like this… I had no power to resist, no right to refuse. I was still under Daniel’s control, at least until my brother was free and I could finally leave. I closed my eyes numbly, no longer bothering with futile struggles. “Fine, I’ll host the banquet, but I have one condition: release my brother first.” Daniel hesitated for a moment, then quickly agreed. But he set a deadline: one month from now. 4 The day of the banquet arrived, and Daniel sent a car to pick me up. Daniel stayed by Celeste’s side throughout the event. The moment I entered, his eyes constantly gestured, signaling me. I gripped my palms tightly, my face calm, and walked onto the stage. “Today, I’m hosting this banquet because I want to apologize to Dr. Celeste. The recent public outcry online was all due to my misunderstanding. Here, I apologize to her.” Instantly, the hall erupted, everyone blaming me for wrongfully subjecting Celeste to online abuse. I offered no explanation. After apologizing, I prepared to leave. Just as I turned, Celeste suddenly called out to me. “Oh, Aubrey, I left something really important in the car. Could you go get it for me?” I refused without hesitation. “You can ask a waiter.” “I wouldn’t trust anyone else. I trust you to do it.” Celeste tugged on Daniel’s arm, pouting dramatically. Daniel patted my hand reassuringly, then turned to me, his eyes giving a commanding look. I knew I couldn’t refuse. I turned and walked out of the banquet hall. As I reached the car, a shrill engine roar suddenly pierced the air. Aubrey sensed something was wrong and turned, but it was too late. The next second, a car screeched to a halt in front of me, and a man leaped out, charging towards me with incredible speed! Meeting the dark-clad man’s sinister gaze, a chill ran down my spine. I instinctively tried to run, but he roughly grabbed my hair, yanked me back, and slapped me across the face. “Who are you people?!” A metallic taste welled up in my throat. I bit down hard. “There are security cameras everywhere here! How dare you lay a hand on me?!” The man narrowed his eyes, a menacing darkness in his gaze. “We’re the grim reapers sent to teach you a lesson! You messed with Ms. Celeste, so not only can we touch you, but killing you would be what you deserve!” “Bang—” The man yanked my hair, slamming my head against the car window. “Ah—!” With a crash, the car window shattered, leaving a bloody hole. That was just the beginning. Then came the second, the third… Until the window glass, mixed with blood, lay scattered everywhere. I struggled desperately, but the man held me down with an iron grip. I couldn’t break free. “Help… help me…” The only sound in the quiet air was my own desperate whimpers. Blood streamed down my forehead, blurring my vision. Just as I thought I was dying, the man finally stopped, tossing me carelessly to the ground. But then, the headlights flared, and the car slowly started to move. All I could hear was my own faint breathing, as the car prepared to drive over me. “Stop!” Through my blurry vision, I suddenly saw a figure rushing towards me. Before I could make out who it was, I completely passed out. I regained consciousness amidst agonizing pain, smelling the familiar scent of antiseptic. I knew I had been sent back to the hospital. My forehead was heavily bandaged, and my eyes felt raw. I tried to move my body, but even the slightest movement sent throbbing pain through my head. “Aubrey, you’re finally awake…” A familiar male voice reached my ears. I opened my eyes to see Daniel, his eyes bloodshot and weary, with dark circles under them. Seeing me awake, he breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank goodness, thank goodness you’re okay.” “I’ve already investigated. It was disgruntled patient families. They mistook you for Celeste. I’ve already sent them to prison, don’t be scared.” “Does your head still hurt? Try to move, see if there’s anything else bothering you.” As he spoke, Daniel’s phone chimed a few times. It was Celeste’s custom ringtone. But surprisingly, this time Daniel didn’t answer it. His deep-set eyes stared at my wounds with concern, gripping my hand tightly, as if only that could calm his inner unease. I wanted to pull my hand away, but Daniel held it firmly, and I couldn’t break free. “Daniel, if I told you this wasn’t disgruntled patient families, that I heard the man explicitly say Ms. Celeste ordered it, would you believe me?” Daniel’s brow furrowed, and he released my hand. “Aubrey, that’s going too far.” “Celeste is a victim too. If it weren’t for you, she’d be the one lying in this hospital bed. How could she have orchestrated this? You’re overthinking.” My eyelashes fluttered, and I let out a sarcastic little smile. Perhaps I hadn’t held out much hope for him in the first place, so hearing those words from his mouth didn’t surprise me much. Too tired to waste any more breath, I closed my eyes, seeking rest. “Aubrey, I know you’re angry with Celeste. I promise you, once everything is back on track, I’ll limit my contact with her, okay?” Daniel gently stroked my hair. Perhaps out of guilt, he stayed by my bedside all night, comforting me just as he used to. But looking at him, my heart no longer stirred with any emotion. Because I knew, he couldn’t do it. Celeste called Daniel several times. When she couldn’t get through, she felt strange and walked to his hospital room. Seeing him carefully tending to me, her face twisted in a sneer, a calculative glint flashing in her eyes. 5 The next day. I was still in a deep sleep when the hospital room door was violently kicked open from the outside. Immediately after, I was yanked from my bed. “Celeste? Where did you take her?!” I was utterly bewildered. Daniel’s face was grim. He violently flung a blood-stained necklace at my face. “Aubrey!” His voice was squeezed out through gritted teeth. “I want to see how you’ll try to deny this now!” The necklace hit my face. I picked it up. It was mine. The necklace I lost at the scene when the man in black attacked me. I didn’t understand what he meant. “Isn’t this yours? Celeste suddenly sent me a SnapChat message last night with just two words: ‘Help me!’ By the time I rushed to the hospital, she was gone! Only this necklace was left on her bed!” I numbly handed him the necklace. “It has nothing to do with me.” “You still say it has nothing to do with you?!” Daniel grabbed my throat, his expression ferocious. “Last night, you claimed Celeste was behind your attack, and today she’s gone! You’re trying to get revenge, aren’t you?!” I gasped for air, but my eyes refused to show any weakness. “I told you, I don’t know. I didn’t do it…” But Daniel didn’t believe me. He was convinced I was responsible. To force me to reveal Celeste’s whereabouts, he actually dragged my brother out of prison and tied him spread-eagled in the middle of the road! A car was parked in front of him, its headlights flashing repeatedly. Before I could figure out what he intended to do. Suddenly, the car started, accelerating and driving straight over my brother’s legs! “Ugh—!” Blood rushed to my head, and my eyes instantly turned crimson. “Leo!” “What are you doing to my brother?!” “I told you I don’t know! I really don’t know! Why can’t you believe me? Why can’t you just believe me once?!” I never imagined Daniel would be so insane. To protect Celeste, he was actually threatening my brother’s life! He was truly mad! “Aubrey, I’m starting a countdown. In one minute, the car will move again, starting with his limbs. If you haven’t told me Celeste’s location in three minutes, the last pass will be over your brother’s head.” “Tell me where Celeste is, and your brother lives.” I trembled uncontrollably, looking at my brother, barely clinging to life on the ground. I was on the verge of a breakdown. “I don’t know… I really don’t know anything, Daniel, please, just let my brother go. You’ve already sent him to prison, why won’t you leave him alone?!” My pleas only earned Daniel’s cold laugh. One minute passed, and the car started again. This time, it drove over my brother’s hand. “No, no!” *Thump!* I fell to my knees, crying and swearing to Daniel. “Daniel, please, I beg you, don’t hurt my brother. I swear, I can swear, this really has nothing to do with me. If I did it, then let me die. Would that satisfy you?” “Believe me, please believe me…” My desperate pleas did not earn Daniel’s trust. He merely frowned impatiently and waved his hand. The headlights of the distant car lit up again. My pupils trembled, and even my voice shook. “No, no—” Seeing the car about to crash into him, I didn’t hesitate for a second. I broke free from my restraints and rushed forward, throwing myself in front of my brother, who was forced to his knees. “Aubrey!” A flash of panic crossed Daniel’s eyes. But it was too late to stop the car. The next second. A searing impact hit my waist, sending me flying. I felt my internal organs shift, the pain making it hard to even breathe. Suddenly, my stomach cramped, and bright red blood gushed from my mouth. “Aubrey!” Daniel rushed over and scooped me up, his fingers frantically wiping the blood from my lips. “I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry, I…” Just then, his secretary rushed over and whispered. “Mr. King, she’s been found.” “She’s out in the suburbs, traumatized and injured. No one can get near her; she’s just calling your name.” Daniel’s body stiffened. He looked at the blood-soaked figure in his arms, still barely conscious, and then heard Celeste’s frantic screams on his phone. The moment the ambulance arrived, he made his choice. “Take my wife to the hospital. Get the best doctors. Make sure she’s absolutely fine.” “I… I’ll be there soon.” 6 The ambulance sped through the streets, taking me and my brother to the hospital. Just as I was about to be wheeled into the operating room, a commotion erupted at the entrance. “Doctor! Call a doctor, quickly!” “Celeste, just hold on. I’ll get a doctor to treat your wound immediately. Don’t be scared.” “Mr. King…” The secretary hesitated, walking up to Daniel and stammering, “The emergency room only has two attending doctors. One is still performing surgery on your wife’s brother. The other… should we save your wife first, or Ms. Celeste…?” “We’ve already called other doctors, but the fastest one will still take half an hour…” The choice, once again, fell to Daniel. I could no longer speak. Only my blurry vision, stained red with blood, allowed me to see the hesitation on Daniel’s face. One with a scratched right hand. One bleeding from a car crash, spitting up blood. He was still hesitating. I wanted to laugh sardonically. I tried to pull at the corner of my mouth, only to find I lacked the strength to even twitch my lips. Blood drained from my body, and I distinctly felt my consciousness fading. Daniel clearly sensed it too. Celeste suddenly raised her hand, crying out in terror. “Daniel, I’m a surgeon. My hands cannot be injured.” “Please save me! If my hand is ruined, I’d rather just die. I was supposed to die today anyway; escaping was just a fluke…” Celeste’s words seemed to wake Daniel up. Right. Everything was my fault. I deserved to pay for my actions, and Celeste was innocent. She had been kidnapped and almost died; if she lost her hand too… “Celeste is a surgeon. Her hands cannot be damaged. Save Celeste first.” Daniel’s gaze lingered on me, on my clothes stained crimson with blood, before he reluctantly looked away. “Aubrey, you’ll have to wait.” “This is what you owe Celeste.” I had no strength left to argue. Time ticked by, second by agonizing second. For several moments, I truly believed I was dying. But my body’s will to survive was too strong. I held on until the doctors pushed me into the operating room. After six grueling hours of surgery, I survived. As I awoke in the familiar hospital room, I suddenly received a call from Mr. Davidson. “Aubrey, all the paperwork is ready. We’re at the final step now.” “You won’t regret this, will you?” “Of course not,” I said hoarsely. “I’d leave right this second if I could. Book two tickets for me. Once this is done, I want to leave immediately.” Just as I was about to confirm the fake death plan, the room door was suddenly pushed open from the outside. “Aubrey, where are you going?” Daniel was standing in the doorway; I hadn’t realized he was there. My words caught in my throat. I hung up the phone, my face instantly turning cold. “Your body still needs time to recover. Don’t run around before your injuries heal; I worry about you.” Daniel walked over to me, reaching out to touch my head. “Thankfully, Celeste’s hand wasn’t fractured, just needed a bandage. Otherwise, you’d be unforgivable.” Not fractured? So he had let the hospital’s only emergency doctor spend the night tending to a minor scratch on her hand, completely disregarding whether I lived or died? This was what he called worry? It was ridiculous. I recoiled, avoiding his touch, my expression icy. “Get out.” Daniel froze for a moment. “What?” I repeated coldly, “I told you to get out. I don’t want to see you.” 7 Daniel hadn’t expected me to lose my temper so fiercely. His face instantly darkened. “Aubrey, I haven’t even settled things with you, and you’re already throwing a fit?!”
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