Chapter 2
Claire’s naked body was covered with fresh love marks as she deliberately leaned over me, flaunting her conquest.
“How do you like the surgeries I arranged for you, Lina?” she taunted. “You always looked down on me, secure in Ryan’s love. Well, I didn’t hold it against you, but it’s not my fault he can’t even recognize you now.“]
My eyes fixed on the hospital ID badge pinned to her discarded lab coat. The logo was my design.
I’d helped Claire escape poverty, paying for everything from her high school through medical school.
When I’d handed her that first tuition check, she’d fallen to her knees, tears streaming down her face. “You’re like a real sister to me now, Lina. I’ll repay you someday, I swear.” 1
Ryan suddenly pushed open the door, frowning at his phone. “Lina’s phone was in the VIP lounge, but I can’t find her anywhere in the hospital..
Claire’s body tensed momentarily before she recovered with a playful laugh. “Lina’s always been absent–minded. When she first sponsored me, she didn’t even realize I was a girl.
She emphasized the word “sponsored,” her nails secretly digging into my surgical wounds.
I managed a smile through cracked lips. How could I have known that the girl I once saw hunched in the back of a classroom eating cold bread would someday wear clothes I bought, work in my hospital, and sleep with my husband?
Ryan shook his head affectionately at the mention of my carelessness and returned to the surgery. He used forceps to extract the cheap fillers from my nasal cavity, his eyes brightening with professional interest as he removed infected tissue.
“This type of infection is so rare. Shame I can’t document it for a paper.
As my nose began to take on its original shape, Claire “accidentally” bumped Ryan’s elbow. The scalpel slashed through the delicate membrane, blood spraying everywhere.
Ryan shot her a rare glare but before he could scold her, Claire’s eyes welled with tears as she clutched his sleeve.]
Tm so sorry, baby. I was just so tired I lost my balance.”
Ryan sighed and turned back to suture my wound.
I knew he wouldn’t stay angry. He always understood the difference between strangers and loved ones.
Like the time I discovered a female colleague had sent him a goodnight text after he’d spent three months preparing for a crucial academic presentation.
In my jealous rage, I unplugged his computer, causing him to lose his entire PowerPoint.
“Lina!” he had shouted–the first time he’d ever raised his voice at me–before storming out.
I curled up on the couch crying until midnight, only to realize the light in his study had been on all night, He’d recreated the entire 128–slide presentation from memory.]
At dawn, he brought me warm milk, dark circles under his eyes. “I was trying not to disturb your sleep, but next time just check my phone directly.”
Seeing my swollen eyes, he sighed with a mixture of concern and resignation. “Never mind, I’ll just report to you proactively from now on.“]
Now that indulgence belonged to someone else.]]
Blood trickled down my face into my mouth, filling it with bitterness.
After what seemed like an eternity, Ryan stepped back and removed his gioves.
That’s enough for today. With one more surgery, we might be able to restore her original appearance.”
Claire immediately moved closer, her eyes shimmering with admiration. “Ryan, you’re incredible! I could never handle such a complex reconstruction.”
She lowered per head with perfectly calculated shyness. “I still have so much to learn from you.”
Hleased by her performance, Ryan ruffled her hair. “You’re making great progress. Take it slow–I’ll teach you everything.
He had always been generous with praise. Whether I managed to wake up early or simply finished my meal, he would find a unique way to compliment and reward me.
Claire beamed at him before turning to organize the instruments. The moment her back was to him, the adoration in her eyes vanished, replaced by venomous hatred as she looked at me. Ryan, I heard removing a uterus can help preserve youth,” she said casually.
