Chapter 3

The next day.

Luther had promised he'd come back once he dropped off Sara.

He never came home all night.

I was lying on the operating table for my miscarriage.

The cold instruments kept shifting beneath me.

I was so cold my body spasmed beyond my control.

"Don't be afraid, everything's going to be fine."

The doctor comforted me gently, then suddenly cried out in shock.

"Was this from a dog bite?"

"Did you get the rabies vaccine and immunoglobulin?"

My lips were pale as I answered in a hoarse voice.

"Good, because Kingsport reported a case of rabies today."

"It's the first case reported in ten years."

"Thank goodness you already got the rabies vaccine and the immunoglobulin."

The doctor's voice came with relief. But only a few seconds later—

The instruments in the operating room suddenly let out a violent "beep beep."

"This is bad! She's hemorrhaging!"

"Quick! Stop the bleeding!"

My body grew colder and colder, and my mind blurred.

My phone suddenly rang.

"Aileen, where are you?!"

Luther's anxious, demanding voice came through to my ears.

My throat was so hoarse I couldn't force out a single complete sentence.

"What you did to Sara yesterday got spread all over the internet!"

"People are crowding the hospital and cyberbullying her. She was driven to the rooftop to kill herself. Get to the hospital right now and help clear this up!"

Kingsport had reported a case of rabies.

And Luther was worried Sara would be suspended.

A tear slid down from the corner of my eye before I could stop it.

"Luther, I'm having a miscarriage—"

"Luther, I'm so scared. Please just have Aileen come to the hospital and clear things up, okay?"

The words I was about to say were cut off by Sara's choked sobbing.

"Aileen, stop making excuses!"

"Ten minutes. I have to see you at the hospital!"

Morgan said it coldly, and the call was cut off.

The pain was so bad I passed out completely.

When I opened my eyes again, there was a commotion outside the door.

"Aileen!"

"Where are you?!"

Luther's cold, furious voice rang out, and the ward door was shoved open.

"Aileen, you really are here?!"

"So you wouldn't have to help clear Sara's name, you actually put on an act and checked yourself into the hospital?!"

"Are medical resources something you can just waste however you please?!"

Cursing me word by word, Luther yanked the needle straight out of my hand.

He grabbed my arm and pulled me off the bed.

"If Sara's friend hadn't told me you were putting on an act in here, I really wouldn't have found you!"

"Aileen, you've disappointed me so much!"

"Sara's in such danger, driven to the point of jumping off a building, and you're just lying here enjoying the air conditioning!"

The IV catheter was yanked out, and the blood wouldn't stop flowing.

I was feverish and weak all over, and I reached out to cover the bleeding spot.

Luther froze, and the force in his hand slowly eased.

"Aileen, you really were getting an IV?"

"Pregnant women can't just have medications injected into them, don't you know that?!"

He reached out to help me up, and Luther was just about to look at the medication I was being given.

Right then, his phone suddenly rang.

"Dr. Sanchez, come quick!"

"One of the cyberbullies has a knife!"

"Dr. Delgado's arm has been slashed!"

Panic filled Luther's eyes, and his grip on my arm tightened again.

"Aileen, stop making a scene."

"Come with me to the hospital, clear things up, save Sara, and I'll forgive you this time—"

My arm ached until it went numb, and my vision went black.

Luther dragged me out of the hospital.

"Make way!"

"I've brought the person from the video!"

"Everyone calm down and listen to her clear up yesterday's video!"

Through the crowded, angry mob, Luther dragged me forward.

The bite wound on my thigh and my abdomen cramped with pain.

I forced myself to stand up straight, and he hauled me right in front of Sara.

Blocking everyone's fury.