Chapter 2

I didn't go home. That house would feel more suffocating than the hospital right now.

I drove down to the river, stood in the freezing wind, and smoked one cigarette after another.

My phone wouldn't stop vibrating. There were angry calls from the hospital Chief, texts of concern from colleagues, and dozens of hysterical, abusive texts from Vanessa.

Finally, one text made me freeze.

It was from Eleanor, Dr. Sterling’s wife. "Ethan, Richard told me he went out of town for an urgent medical conference. Do you know which one? He forgot his blood pressure medication, and I can't reach his phone. I'm really worried."

Staring at the screen, my vision went blurry with rage.

These two monsters weren't just betraying me; they were gaslighting an old woman with a failing heart.

The anger burned away my remaining hesitation. A cold, calculated plan began to form in my mind.

I put out my cigarette and dialed the Chief of the hospital.

The moment he picked up, he started yelling. "Ethan! What the hell are you doing?! The patients are in critical condition, and you just walked out? Do you know they've already filed a formal complaint? Your CMO candidacy has been put on hold!"

"Chief, I'm sorry," my voice was eerily calm. "I just needed to clear my head. I'm coming back now. I'll perform the separation surgery myself."

The Chief paused, his tone softening slightly. "Good. That's more like it. Remember, Ethan, you’re a doctor first. Your duty is to save lives."

"Yes, I am a doctor," I murmured. "And I will handle this in the most professional way possible."

When I returned to the hospital, the OR was prepped.

Vanessa and Dr. Sterling had already been anesthetized and were lying side-by-side on the operating table. Under the harsh surgical lights, the fused skin looked even more repulsive.

I snapped on my sterile gloves and picked up the scalpel. The team expected me to slice in immediately.

Instead, I turned to my assistant. "Take tissue samples. Send three sets for urgent DNA profiling and chemical analysis. One from the fused zone, one from Vanessa, and one from Richard."

"But Dr. Vance..." the assistant hesitated. "Time is sensitive."

"Do it now," I ordered coldly.

I also told the anesthesiologist to increase their dosage slightly. I needed to make sure they wouldn't wake up before I finished setting the stage.

Then, using a micro-probe, I carefully extracted some of the gel-like substance trapped beneath the fused tissue.

This was their "bio-gel."

I smiled coldly as I sealed the sample in a sterile vial.

Only then did I lower my scalpel and begin the physical separation.

My hands were perfectly steady. Like rock.

Each cut was mathematically precise. I didn't nick an extra millimeter of Vanessa’s flesh, nor did I leave any of Richard’s tissue on her arm.

I had used these hands to restore confidence to burn victims, and to wipe away Vanessa's tears. Now, I used them to cut the very last tie between us.

The surgery was a success. Two hours later, their arms were separated, wrapped in clean bandages, and they were rolled into a VIP room.

To "make care easier," Vanessa had demanded they share a double room.

I didn't object. I even "thoughtfully" made the arrangements myself.

Once they were settled, I took the precious vial of gel and walked straight into my private lab.

**Chapter 3**