Chapter 3

In the haze, I had a long, long dream.

I dreamt that my birth parents had abandoned me at the hospital entrance, and Julian was the one who took me home.

He told me that from that day on, he would be my father.

But when I stood before him in my police uniform, he didn't praise me. Instead, he plunged a knife into my chest.

I was ripped from the nightmare, but my eyelids were too heavy to open.

"Dr. Monroe, we're out of type A blood!"

"What? How?"

"The director just sent the entire hospital's supply of type A to Corvan's room. It'll be too late to get more from another hospital."

Even in my semi-conscious state, I felt Dr. Monroe's breath catch.

This was a critical moment in the surgery. If the blood supply was cut off, everything they had done so far would be for nothing.

The operating room fell silent.

It seemed the director was right after all. I was a lost cause.

The hope that had just begun to bloom was crushed.

So this was it. This was how my life was going to end.

Just then, the door to the OR was pushed open.

I heard someone say the word "director," and even in my unconscious state, my heart trembled.

He was my closest relative, but now he felt like the grim reaper, here to claim my soul.

Just as I thought I was doomed, I heard him say: "My blood type is the same as the patient's. Take my blood."

"What are you all waiting for? Saving him is the priority right now!"

...

When I finally woke up, a week had passed.

The first thing I saw was Julian, feeding Corvan in the bed next to mine.

The undisguised love and affection on his face…

I thought back to my near-death experience just a few days ago. My hand, hidden under the blanket, clenched into a fist.

Whether it was a choice between me and Corvan, or between justice and Corvan, Julian's choice was always Corvan.

Corvan was the first to notice I was awake. He gestured to Julian, who finally turned to look at me.

The room was silent.

Julian was the one who broke the silence. "You're awake. How are you feeling?"

His voice was as caring as ever, but all I felt was a bitter taste in my mouth.

The scene in front of the operating room flashed before my eyes.

He was the one who gave up on me. And he was the one who gave his own blood to save me.

I was filled with a confusing mix of emotions.

My voice was hoarse from disuse. "Why?"

Julian just looked at me. We were both silent. He knew what I was asking.

I couldn't understand why he had changed his mind.

He was so determined to protect his precious son.

Finally, Julian put down his chopsticks and sat down on the edge of my bed.

"Rae, for the sake of our years as father and son, please, give me the evidence you have against him."