Chapter 2

2

I weakly tried to push him away. "Just go. It's too dangerous here. Don't risk your lives for me. I don't think I'm making it anyway."

The two young rescue workers teared up alongside Silas.

"Dr. Thorne, we aren't giving up on you as long as there's a heartbeat left!"

Their determination sparked a tiny flicker of hope in my chest.

I took a shaky breath. "Silas, get Ben. If you guys follow my instructions exactly, we might have a chance. If it doesn't work... don't blame yourselves. It's just my time."

Ben arrived quickly, breathless and terrified.

Actually, the procedure I needed wasn't something only Caleb could do. I was the one who had coached him on the technique in the first place.

Years ago, the Chief of Surgery wanted to promote me to department head, but I gave the spot to Caleb. To soothe his ego, I even requested a transfer to a different department.

Under my trembling guidance, they performed a makeshift stabilization. They held my body steady while the rescue workers brought in a pair of heavy-duty bolt cutters.

They tried to snip the rod, but with no solid ground for leverage, they couldn't get enough force.

One small slip sent a scream of agony ripping through my throat.

Eventually, they had to bring in a hydraulic cutter. When the machine roared to life, the vibrations were so intense I felt like my internal organs were being shredded.

Suddenly, the ground began to shake again. Another aftershock. My pain spiked, and I began coughing up thick, dark blood.

As the tremors grew stronger, I begged them through tears. "Go... just go! Leave me!"

But they refused to move.

Finally, the rod was severed. They bundled me onto a stretcher and sprinted for the exit.

The moment we cleared the opening and reached the surface, the ground behind us caved in completely.

Everyone's faces were ghostly white from the near-death experience.

Silas gripped my hand tightly. "Elena, stay with me! You're going to make it!"

I was fading fast, slipping into a heavy sleep. Silas kept calling my name, talking to me about anything and everything to keep me conscious.

We reached the regional triage center's makeshift OR. Just as they were about to wheel me in, Caleb and Brielle appeared, blocking the way.

"The OR is at capacity! Stop this nonsense and stop wasting medical resources! This is a criminal misuse of power!" Caleb yelled.

Silas screamed back, his eyes bloodshot. "She is right in front of you! Can't you see she's dying? Have you forgotten everything you learned in med school?"

Brielle whispered just loud enough for Caleb to hear. "But Dr. Thorne has been a doctor for years. She knows exactly how to make a fake injury look real."

One of the rescue workers stamped his foot in rage. "Dr. Vance! This woman is your wife! Why do you believe a random girl over the woman you're married to?"