Chapter 5

I couldn't believe Declan was threatening me. My hands curled into fists at my sides, a wave of disappointment washing over me. How could I have been so blind to this cruel side of him? "I won't regret it," I said with quiet confidence. "I'm not afraid of your threats. I earned this job, this position, with my own hard work. If I have to start over, so be it—I'm not afraid." I turned on my heels and strode out of his office, my chest tightening. The tears I had fought so hard to hold back spilled down my cheeks. It still hurt—more than I wanted to admit. I wiped them away angrily. "Why cry for him? He doesn't deserve it." Shaking off the sting of betrayal, I walked down the hallway. Suddenly, the shrill wail of a call bell cut through the silence, echoing from one of the VIP rooms. Instinct kicked in, and I quickened my pace. Pushing the door open, I stepped inside. The patient was a man in his mid-thirties, his body shifting restlessly on the bed. A low groan escaped his lips as he twisted and turned, the white blanket tangled around his legs. His bare chest rose and fell rapidly, his fingers dragging over his skin. I stopped at the doorway, unease creeping up my spine. Something felt off. His hospital gown was missing, leaving his torso exposed. My pulse quickened. Why wasn't he dressed appropriately? I took a cautious step forward, scanning his face. Beads of sweat clung to his forehead, his eyes darting to me as he groaned again. My instincts screamed at me—something wasn't right. "Please help me," he rasped. "What happened?" I asked, scanning his face. "And why did you take off your gown?" I reached for the clipboard hanging at the foot of his bed and flipped through his medical report. He had been admitted two days ago for stomach issues, but according to his chart, his condition had improved. There was no reason for him to be in distress now. Just as I was trying to make sense of it, his fingers suddenly clamped around my wrist. I flinched, the clipboard slipping from my grasp and clattering onto the floor. My pulse spiked. "What are you doing?" Before I could pull away, he sat up abruptly, his grip tightening. His face was inches from mine, his breath hot and ragged. "Help me out of bed," he said hoarsely. "I need to use the bathroom." Panic surged through me. I tried to yank my hand free, but he held on, his strength surprising. Then, in a swift, terrifying motion, he pulled me toward him, his arms locking around my body. I froze, my breath hitching. "Help me calm the fire within me," he whispered against my ear. "I'll reward you handsomely." A cold shudder ran down my spine. My gaze dropped, and horror gripped me. The blanket covering him had slipped slightly, revealing the unmistakable shape of his arousal beneath it. He was naked. His intentions were vile. Disgust and fear tangled in my gut. I struggled against his hold, my body twisting in desperation. "Let me go!" Instead of releasing me, he pulled me even closer, his chest pressing against mine. His hands roamed my back, fingers digging in possessively. My heart pounded violently. If I didn't break free now, he would violate me. "You bastard!" I seethed, my nails clawing at his arms. "I'll report this." His expression twisted with contempt as his grip tightened. "Why act innocent?" he sneered. "I know exactly what kind of woman you are. You serve the VIP patients and the doctors here. You're nothing but a high-paid slut." His words struck me like a slap. The rumors Catherine had spread were now being thrown in my face, poisoning my reputation in the worst possible way. My fists clenched at my sides. I refused to let this define me. I refused to be humiliated like this. "Leave me alone," I snapped, shoving him away with every ounce of strength I had. My chest rose and fell with anger. "I don't know what lies you've heard, but I am not that kind of person." My gaze bore into his, unwavering, full of fury. "And this? This incident—I'll report it. Let's see if the hospital still keeps you here after they find out what you've done." I stormed out. "Hey, you slut…" I heard him shouting at me from behind, hurling curses and insults. But my steps didn't falter. Enough is enough. This had to end. I marched straight to the risk management department. The moment I stepped inside, I wasted no time narrating the entire incident, expecting swift action. But instead of outrage or urgency, I was met with hesitation. It was shocking. "You need to calm down and reconsider," the woman behind the desk said, her tone almost detached. I blinked, disbelief crashing over me like a wave. Did she really just say that? "That man sexually harassed me, and you want me to calm down?" I snapped, my hands gripping the edge of the desk. The woman sighed. "I understand your concern. But this is a VIP patient—a wealthy man. With his connections, he can cause trouble for the hospital. We can't take direct action against him without proper evaluation." My blood boiled. "Evaluation? What evaluation do you need?" I shouted. "I am the victim! I'm telling you everything. What more do you need?" "Please, lower your voice," she warned, casting a wary glance around the office. "I need to talk to your supervisor first." She picked up the intercom and dialed a number. "Hello, Catherine? This is the risk management department. Can you come down here for a while? We have a pressing issue." My stomach twisted at the name. The very woman who had spread those disgusting rumors about me. She had already painted me as some kind of seductress. And now, she was the one they were calling for judgment? I immediately lost my faith in everyone here. The woman hung up and looked at me. "She is on her way," she informed me, breaking through my spiraling thoughts. "We'll discuss this calmly and come to a solution. Please, take a seat." I huffed and dropped into the chair, crossing my arms tightly over my chest. I had walked in here seeking justice, but instead, I was being placed under a microscope, my truth put on trial. And deep down, I already knew—I was on my own. A few moments later, Catherine strutted into the room, her sharp gaze landing on me instantly. "It's you," she scoffed. "Why is it always you when there is trouble? What did you do this time?" I opened my mouth to respond, but before I could, the woman behind the desk spoke first. "She is here to report a case of sexual harassment," she explained. "A patient groped her while she was attending to him. But since he's a VIP, I wanted to discuss the matter with you first before taking action." Catherine let out a sharp laugh. "Sexual harassment by a VIP patient? Are you serious, Anna?" The smugness on her face only fanned the flames of my fury. "This isn't funny," I seethed, my voice trembling with anger. "He tried to—" "Save it," Catherine cut me off, raising a dismissive hand. "I already know everything. That patient was shouting earlier, and I went to check on him. He told me exactly what happened." She stepped closer, her eyes gleaming with cruel satisfaction. "He only asked for help getting out of bed to use the bathroom, but you took the opportunity to seduce him. When he rejected you, you got mad and came running here to report him. How utterly shameless can you be?" A gasp escaped the woman behind the desk, her eyes widening in shock at Catherine's words. I felt my stomach drop. I stared at Catherine, disbelief clashing with rage inside me. "I seduced him? That's complete bullshit! He is lying—" "Anna," Catherine snapped. "Stop making a nuisance of yourself. I know you too well. The moment you see a wealthy man, you can't help but throw yourself at him. Now, go apologize to him—immediately." Apologize? My blood turned to fire. My face twisted with unrestrained fury. "I'll never apologize to him. He is a liar. I didn't—" "If you don't," Catherine interrupted coldly, "I'll cancel your performance payment for this month." I stood there, frozen, my body trembling with rage. My insides burned with indignation, every fiber of my being screaming against the injustice unfolding before me. I wanted to retaliate, to shout, to fight back. My lips parted, ready to unleash the fury bubbling inside me. But before I could get a word out, my phone rang. Without checking the caller ID, I swiped the screen to answer. "Hello?" "Hello, Miss Anna," an unfamiliar yet firm voice came from the other end. "Your mother's medical bills are due. If you don't make the payment soon, we'll have to cancel her treatment."