Chapter 4

When Margot woke again, she found herself in a familiar hospital room. A sharp, throbbing pain shot through her hand. That was when Margot realized she couldn't lift it up at all. She sat up in a panic. Her right hand, aside from the pain, was completely useless. She couldn't summon any strength in it whatsoever. "How could this happen?" Tears streamed down Margot's face in heavy drops. She tried frantically to get out of bed when Cameron, hearing the commotion, rushed over from the couch and pulled her into his arms. "Margot, I'm so sorry. The mastiff severed the tendons in your hand. You'll never be able to hold a scalpel again." Margot looked down at her hand. Her mouth opened, but no words came out. The hand she'd been most proud of, the hand that had been her foundation in the medical field, was now useless. How could she accept this? How could anyone accept this? ... Over the following days, Cameron stayed by Margot's side. He even personally helped her bathe and dress. She remained hospitalized for a full week before being discharged. On the drive home, Margot stared out the window in silence. Cameron reached over and took her hand, his face full of tenderness. "Margot, I've arranged a memorial service for your mother and sister tomorrow. I'll make sure they're given a proper send-off." At the mention of the memorial service, Margot's expression softened slightly. She was about to speak when Cameron's brick phone rang. Margot heard Vera's voice on the other end. "Cameron, my mother's chest is hurting again. I don't know what to do. Can you come over?" Cameron immediately slammed on the brakes, his expression grave as he turned to Margot. "Margot, you'll have to walk home on your own. Vera needs someone with her." Margot let out a cold laugh. "Are you a doctor? What good will it do for you to go? Can you cure her mother?" Cameron's face darkened instantly. "Margot, her mother only has these serious complications because you botched the surgery. I'm just trying to make up for your mistake." With that, Cameron got out of the car and yanked Margot's door open. "Get out." Margot looked at the man before her and found it laughable. So, love could be nothing but an act. The moment Margot stepped out, Cameron started his car and sped off, leaving her alone on a deserted street. This area was close to the outskirts of the city. Security had been poor lately, and thugs and troublemakers often lurked around here. As the sky darkened, Margot was about to move forward when several large men emerged from an alley. Margot watched them warily, an ominous feeling rising in her chest. She turned to run but was blocked by someone. "Well, if it isn't the sister of that student who's been all over the news lately. If the little sister knew how to have fun, I bet the older sister's got some skills too." One of them grabbed Margot's hand. She tried to shake him off, but her hand had no strength left. "Do you know who I am? If you dare touch me, I won't let you get away with this," she yelled. The men laughed even more wildly at her struggling and began dragging her deeper into the alley. "Today, we're gonna have ourselves some fun." Margot screamed at the top of her lungs, but all she got in return was their excited laughter. "You can scream your throat raw and no one's coming to save you," one man said. One of them violently tore at her clothes. Margot bit down hard on one man's hand and used every ounce of strength to run. The men chased after her, then laughed even more triumphantly. "This is the outskirts. Behind you, there's nothing but Southbridge Lake." Margot looked at the lake below the railing behind her. Without any hesitation, she jumped. The icy water instantly engulfed Margot, and she thought she could hear people arguing on the shore. "That person only said to ruin her, not kill her. If something happens, who's going to take responsibility?"