Chapter 2

The sharp scent of disinfectant stung my nose, and I slowly opened my eyes. The fluorescent lights from the ceiling were so bright that it was hard for me to open my eyes.

A guy sat on the sofa. His black suit accentuated a cold, aloof demeanor. His deep-set eyes projected a commanding, powerful aura.

"You're awake," he said. His voice was deep and magnetic. "I'm Andre Marsh.

I knew the name. A week ago, he came to see me. He offered me a job in the national research center and intended to purchase my research patents.

"I received your call and reached your home within ten minutes." Andre's gaze fell on my pale face. "You were lying on the floor unconsciously. Where is your family?"

I managed a bitter smile.

They must be gathering around Savannah's hospital bed and offering comfort and care. How could they remember me after they left me behind and nearly suffocated?

"Mr. Marsh," I asked in a hoarse voice, "does your previous offer still stand?"

Andre straightened and became serious. "Have you made your decision?"

"Yes." I nodded solemnly. "I'm ready to give all my patents to the nation and join the national research institute to contribute to the medical field."

My words seemed to break the icy aura surrounding Andre. His stern face softened into a faint smile.

He stood up and gave me a respectful salute. "On behalf of the national government and all the soldiers on the front line who need medical support, I thank you for your generosity and dedication."

He took out his phone and quickly tapped a few buttons. "I'll expedite the paperwork immediately. But I must remind you that it is a highly confidential government project. After signing the confidentiality agreement, you'll need to work at a military base for three years. You can't contact others during that period. I'll send someone to pick you up a week later." Then he added, "During this week, you'd better say goodbye to your family."

I shook my head. I didn't tell Andre that I no longer had any family.

After Andre left, I leaned against the headboard to rest.

The aftermath of the asthma attack lingered. I felt tightness in my chest. Even slight movements left me breathless.

Just as I was about to sit up for a sip of water, the hospital room door burst open with a loud crash.

George stormed in, and his eyes were filled with rage.

He grabbed my wrist and yanked me off the bed.

My knee slammed into the cold tile floor with a dull thud, as I had never expected that. I shivered in pain instantly.

"George, what are you doing?" I shouted, and my voice was warping with pain as I struggled to get up.

George squeezed my throat, and his eyes became fierce. "You've caused Savannah to hemorrhage severely. She has Rh-negative blood, and the hospital blood bank is running critically low. You are the only one who can save her."

"No, I can't..." I protested.

I had just suffered a miscarriage and an asthma attack. I couldn't be a blood donor at all.

But he ignored my pleas and dragged me to the operating room. "Doctor, take her blood."

I fought desperately, but the two bodyguards George had brought restrained my arms and legs. They forced me onto the hospital bed.

My blood flowed through the transfusion tube, and I felt dizzy and broke into a cold sweat. I even had bouts of nausea.

The doctor quickly halted the procedure and said to George. "Mr. Wood, Clara's condition is too frail. 400cc is her limit..."

"Stop talking." Georg gripped my throat tightly and almost suffocated me. "She knocked Savannah over. This is her penance. Take as much as needed to save Savannah and my baby."

The doctor's face turned pale, but he continued under duress.

The machine connected to me suddenly emitted a piercing alarm.

"The blood pressure is dropping steadily. The heart rate is unstable," the doctor shouted, frantically trying to save me.

The overwhelming dizziness from blood loss hit me. I looked at George's cold face and asked with my last ounce of strength, "George, are you really willing to kill me for Savannah?"

"You pushed her earlier." George's eyes showed no remorse. "You must face the consequences of your actions. It's only fair, Clara."

He was talking about being fair.

But was it truly fair? Was it really my fault?

The room began to spin, and darkness engulfed my consciousness.

The doctor shouted urgently, "She's fading. Stop the blood draw immediately..."

"Continue!" George said coldly.

That was the last sound I heard before I slipped into unconsciousness.

I didn't know how long I was unconscious, but when I woke again, I was back in my previous hospital room.

A nurse was adjusting the IV flow. Seeing me awake, she smiled gently and said, "Thank goodness you're finally awake. You're out of danger now. Don't worry."

I forced a weak smile and managed to say, "Thank you."

Once the nurse left, the room returned to silence.

My phone on the bedside table buzzed with a new message. I turned it on to find a message from Andre. "All procedures are complete. The confidentiality agreement and the military base access application have been sent to your email. It can be activated if you reply to confirm it."

I opened my email and found the prepared documents. Without hesitation, I replied to the email.

"I confirm it."

In a week, I would be saying goodbye to those people.

I would leave that place that had brought me so much pain and be away from those who had hurt me deeply. I would start a new life.