Chapter 7

Julian's body stiffened, his gaze falling on me, filled with hesitation and internal conflict.

His fingers trembled slightly, his heart felt like it was being squeezed by something, making it almost impossible for him to breathe.

He opened his mouth, as if to say something, but the words caught in his throat, forced back down.

Seeing his reaction, the doctor quickly urged, “Mr. Blackwood, Miss Sinclair has already passed out from the pain. Every second of delay in the surgery will increase the chance of scarring. You must decide quickly.”

Julian’s face instantly turned pale, as if he had been pushed to the brink.

He took a deep breath, seemingly steeling himself, and finally said in a low voice, “I’ve always taught you that mistakes must have consequences.”

Hearing those words, my heart violently clenched, as if something inside my chest had shattered.

I moved my lips, as if to say something, but in the end, nothing came out.

Because I suddenly realized that I desperately wanted to cry, but not a single tear would fall.

Perhaps all my tears had been shed at The Sterling Institute.

I was pushed into the operating room with a numb expression, like a soulless shell.

As soon as the operating room door closed, Vivian, who had supposedly “passed out from the pain,” suddenly sat up in her hospital bed, a triumphant smile on her face, showing no signs of being burned.

She smiled at the doctors, her voice tinged with a chilling coldness. “Begin. Remember, no anesthetic. Cut her skin off bit by bit.”

The doctors and nurses exchanged glances but dared not defy her orders.

Several nurses stepped forward, restraining my hands and feet, pinning me tightly to the operating table.

I didn’t struggle, just lay there quietly, my eyes empty as I stared at the ceiling.

The moment the knife sliced into my skin, excruciating pain instantly swept through my entire body.

My body instinctively trembled, but I gritted my teeth, not uttering a sound.

The blade cut into my skin inch by inch, and blood flowed from the wounds, staining the operating table.

My fingers gripped the edge of the bed tightly, knuckles white, my nails almost digging into my flesh, yet I remained utterly silent.

Vivian stood to one side, watching with keen interest, her eyes full of mockery and triumph.

She chuckled softly. “You truly are a monster. To endure all this without making a sound.”

I didn't respond, just gritted my teeth, enduring the searing pain of each cut.

The knife continued to move across my skin, and pieces of skin were peeled away, one by one.

My consciousness gradually blurred, and the scene before my eyes began to grow dim.

The operating room was left with only the cold beeping of instruments and Vivian’s triumphant laughter.

“Later, throw her out for the dogs.”

My consciousness finally gave out, and my vision went black.

I passed out completely.

When I woke again, I found myself lying in a hospital bed, my arm wrapped in a large bandage. A slight touch sent a gasp-inducing jolt of pain through me.

The ward was eerily silent, broken only by the beeping of machines and the occasional hushed whispers of nurses.

“Mr. Blackwood is so good to Miss Sinclair. He visits her every day and even personally feeds her.”

“Yes, I heard they’re getting married tomorrow. What a perfect couple.”

“And Aurora? I heard she was the little girl Mr. Blackwood raised before, spoiled rotten. How could he just abandon her now? It’s truly pitiful.”

I remained silent throughout, listening quietly, then counting the days until I could leave.