Chapter 3 From morning into night , Juliette's vital signs slowly steadied . The baby had been kept alive by a thread and was under constant observation in the NICU . My scrubs were soaked with sweat ; the moment I stepped out of the OR I collapsed with a sickening thud . Colleagues forced a whole bag of IV glucose into me before I blinked back to consciousness . Those who'd been on the table with Vanessa clutched my hands and sobbed . " Thank you , Dr. Hayes - if it weren't for you , we wouldn't even know how to go on ... " " Yeah , Nathaniel Graves is a madman . If his sister had died here , I'm afraid our families would've paid the price ... " I soothed them Best I could . At last I could go home and try to rest . But when I reached the underground garage , footsteps behind me made me whirl around . No one was there . I muttered under my breath and started toward my car- then everything went black . " Mmm ! " I kicked and thrashed , but they still dragged me into a small utility room . A rough hand clamped my right wrist to the table ; under the dim light I could make out the silhouette of the man in front of me . " Adrian ! " I cried . The hand holding mine tightened . They bound me to a chair and I struggled like a wild thi " Adrian - this is you , right ? Don't - don't do this . We can talk , please let me go ! I saved Vanessa's life ! " He hesitated , then only sighed . " No. You spared her from Nathaniel's wrath , but you also put her in an impossible position . If you really want to help her , there's only one way - lose a hand . " " That way no one will suspect you operated ; they'll think the miracle surgeon was Vanessa . I'll handle the colleagues , and I'll erase your surgical record . Lillian - this time , you have to do this for her . " My eyes widened . " Adrian ! " I screamed . He raised a gleaming machete ; I fought like a cornered animal . " I'm a doctor ! How am I supposed to live without a hand ? " I cried . The blade froze , Under the jaundiced light I saw a flicker of something like pity in his eyes . " I'll take care of you for the rest of your life , Lillian . " " Wait " I shouted , " If you cut off my hand , you'd better not expect to keep practicing either ! " He shook his head . " Lillian , Dean Whitaker is my mentor he won't let this go that far . Trust me , I have the means to stay in medicine and to protect you . " " He's already given up on you ! " I spat . W WebNovel 4.3 * FREE Google Play OPEN Anyone can find their favorite manga on Webtiovel 37.50 % Adrian's body stiffened ; he smiled without humor . " No - he hasn't . " Bang! A sound - then a ragged , bone - deep scream . Sweat and tears ran down my forehead as the world dissolved into a single ripping pain . For the promise that " I'll help her , " Adrian was willing to go this far . I could feel nothing below my elbow . I couldn't bear to look . I couldn't imagine what my right hand had become . " Lillian , it's okay , it's okay - be still ... ' A towel had been wrapped around my stump . Adrian kissed my wrist . " Trust me . I'll stay by your side for the rest of my life . " My voice trembled . " Get away from " Lillian- " Get out ! " I spat . He finally let me go , breath ragged . me . " " I'm sorry , " he said . " But until the dust settles , you have to stay put . Vanessa's reputation cannot be sullied . " I laughed through my tears . " You're just terrified I'll go and tell the truth . " " Sorry ... " he whispered . The door closed in my face . The room went utterly dark . So did my mind .