A blade glinted as it rose high in the air. I struggled like a madwoman. "I'm a doctor! If I lose my hand, how am I supposed to live?"

The blade paused. In the dim light, I saw a flicker of hesitation in his eyes.

"I'll take care of you for the rest of your life, Anna."

"Wait!" I screamed. "If you cut off my hand, you can forget about being a doctor yourself!"

He shook his head slowly. "Anna... Director Higgins is my mentor. He won't let things go this far."

"Don't worry. I have the influence to stay in the medical field and protect you for life," Darwin gently said.

"Director Higgins has already abandoned you!" I shouted.

His body stiffened for a moment, then he let out a chuckle. "No. He won't."

A heart-wrenching scream tore through the air. Sweat mixed with tears slid down my forehead.

For the sake of a single promise—‘Save her’—Darwin could go this far...

I couldn’t feel my right hand anymore. I didn’t dare turn my head. I didn’t dare imagine what my hand had become.

“Anna, it’s okay now. It’s fine. Be good…”

A towel wrapped around my mangled hand. Darwin kissed my wrist gently. "Don't worry. I will stay with you for the rest of your life."

My voice trembled. "Get out—"

"Anna—"