Chapter 3

Hidden behind a surgical mask, Sienna went completely unnoticed in the crowd.

Edward leaned heavily on Sienna, pointing his camera directly at my face. He lowered his voice so only I could hear the venomous threat.

"Susan Murray, you don't want your entire medical career to go up in smoke, do you? If I post this clip, you'll be stripped of your medical license before dinner."

Edward knew exactly how to break me.

He knew I grew up dirt-poor in a backward village. He knew I had clawed my way to the top, surviving purely on scholarships, sleepless nights, and raw talent to build a life in the medical field I loved so deeply.

If this video went viral, my life's work would be destroyed.

But the thought of putting my hands on Sienna's mother right now made me physically nauseous. I couldn't do it.

I stood frozen in the parking lot, clenching my fists tightly. My breathing was jagged and heavy.

"I told you," I said, my voice dropping to a lethal whisper. "I am not doing it. There are hundreds of doctors in this city. Go bother one of them."

I shoved past them and power-walked toward the elevator.

I didn't make it ten feet before two massive men in tailored suits blocked my path.

I looked up and recognized them instantly. They were Edward's private bodyguards.

Edward adjusted his jacket and barked an order.

"Escort Dr. Murray to her examination room."

I stared at him, my blood boiling.

"Edward, are you insane? This is a hospital, not a mafia movie! You can't force me to treat her mother!"

No one listened. The two goons grabbed me by the arms, practically lifting me off the ground, and dragged me through the sliding glass doors.

I kicked, screamed, and fought like a wild animal the entire way down the hall. A few nurses tried to pull out their phones to call security, but Edward flashed them a warning glare, and they quickly looked away.

They hauled me into my private office and locked the door behind us. Sienna's mother was already sitting on the examination table.

Edward pulled a tissue from the dispenser and stepped toward me, pretending to gently dab at the angry tears spilling from my eyes.

I violently jerked my head away, glaring at him with pure hatred.

"Save the Oscar-winning performance for your vlog!" I spat.

"Susan, don't be a stubborn bitch," Edward snapped, his patience instantly vanishing. He crumpled the tissue and threw it into the trash can.

Sienna stepped up, resting a delicate hand on his chest. She looked up at him with innocent eyes.

"Edward, please... if Dr. Murray really doesn't want to do it, let's just go. I don't want to force her..."

Edward covered her hand with his, his eyes softening.

"Don't worry, baby. As long as I'm here, your mom is getting the best treatment."

Sienna nodded meekly, but as she turned her head, she shot me a sidelong glance. Her eyes danced with wicked, triumphant mockery.

Edward pulled up a chair for Sienna, and they sat down like an audience waiting for a show.

"Susan," Edward said, his voice dropping into an icy threat. "Don't forget. Your mother hasn't been put in the ground yet. Do you really want her funeral disrupted?"

The threat hit me like a physical blow. I lunged at him, ready to tear his eyes out, but the two bodyguards instantly pinned me against the wall. No matter how hard I thrashed, I couldn't break their grip.

One of the guards leaned in, his voice deadpan.

"Please get to work, Dr. Murray. Mr. Harrington will be watching your every move. If you mess this up, well, you know the consequences better than we do."

Edward was blatantly threatening me, letting me know he was in control.

I was completely cornered. I had no wealthy family backing me and no power to fight off billionaires. Trembling with suppressed rage, I walked over to the exam table and began treating Sienna's mother under their watchful gaze.

When I finally finished wrapping her knee in a medicated brace, I turned to them.

"Are you satisfied now?" I asked bitterly.

Edward smirked, visibly pleased. He turned to Sienna's mother, his voice dripping with respect, and told her to rest up. Then, he instructed Sienna to help her out to the car.

"See? That wasn't so hard, was it?" Edward said smoothly.

I marched right up to him, my eyes burning holes into his skull.

"Can I go bury my mother now?"

Edward gave a dismissive nod, signaling the guards to step aside.

As I walked through the doorway, I made an announcement.

"Don't forget to sign the divorce papers on the vanity, Edward. After today, you and I are completely done."

I heard him curse and lunge toward the door, but Sienna quickly grabbed his arm, whispering something frantic into his ear. Whatever she said worked. His footsteps stopped.

I didn't care. I handled the paperwork at the morgue and arranged the burial. When I finally stood in front of my mother's fresh grave, a crushing weight lifted off my chest.

Now, I just hoped my mother could rest in peace and never had to cross paths with such selfish people again.