Chapter 10
Linda took the water, her eyes meeting Aria’s tear–filled gaze.
A small smile touched her lips. “She’s okay. Avery’s leg is safe, and she’s out of danger.
“Thank you!” Aria sobbed, nearly collapsing in gratitude.
Even Joel Preston, the world–renowned doctor, had sworn amputation was the only option to save her life.
Yet this young girl had done it. She’d saved Avery.
Linda quickly steadied her. “Take good care of Avery.”
She had to leave. If Joel figured out it was her, she’d have no way to explain her medical skills.
*****
At the same time, Joel was in the hospital’s Deputy Director’s Office.
He slumped in his chair, his face dark with anger.
The more he thought about it, the madder he got.
He had just let go of a chance to save someone.
He was a doctor, and he always believed that saving lives was his mission.
‘I should’ve torn that OR door off to get to the patient, he thought to himself.
Instead, he’d let a life fade right in front of him.
Guilt squeezed him tight.
Sure, he had a sharp tongue, but his professiononor was rock–solid.
Just then, someone knocked at the door.
“Doctor Preston,” his assistant said, stepping in, her face a mix of emotions.
Joel’s mood grew darker. “What?” he snapped.
“Doctor Preston, the patient, she…” the assistant began.
“Dead?” Joel jumped up, cutting her off.
His voice thundered as he pressed
“She’s gone,” the assistant said, stening
She lingered at the door, barely daring
to
knew it! Call the police! Arrest that high school kid–she’s a
murderer!
Make her
pay
with her life!”
startled by his fury.
“Gone? You let her get away?” Joel shouted, nearly flipping the desk.
He roared, “What are you all doing? She’s a killer! And her accomplice? That guy blocking the OR door–grab him too! Make them pay!”
The assistant flinched, raising a shaky hand. “Doctor Preston, please calm down.”
“Calm down? How?” Joel demanded.
“Doctor Preston the patient’s not dead,” the assistant said.
“Iknow she’s not–what?” Joel stopped–cold.
He rushed toward the assistant, staring her down, his voice loud. “What did you say? Say it again!”
“She’s not dead,” the assistant repeated.
Joel’s eyes nearly popped out of pure shock.
“Not only that, her leg’s fine too,” she added.
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Chapter 10
Joel started to tremble out of disbelief.
“Maybe… go see for yourself?” she suggested.
Her voice was soft as she watched Joel’s reaction.
This was a hit to Joel’s career; he’d insisted amputation was the only option.
And a “high school kid” proved him wrong.
Before she could finish, Joel was already bolting out the door.
He raced to the ward very soon, and when he arrived, he was still panting.
His face turned red with adrenaline.
Aria sat by the bed.
“Doctor Preston…” she started.
Joel said nothing, taking a dozen seconds to catch his breath.
He checked Avery’s condition, fast but thorough.
Just as the assistant said—she was alive. Her leg was saved.
‘How could that be possible?‘ She asked herself.
He went over his years of clinical experience once again, and still came to the same conclusion–it was impossible.
Yet that girl did it, and she looked so young, still a kid.
Joel wondered how she had done it.
Joel puiled Aria out of the room.
“Doctor Preston…” Aria said, shaken by his
“Who is she?” Joel asked sharply.
“Who?” Aria replied, confused.
“The girl who saved your sister!” Joel said.
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