The Specialized Drug

1
The specialized drug I developed was exposed by my own husband, General Dylan Croft, for its addictive side effects. After that, I quietly left the military and took a humanitarian mission on a volatile border, telling no one.
Ten years later, I saw him again during a documentary interview. The host pushed a microphone toward me. Dr. Vance, General Croft hasnt remarried in ten years. The world is waiting for you two to reunite!
As soon as he finished, Dylan walked in. In his perfect dress uniform, he still looked strikingly handsomethe youthful fire replaced by a calm, commanding presence. His eyes met mine, and for a moment, a thousand unsaid words passed between us. But all that came out was a quiet, hollow greeting.
Aria. Its been a long time.
Yes. A long time.
My reply was flat, my face still. Ten years ago, the hemostatic agent I created was found to cause severe addiction. Soldiers became dependent for life. My career and reputation were ruined. My own father disowned me. Soldiers families stormed my lab and threw acid in my face.
But no one knew the truth: that ten years ago, Dylan let his mistress tamper with the formula for profit, and when it blew up, he let me take the blame.
Dr. Matthews, the head of the medical station, rushed forward to greet him, his excitement making him clumsy. General Croft! Its a true honor to have you visit our border station!
Seeing me tending to a wounded soldier, Dr. Matthews called out, Dr. Vance, come and say hello to the General! Hes the youngest general in the armed forces. Were lucky to have him here!
My hands paused over the gauze, but I didnt look up.
The reporters, however, sensed a story and swarmed me.
Dr. Vance, so this is where youve been! You were once the DoDs most brilliant pharmaceutical expert. How does it feel to be a field nurse, giving shots and hanging IVs? Is it a big step down?
We hear your ex-husband has been waiting for you all this time, even postponing his wedding. What are your thoughts on that?
I ignored the microphones practically touching my face and continued my work, but I couldnt stop my hand from trembling as I reached for a vial of medicine. I knew Dylans methods too well. I didnt believe a word of his supposed devotion. My guard was up.
The tense standoff was broken when Dylan strode over, using his body to shield me from the cameras.
This is a private matter between my ex-wife and me. There will be no interviews today. Please leave.
He turned to me, his gaze a complex storm of emotions. Aria.
He hesitated, finally just repeating himself. Its been a long time.
Hearing his voice again after so many years, my hand jerked.
CRASH!
The vial slipped from my grasp, shattering on the concrete floor. Glass and medicine sprayed everywhere. A shard sliced my hand, and a bead of blood welled up, dripping from my fingertip.
Dylan immediately grabbed my hand. How could you be so careless?
I snatched my hand back and turned to Dr. Matthews. Sir, Im so sorry. Ill clean this up immediately. Please deduct the cost of the vial from my salary.
Just then, a soft, feminine voice drifted from the doorway. Dylan, darling, what are you doing here?
You left the base so suddenly. Your parents and I were worried sick!
I looked up. Isabelle Thorne smiled as she walked in, possessively linking her arm through Dylans and giving him a light kiss on the lips.
She was the one. The person who had secretly altered the formula for Hemostop ten years ago, causing the addiction scandal. And now, she was Dylans fiance.
Behind her stood Robert and Eleanor Vancemy parents, who had cut ties with me a decade ago.
Isabelles eyes landed on me, and she smirked. Dr. Vance. Long time no see.
Oh, by the way, your parents have adopted me as their goddaughter now. I suppose that makes me your sister, doesnt it?
I looked at my parents. They had aged so much. Their hair was completely white, their postures stooped. A sharp, needle-like pain pricked at my heart. What would they think if they knew this precious goddaughter was the very person who sent their real daughter to prison?
My fathers gaze was like ice. We only have one daughter, and its Isabelle. The sight of a criminal who would poison our own soldiers for profit makes me sick.
My mother added, her voice tight with anger, Dylan, what are you doing talking to this piece of trash? It would be best for everyone if she just died out here on the border.
Their words hung in the air, and suddenly every eye in the medical station was on me, filled with suspicion and contempt.
I turned away, swallowing the pain, unable to meet their gazes.
Dylan sighed. Dont blame your parents. What happened back then was a huge blow to them.
He handed me a gold-embossed business card. I owe you so much. Call me if you ever need anything.
I took the card, not out of acceptance, but with the same polite detachment I would show a patient. I placed it on a nearby table without a second glance.
I didnt believe for a second that Dylan had found me by chance, and I wanted nothing more to do with him.
Three days later, my phone rang. It was Dr. Matthews.
Dr. Vance, I am so, so sorry he stammered. I had no idea you were a specialist from the DoD. It was wrong of us to have you working here.
Ive marked you down for full attendance this month, and your salary is being wired to you now. Please dont come in tomorrow.
Before I could reply, he hung up. I tried calling back, but he had already blocked my number. A moment later, a text came through from my bank: a deposit of $4,500. It was 0-0,000 more than my usual salary. A note followed:
[The extra thousand is for your trouble. Were a small station. Please, dont come back.]
I knew immediately it was Dylans doing.
Sure enough, he called moments later. Aria, I cant overturn the conviction, but I will compensate you in other ways.
Being a field medic is too hard on you. Ive already arranged for you to quit. I bought you a villa in Seaport City. You can move in right away. Isabelle is working at the Military Medical Research Command now, but shes not as skilled as you. I want you to assist her. The salary is two hundred thousand a month.
My fists clenched so tightly my knuckles cracked.
How dare he?
How dare he shove me into the abyss, force me to bear the worlds scorn, and then, after Id lost everyone, reappear like a savior to shatter the peace I had found?
How dare he think he had the right to orchestrate my life? Helping Isabelle was just a prettier way of saying he wanted me to be her ghostwriter, her shadow.
His words made my stomach turn. I forced my voice to remain steady. Thank you for the offer, General, but I have my own life. Please don't contact me again.
There was a long silence on the other end. Aria, dont be stubborn. A genius like you only belongs in a lab. Im offering you a life of comfort where you can do what you love. What more could you want?
If you continue to refuse, Ill have to do this my way.
He hung up, leaving a cold knot of dread in my stomach.
That afternoon, I found out what his way was.
With my job gone, I started looking for work to make ends meet. But everywhere I went, it was the same story. No matter how desperate they were for staff, the moment I applied, they would politely but firmly turn me down.
Defeated, I returned to my small rented room, only to find my landlady, Mrs. Gable, waiting for me outside.
She was a kind old woman. When I first arrived with no money, she had let me stay for a month rent-free and often brought me food.
Now, her eyes were red and swollen. Aria, youre back
Im so sorry, dear. I cant rent this room to you anymore. Please dont be angry with me, I have no choice.
Some important people from the city came by. They said if I keep letting you stay here, my daughter my daughter will lose her job in Seaport City She broke down, sobbing.
I couldnt bear to cause her more trouble. I packed my bags and left that night.
So this was Dylans compensation.
Destroy everything I had, then arrogantly offer me his charity.
How pathetic.
2
The day I was forced out of the medical station, Dylan Croft appeared in the small town where I was staying.
He looked thinner than he had a few days ago, with dark circles under his eyes, but the stars on his shoulders were as sharp as ever.
He arrived with an entire squad of soldiers. He calmly directed them to pack up my few belongings, acting as if we had never divorced, as if he were simply a husband picking up his wife after her tour of duty.
At the house hed arranged for me on the military base, he handed me a glass of warm milk. You always did have a tendency to get stressed. This will help you sleep.
I took the glass in silence and took a small sip. It was rich, so rich it made me tremble. Just like his so-called compensationthoughtful on the surface, but a poison that set my teeth on edge.
I put the glass down and met his eyes. General Croft, let the past stay in the past. If you truly want to make amends, youll leave me alone.
He flinched, a flicker of darkness in his eyes. Aria, dont be difficult. I know youre not satisfied. This is just the first step. Ill have my people at the Pentagon work on your case. Well get your military status reinstated eventually.
I know you dont like Isabelle. Ill make sure she stays away. For now, just rest.
His tone was gentle, but every word was an order. He wanted me under his thumb, completely under his control.
But Isabelle was never one to follow orders.
The day after I moved in, she barged in with a crowd of military journalists. Dylan, darling! I heard Dr. Vance was here. Why didnt you tell me?
She turned to the cameras. Dr. Vance was the one primarily responsible for the Hemostop incident, but she has served her time. I hope she has learned her lesson and will continue to contribute to military medicine!
The true culprit, spouting shameless lies for the cameras. She then handed me a credit card. This is just a little something from me. Youre a senior scientist, and my fiancs ex-wife. Please, you must take it. If you need anything at all, dont hesitate to ask!
Her performance was flawless. That night, the news spread like wildfire across internal military networks:
[HEMOSTOP MASTERMIND RETURNS, EX-HUSBAND GENERAL CROFT PROVIDES CHARITABLE SUPPORT!]
[VICTIMS FAMILIES PROTEST RELEASE OF JAILED SCIENTIST!]
Overnight, Dylan became the righteous, devoted general, and Isabelle his magnanimous fiance.
And I was once again thrown to the wolves, the target of everyones hatred.
Whether it was intentional or not, Isabelle leaked my address.
From then on, protesters gathered outside the military compound every day, holding signs and shouting curses. Families of the victims, angry citizens.
Just three days later, my parents arrived.
It was the first time they had sought me out in ten years. When I saw Robert and Eleanor Vance standing at my door, a foolish sliver of hope rose in my chest. Dad? Mom? Youre here. Please, come in.
But my father just stared at me coldly. Hmph. We wouldnt dare step inside a murderers house.
My mother leaned against the doorframe, her face weary. Aria, we can never forgive what you did. You cant keep making mistakes. Isabelle truly loves Dylan. Since youre divorced, you need to stop bothering him.
Isabelle is too kind to say this herself, so we have to be the bad guys. You need to leave this place. If you refuse, your father and I will have to find a way to make you leave.
Her voice was as gentle as I remembered, the same voice that had sung me to sleep as a child. But now, every word was a poisoned dagger, tearing me apart.
I stared at them in disbelief. Dad, Mom did you ever, even for a second, believe me? What if I told you everything that happened was Isabelles fault?
SLAP!
Before I could finish, my fathers hand struck my face. You insolent girl! How dare you slander Isabelle, even now!
Dylan, who had just arrived with groceries, saw what happened and rushed forward to intervene. Just then, his phone rang. It was his aide.
General, sir, its bad! Ms. Thorne drank too much at the celebration banquet. Theyre pumping her stomach at the military hospital!
At the news, Dylan and my parents panicked. Without another word, they jumped into their car and sped off.
I watched the car disappear, a bitter laugh escaping my lips as tears streamed down my face. It turned out that my pain, my humiliation, meant nothing compared to Isabelle having one too many drinks.
I thought that was the end of it. Ten years had taught me not to expect anything from my parents or from Dylan.
But I never imagined what their way of making me leave would be.
I was out shopping for supplies when several of the victims family members recognized me. The butt of a rifle slammed into the back of my head, and everything went black.
When I woke up, I was inside a burlap sack. Through the rough weave, I could see we were by the river on the outskirts of the city.
The leader, a man named Ryan, kicked me hard in the stomach. You damn monster. How dare you show your face in Seaport City again!
His words ignited the others.
Give me back my son! He was only twenty-two! Hed just been promoted to Captain!
Its all your fault! Your poison ruined my husbands life! I want you dead!
Fists and feet rained down on me. I tried to explain, but my mouth was gagged, and all that came out were muffled cries.
When they grew tired, Ryan spoke again. You owe us so many lives. Death is too good for you. Today, youre going to pay your debt in blood.
I heard the whistle of a steel pipe cutting through the air, followed by an explosion of agony.
Ninety-nine blows.
I passed out again and again, only to be woken by splashes of cold water. I felt each bone crack, heard each sickening snap.
Finally, as my consciousness faded, they tied me to a large stone and threw me into the river.
The icy water rushed in from all sides, the crushing pressure in my lungs threatening to tear me apart.
I closed my eyes in despair, ready for the end. Maybe it was for the best. This life had been too hard, too painful. It was time to rest.
Just as my world was about to go dark, a strong arm wrapped around me, pulling me up. Fresh air rushed back into my lungs

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