One Hand to Kill

Serena, my boyfriend Jakes junior intern, boasted about delivering babies with one hand. Her attempt failed disastrouslyshe screamed at the mothers exposed abdomen, covering her face in horror: Her anatomy is different! Textbooks never mentioned this!

I rushed to the hospital at midnight and saved the mother. Serena faced public outrage and heavy consequences. Jake wanted to defend her, but I stopped him: Back her now, and youll lose your Young Investigator awardand the internet will tear you apart.

Overwhelmed by abuse, Serena drowned herself, leaving a note soaked in her own blood, accusing Jake of betrayal. He burned it in silence.

Years later, Jake became a top medical scholar. During my labor, he operatedwith one hand. Glaring at my unhealed womb, he dangled the bloody baby at my face: See? One-handed delivery works. Why did you crush Serena? If Id backed her then, shed be where I am now! He threw the infant to the floor.

Consumed by rage and despair, I died with my child.

Reawakening, I found Jake fiercely defending Serenaoblivious that her victim was the sister of a ruthless tycoon whose vendetta would destroy him.

The moment I realized I was back to the day Serena was showing off her one-handed delivery, I immediately switched off my phone.

I slept straight through until morning.

The next day, when I turned on my phone, sure enough, there were 99+ missed calls.

In my previous life, Serena, realizing the mess shed made, had called me late that night, begging me to clean it up.

Despite having just finished three surgeries and barely getting an hour of sleep, I had rushed back to the hospital through a snowstorm, operating from dusk till dawn.

I saved both the mother and the baby.

Because of this, the mothers brother, the head of A-Citys top conglomerate, didn't punish Serena severely.

He merely ensured she received the appropriate disciplinary action.

If Serena had just endured that period, she might have continued her career and even thrived.

But she had been coddled by my boyfriend, Jake, since childhood and had never known hardship.

Faced with a deluge of online abuse, she simply jumped into the river.

When I arrived at the hospital, Serena was slumped on the floor outside the operating room, weeping.

My colleagues were frantic, their scrubs stained with blood.

Its all your fault! Your hands were shaking, but you just had to try that one-handed stunt!

Just because Director Thorne brought you in, you think you can do whatever you want?!

Now look whats happened! We can barely keep the patient alive. Shell die if this goes on much longer! If her brother finds out, none of us who were involved in this surgery will ever work again!

The "beep-beep" of alarming medical equipment echoed from inside the operating room.

My colleagues collapsed onto the floor, their faces ghostly pale.

Its over its all over

A newly arrived colleague burst into tears. Why wasn't Dr. Armitage on call last night? If she had been here, she would have found a way

Its truly hopeless now

Serena looked up, and the moment she saw me, her eyes lit up.

Its her!

She pointed at me. I was calling her all night! But I couldnt get through! Its not us who killed the patient! Its her, who could have saved her but deliberately switched off her phone!

Everyone turned their heads sharply to look at me.

Dr. Armitage!

Dr. Armitage, did you really switch off your phone on purpose?

Of course!

Serena stood up, pulling out her phone to show everyone the 99 missed calls shed made to me.

Her eyes red, she walked towards me, step by step. Dr. Armitage, this is a matter of life and death. Which of us doctors doesn't keep their phone on 24/7?

You knew there was a C-section scheduled for last night, and you're the most capable person in OB/GYN.

To switch off your phone at such a critical moment, Lily Armitage, what were your intentions?!

Slap!

A sudden, sharp slap landed on her face.

I looked down at her. Serena, have you lost your mind?

Other department colleagues heard the commotion and rushed to the scene.

I snapped, my voice sharp. The on-call schedule clearly states that you were scheduled for surgery last night, not me!

Yes, I didnt notice my phone was out of battery, but the person truly responsible for this surgery is Dr. Brooks, who signed the on-call sheet!

Serenas face paled. When a life is at stake, what does on-call or not on-call matter? Your phone is never off, except last night.

Ha, Lily Armitage, its fine if you target me, but you cant gamble with a human life!

She spoke with such righteous indignation that some uninformed patients began to speculate that I had deliberately skipped out on my shift, leaving the mess for Serena, a newcomer.

All just to see her fail and make a fool of herself.

But before I could speak, a colleague couldn't hold back. Serena, shut your mouth! Do you have any idea Dr. Armitage did three major surgeries back-to-back yesterday? She only managed to grab two bites of bread and a sip of glucose water in between!

Exactly! You spend your time in the office with the AC on, and we have to cover your rounds. How would you know how hard Dr. Armitage works?!

She didnt get home until midnight yesterday. Is it really that strange to forget to charge your phone after a whole day, then just crash into bed?!

The family members of the patient I saved yesterday also chimed in.

Besides, Dr. Armitage fulfilled her responsibilities during her working hours. Last night was simply not her shift!

All the onlookers suddenly understood.

Even the colleagues who had assisted Serena in the surgery couldn't stand it anymore. Alright, Dr. Brooks, last night was indeed not within Dr. Armitages responsibilities. We can only blame our bad luck.

Serena stumbled and fell to the floor.

Her lips were white.

Whats everyone doing here?

The Chief of Staffs angry roar filled the air.

Behind him, Jake, his face grim, strode purposefully towards us.

I was about to speak.

But he walked right past me.

He went directly to Serena, gently helping her to her feet. Its okay, Ill find a way to help you. Youll be alright.

Under the Chief of Staffs intimidating gaze, the crowd quickly dispersed.

I was called into his office.

The moment the door closed, his stern expression vanished, replaced by panic.

Lily! Even though this isnt your fault, you have to save this patient!

Shes the sister of Preston Thorne. If she dies in our hospital, no one, from top to bottom, including you, will have a place to work anymore!

I sighed.

In truth, the reason I dared to turn off my phone was because I knew my colleagues could keep the patient stable.

Even if I came after I woke up, there would still be a way to save her.

That way, there would be room for negotiation in the subsequent events.

I looked at the Chief of Staff. Todays incident is not only Serenas responsibility but also Jakes.

The Chief of Staff froze.

I handed him a document signed by Jake. Jake personally approved Serenas one-handed delivery procedure.

Were taking such a huge risk, all to cover for these two. So, Chief of Staff, I can clean up this mess.

However, Serena isnt the only one who needs to be punished.

I pressed my hands on the desk. If Jake isnt dealt with properly, similar incidents will keep happening.

And Im not sure Ill be able to save our hospital then.

The Chief of Staffs expression grew serious.

Jake was his protg, someone who had followed him since medical school.

However, when it came to the hospitals core interests, even a protg had to be dealt with.

Moreover, he now relied on me to save Preston Thornes sister C Nora Thorne.

That scoundrel! Hes gotten so reckless, thinking he can do anything because I promoted him!

He slammed the agreement onto the desk. Dont worry! Not only will his upcoming Young Investigator application be rejected by me, but his promotion report will also be killed!

After this, hell only be able to do odd jobs at the entry level. He can forget about ever holding a core position in the hospital again!

I curved my lips into a small smile.

I signed the agreement.

This meant that Jakes path to soaring from Young Investigator to Fellow, which he had taken in my previous life, was now

Severed.

From morning until evening.

Nora Thornes vital signs gradually returned to normal.

The babys life was also saved and was being closely monitored in the intensive care unit.

My scrubs were soaked with sweat. The moment I stepped out of the operating room, I thump! collapsed to the floor.

It took a full bottle of glucose given by a colleague before I slowly regained consciousness.

My colleagues who had assisted Serena in the surgery earlier cried and clutched my hand. Thank you, Dr. Armitage. Without you, we really dont know what we would have done

Yes, Preston Thorne is a lunatic. If he knew his sister died on our watch, our families might also

I comforted my colleagues.

Finally, I could leave work and go home for some much-needed rest.

As I reached the underground parking garage, footsteps behind me made me spin around.

No one

I muttered to myself, then turned and continued walking.

Suddenly, everything went black.

Mmph!

I thrashed violently but was still dragged into a dark room.

My right hand was forcibly grabbed and pressed onto a table. In the dim light, I vaguely saw the silhouette of the person in front of me.

Jake!

The hand gripping me stiffened.

I was tied to a chair, struggling frantically. Jake! Its you! I know its you, right?!

What do you want? We can talk! I beg you let me go, I saved Serenas life!

The person in front of me paused.

When he spoke again, it was just a sigh.

No, while you saved her from Preston Thornes wrath.

But you ultimately still put her in an unfair and unjust situation.

Im sorry, if you truly want to help her, youll have to lose a hand.

That way, no one will think you performed the surgery, and everyone will believe Serena was the one who turned things around.

Ill talk to the colleagues. Ill also delete your surgical records. Lily, this time, please help her.

My eyes widened. Jake!

The cleaver was raised high. I struggled with all my might.

Im a doctor! How will I live if I lose my hand?!

The cleaver paused.

The dim yellow light illuminated a flicker of reluctance in his eyes.

Ill take care of you for the rest of my life, Lily.

Wait!

I shouted. If you cut off my hand, you won't be able to be a doctor either!

He shook his head.

Lily, Chief of Staff Lee is my mentor. He wont let things escalate to that point.

Dont worry, Ill be able to stay in the medical field and protect you for life.

Hes already given up on you!

His body stiffened.

He chuckled.

No, he hasn't.

Thud!

Argh!

A heart-wrenching scream.

Sweat and tears streamed down my forehead.

For a promise to save her, Jake was capable of going to such lengths

I couldnt feel my right hand anymore.

I didnt dare to turn and look.

I couldnt imagine what my right hand had become.

Lily, its alright now, its alright, shhh

A towel wrapped around my right hand.

Jake kissed my wrist. Dont worry, Ill be by your side for the rest of my life.

I heard my own trembling voice.

Get out

Lily

Get out of here!

Amidst my violent gasps, Jake released me.

Lily, Im sorry.

But until the dust settles, Ill have to keep you here, Im sorry.

Serenas reputation cannot be tarnished.

I smiled, tears rolling down my cheeks.

Youre really that afraid of me going out and telling the truth.

Im sorry

The door closed in front of me.

The room plunged into complete darkness.

My consciousness also faded into chaos.