Chapter 1
When my sister was airlifted to the military hospital with a ruptured pulmonary artery after her supply convoy got ambushed, I was at the shooting range practicing with my sidearm, movements clean and precise.
Thirty seconds later, my fiancé Jake burst through the blast doors, fury written all over his face. “Betty! Your sister’s dying! You’re the only one who can save her-all the brass are waiting outside! You can’t just let her die!”
I knew I was the only surgeon
here who could pull off the microvascular repair she needed.
But I just gave a flat “hmm” and kept loading my clip.
My parents rushed in right behind him. Dad threw a punch that connected with my right hand.
“That’s your own sister! She saved your life once! How can you just let her die? What kind of monster are you?”
Hearing that, I just pushed them back and rolled up my right sleeve, revealing the horrific scars running down my arm.
This hand that had saved countless lives in combat zones was now trembling uncontrollably.
“Sorry to disappoint you, but this morning’s physical found nerve toxin in my system.”
“This hand? It’s done.”
***
The shooting range, which had been buzzing with noise just moments before, fell dead silent.
All three of them stared at my right hand.
9
M
57
三 752
This was the hand that had performed countless high-risk surgeries, the one they used to call the “miracle hand” of the field hospital.
Now it was ugly, shaking uncontrollably, marking my fall from grace.
Jake was the first to snap out of it. He shook his head.
“Cut the act, Betty. You were fine yesterday-how could your hand just suddenly be fucked up today?”
I held my hand up in front of Jake, my voice ice-cold:” Maybe this is God’s way of saying Sarah’s time is up.”
Jake was so pissed he couldn’t even speak.
Mom rushed over and grabbed my right hand, begging desperately. “Betty, honey, are you still jealous of Sarah?”
“Please, baby, just do this one surgery. Without Sarah, you wouldn’t even be here!”
I looked up at her with dead eyes.
When I was a kid at a military camp, I’d somehow fallen into the river. Sarah, who was passing by, jumped in and saved me.
Mom and Dad were so grateful to the orphaned Sarah that they brought her home.
From that day on, whatever I had, Sarah got too.
I knew it was fair-Sarah was better than me at everything. She was more suited to be their daughter.
The thing is, she actually lived up to it.
13.20
Chapter 1
When we both tried out for the military, I got cut because of food poisoning.
Dad had always dreamed I’d become a soldier, lead troops, maybe even make general. I failed that dream, but Sarah made it happen.
That’s when the scales of love started tipping.
Mom would always say Sarah needed more nutrition because she was going into combat, so all the good stuff went her way.
I knew, but I just nodded along.
Yeah, made sense.
Since I couldn’t make it on the battlefield, I’d be the backup.
I became the best damn field surgeon they had, but Mom and Dad still thought I didn’t measure up to Sarah…
Facing Mom’s accusation, I didn’t say a word. Just kept loading bullets.
Dad lost it. He walked over and slapped me across the face.
It was the first time Dad had ever hit me. I had no idea his slap could hurt that much.
“Betty, did you sell your soul to the devil? Even if she’s not your blood sister, she’s lived with us all these years.”
“Think about it-hasn’t Sarah always looked out for you?”
