Chapter 2
The memories crashed through my mind like waves, each one hitting harder than the last.
I stayed silent, raised my gun, and pulled the trigger.
–
Mom finally lost it. Gone was the composed commanding officer-she turned into just another desperate woman, pounding her fists
against me.
I’d never seen the Colonel break down like this. Not even when I was taken hostage by those criminals years ago.
“Betty, I’m begging you-just do this one surgery. Do you really want me to get on my knees?”
“Or at least take a look, see if there’s any other way to save her?”
Dad stepped forward too.
“Look, you’re still here practicing your aim, so clearly nothing’s wrong with you. Get your ass to the OR right now.”
“Even if your hand is fucked up, you finish the surgery first, then fall apart!”
Bang.
Another bullet missed the target completely. Zero points.
I smirked.
“You sure about that? If Sarah dies on the operating table, whose fault is that gonna be?”
All three of them stared at me, disappointment written all over their faces.
Mom completely lost her shit. “What are you saying-that you’re planning to kill Sarah during surgery?”
I just smiled and said nothing.
“You psycho!”
The minutes ticked by.
For a pulmonary artery repair, you’ve got maybe forty-five minutes max. After that, not even God could bring her back.
That’s when Jake stepped up.
“Sir, ma’am-let me do the surgery.”
“Betty and I went to the same med school. I’m not that far behind her skillwise, and I’ve been her surgical partner on tons of cases. I know every step by heart.”
My parents hesitated. After all, this was their precious daughter’s life on the line.
Jake grabbed Mom’s hand.
“Ma’am, I know I’m not quite at that level yet, but with Betty’s robotic arm assisting, I can definitely pull this off.”
My heart skipped a beat.
ring with incredible
accuracy.
The success rate was already up to seventy percent.
My parents perked up when they heard this, but they were still worried.
“But it’s just a machine. Can it really be more precise than human hands?”
“No problem. With a few good assistants, I’ve got this.”
Suddenly, a dozen doctors pushed through the door, all volunteering to assist.
This was the Colonel’s daughter, after all. Save her life, and the promotions would definitely follow.
I turned to look at them-these same doctors who used to swear they’d follow me anywhere.
My parents finally relaxed, shaking Jake’s hand gratefully.
“Thank you so much, Jake. After the surgery, I’ll personally write you a recommendation letter. I’ll make you the youngest department head we’ve ever had.”
That was my dream too.
“Hold up-you want to use my robotic arm? Did you get authorization for that?”
Jake stared at me like I’d lost my mind. “Betty, are you insane? At a time like this, you’re worried about authorization?”
“That’s my intellectual property. Why should I give it to you for free? Just because you’re my boyfriend?”
Shame and anger twisted across Jake’s face, his eyes boring into me.
“Unless you sign over that house Mom and Dad bought-the one in their name-I might consider it.”
My parents were shaking with rage.
Dad raised his hand and slapped me again.
I just smiled. “A million per slap. Otherwise, forget about getting my authorization.”
