To repay a debt, she offered her wholehearted devotion, nursing a comatose man back to health, only to be framed by his first love's schemes. With tears in her eyes, she signed the divorce papers, left decisively, and transformed into an untouchable icon.
=====
"Put your signature on these divorce papers and get out of the Mitchell family's house right now!" Rodger Mitchell shouted, fixing his wife, Emilia Harris, with a cold stare, his eyes sharp enough to cut through her.
"I swear I didn't push Violet. Why won't you believe me?" Emilia's voice trembled.
Her reddened eyes spilled with unshed tears, while her ch**t ached with unbearable sorrow. "She leapt into the pool on her own--she framed me..."
"I've heard enough!" Rodger's patience snapped. His hand shot out, fingers tightening around her neck with cruel force.
Panic crashed into her, leaving her gasping for breath. Despite the suffocating pressure, she stared back at him, refusing to look away.
One lone tear slid down and landed on his knuckles, burning him enough that he jerked his hand back.
G**ping, Emilia tried to breathe, but a different kind of ache gripped her ch**t.
Three years she had given him everything--only for it to end like this.
Was this what her life had become? She had become nothing more than the b**t of everyone's jokes. To them, she was nothing more than a pitiful f**l to laugh at.
"If you sign the papers right now, you'll still walk away with thirty million, the beach house, and a new sports car. Drag this out, and you'll get nothing at all," Rodger threatened with cold indifference.
Emilia let out a brittle, sarcastic laugh. "You think that offer is generous?"
Fury lit his eyes, and for a moment he looked ready to strangle her again, but the raw despair in her gaze stopped him short.
Something twisted deep in his ch**t, though he shoved it down.
Maybe it was the sight of Emilia, helpless and broken, that made something inside him hesitate for the first time.
"Don't let your greed ruin what little you have left, Emilia. You nearly took Violet's life, and I haven't even started making you pay for that," Rodger said, his tone as cold as a winter storm.
"I never touched her! Whatever happened by that pool isn't on me!" yelled Emilia, frustration boiling over in her voice.
She could have shouted the truth until her lungs gave out, but not a soul here was willing to listen. Nobody in the Mitchell family gave her the benefit of the doubt.
"You're pushing me to my limits! If you hadn't been so heartless, she wouldn't have had an attack so suddenly! You knew exactly how little time she had left, and you still treated her like that!" Rodger's glare burned with accusation.
"You really want to talk about heartlessness?" Emilia shot back, her tone sharp as ice.
"When you had the car accident and became a vegetable, she, then still your girlfriend, abandoned you and went abroad. If her time is running out now, maybe that's just fate giving her what she deserves."
"Don't you dare speak ill of her!" Rodger barked, his hand shooting up, ready to strike.
Emilia moved faster this time, grabbing his wrist before he could touch her. Her gaze met his, eyes fierce and blazing with resolve.
Rodger had never seen this side of her before, and the sight stopped him cold.
She had always seemed weak and forgettable. When did she sharpen into someone who could stand like this?
"You! Who gave you the nerve--" Before Rodger could finish his sentence, her palm cr**ked across his face with stunning force, painting his cheek with a bright red mark.
The s**p rang out, echoing in the room.
"I've had enough! From this moment on, I owe the Mitchell family nothing," Emilia said, tearing her hand from his grasp.
Just then, his phone buzzed loudly. He answered, the scowl on his face deepening as he listened.
"What do you mean Violet's condition has worsened? Still nothing from Asclepius? Pay whatever it takes--get him here! We're running out of time for Violet!"
Asclepius--a guy who was rumored to have miraculous medical skills and had thus earned the title--was the only one who could cure Violet's illness.
Rodger ended the call, turning on Emilia with a glare that could have cut glass.
"If anything happens to Violet, I'll make sure you spend the rest of your life paying for it!" With a sneer, he tossed out his threat and stormed off down the hallway.
Tears shimmered in Emilia's eyes, turning them a deep red. As she watched his retreating back, a hollow laugh slipped from her lips.
If not for everything she'd done, Rodger would still be trapped in a hospital bed, lost in a world of darkness.
All she ever gave was loyalty. Still, her dedication meant nothing next to the admiration he reserved for another woman--Violet Morgan.
A memory flickered through Emilia's mind--Violet's voice still echoed, moments before she plunged into the water.
"You might have taken him from me, but getting him back would take nothing but a whisper."
Emilia could never forget that look of victory in Violet's eyes or the sly smile that curled on her lips.
A harsh, bitter laugh escaped as tears slipped down Emilia's cheeks. Under her breath, she muttered, "Violet, you may have won this time. But your fate is in my hands."
The truth was, the real power had always rested with her. Behind the name everyone whispered in desperation--Asclepius--stood Emilia herself, the one healer who could work miracles.
A steely resolve flashed in her eyes. Picking up the pen, she scrawled her signature across the divorce papers, not pausing for a second.
It was all over. Everything was over. The marriage that had consumed three years of her life had ended in ruin.
Her gaze shifted to the portrait of Arthur Mitchell, Rodger's late grandfather.
"Arthur," she murmured, "you gave me another chance at life. Today, that debt is settled. I walk away owing nothing to your family."
She gathered her things without fuss. Head held high, Emilia stepped out of the Mitchell home, never glancing back.
Chapter 2 Resurface
Inside the hospital's bustling entrance, Emilia strode through with her suitcase in hand.
Once she'd left the Mitchell estate, Emilia made straight for the hospital the moment she learned her bestie, Sloane Stewart, had been admitted.
She barely reached the hallway when Rodger's little brother, Sebastian Mitchell, blocked her path.
Sebastian had always gone out of his way to sneer at her, finding every opportunity to take jabs.
"You've got some nerve showing your face around here!" Sebastian snapped, his glare brimming with anger. "Violet nearly died because of you!"
Emilia's expression didn't waver. "What happens to Violet is none of my concern," she said, her voice colder than steel. "Now step aside."
"Why would I? You came here to cause more trouble, didn't you?" Sebastian shot back, annoyance twisting his features.
"I'm giving you one last chance. Move out of my way," said Emilia, her gaze hardening with a dangerous edge.
Sebastian squared his shoulders, refusing to give an inch. "I'm not budging!"
Without another word, Emilia seized his arm and flipped him flat onto the floor, moving with unexpected force.
A heavy thud filled the hallway, followed by Sebastian's gr**n of pain. He hardly had a chance to process what happened.
Without looking back, Emilia stepped right over Sebastian, ignoring him as he writhed on the floor.
From behind, Sebastian's voice, twisted with rage, rang out. "Emilia! You'll regret this!"
Elsewhere in the corridor.
"Well, would you look at that!" Wilbur Collins let out a whistle, his eyes wide with surprise.
"When did Mrs. Mitchell become such a force to be reckoned with? I always thought she was sweet and quiet. Guess she fooled all of us."
Elias Dixon's gaze stayed fixed on Emilia, his expression unreadable. His cool stare tracked her every move. There was something about her boldness and swiftness that had caught his eye.
"You're still staring, Elias? Don't tell me you've got an interest in her," Wilbur teased with a sly grin.
Seated in his wheelchair, Elias kept his gaze cool. His slender fingers tapped a steady rhythm against his thigh.
Several years ago, an orchestrated ambush had nearly stole his life, leaving him broken after the crash. Although the accident hadn't ki**ed him, Elias would never walk again.
Without a miracle from Asclepius, he faced a lifetime tied to this wheelchair.
Every time he recalled how his search had led straight to Inferno--the infamous assassin syndicate--a cold, ruthless spark ignited behind his narrowed gaze.
There was no doubt in his mind. Lord Inferno--the leader of this organization--had a hand in this mess.
"Any updates on Asclepius?" asked Elias.
Wilbur's usual smirk faded as soon as the words left Elias's lips, his expression turning grave.
"Tracking down Asclepius is like chasing a shadow. He vanished completely four years ago. No trace, no leads. If you ask me, finding him now is almost impossible..."
Wilbur let his eyes drift down to Elias's motionless legs, concern creasing his brow.
The only person capable of curing Elias was that arrogant physician, the one who dared call himself Asclepius.
A shadow passed over Elias's features, his voice barely above a whisper. "Let's go."
All hope had been drained from him, replaced by reluctant acceptance. Life in a wheelchair would be his new reality.
Wilbur's hand was just reaching for the wheelchair's grip when his phone went off.
"Yeah, what is it?" He answered, trying to sound casual.
As the words came through the line, his expression transformed--shock, then disbelief, then something close to excitement.
Once he ended the call, Wilbur turned to Elias, a playful spark in his eyes. "So, I've got two pieces of news. You want the good one or the bad one first?"
Elias stared straight ahead, lips set in a hard line. He looked completely uninterested.
Wilbur gr**ned, throwing him a look of mock defeat. "You could at least pretend to care."
"I don't care about either," Elias replied, voice flat and cold.
"Are you sure?" Wilbur's grin widened, a spark of mischief in his eyes.
Lowering his voice, he leaned and whispered, "Asclepius just resurfaced."
For a split second, time stood still. A jolt of disbelief hit Elias. His hands balled into fists, tension written all over him.
He had already accepted that hope was gone, and no one could have foreseen a twist like this.
Chapter 3 The Chance
"Are you kidding me? How are you not reacting to that?" Wilbur said, eyeing Elias, who looked completely unbothered.
After all, Asclepius was the only doctor with a real chance of healing Elias's legs.
The truth was, Elias only looked composed on the outside. Inside, he was anything but calm. Beneath the surface, his thoughts churned.
Wilbur shrugged. "You're no fun at all." He didn't bother dragging it out any longer.
"Here's the story: Asclepius has finally resurfaced. The catch is, he's going to choose a random patient with a complicated case from the biggest racetrack in Oticester. Only one person will get treatment. Just imagine how many desperate people will show up. The odds of you being picked are slim at best…"
Wilbur cast a sideways look at Elias and let out a long sigh.
With chances that low, it was hard to stay optimistic--bad news indeed.
"Better to have a slim chance than none at all," Elias replied, his voice cold and even.
Wilbur nodded, trying to sound upbeat.
"You're right. We'll just have to hope for the best when the day comes. Maybe you'll get lucky." He started pushing the wheelchair down the hall. "He's got a nerve, naming himself Asclepius…"
A distant look settled on Elias's face. "Do you think he's earned that title?"
"If anyone has, it's him. The man's skills are the stuff of legend, especially with tough cases." Wilbur's voice picked up energy, eyes shining with admiration. "I mean it, he's in a league of his own."
A slight crease appeared between Elias's brows, almost unnoticeable, as Emilia's determined, frosty face flashed through his mind. Whatever else Wilbur said faded into the background.
...
Meanwhile, in a private hospital suite, Rodger stood at Violet's bedside, worry clouding his expression as he took in her pale features.
Suddenly, Sebastian burst through the door, frustration etched on his face.
"Rodger! Emilia has gone too far this time! Where is she? Hasn't she already started making trouble?"
Rodger shot him a sharp glare, silencing him in an instant. "Enough, Sebastian."
Sebastian recoiled, but couldn't help muttering, "She's the reason Violet's like this, and you're still defending her?
"I'm not defending her. I just want you to keep quiet so Violet can rest!" Rodger's patience wore thin, veins pulsing at his temples.
Realization hit Sebastian, and his tone softened. "Oh, sorry, Rodger. I got the wrong idea."
Right then, Violet's eyelashes fluttered and her eyes opened slowly.
The first thing she did was clutch Rodger's arm, panic in her voice. "Rodger, where's Emilia? I slipped and ended up in the pool, and she had nothing to do with it..."
Lowering her gaze, Violet chewed her lip, painting a picture of innocence and hurt.
Sebastian's frustration exploded. "Violet! I saw her push you! You almost died because of her. Why are you still making excuses for Emilia?"
Words caught in her throat, Violet looked like she wanted to defend Emilia, but all she did was bite her lip and pretend to look heartbreakingly fragile.
Rodger's expression softened. He pulled her close, wrapping her in a comforting embrace. "As long as I'm around, nothing bad will happen to you. I'll track down the miracle doctor and get you cured. I promise."
A tearful smile trembled on Violet's lips. "You've always been so good to me, Rodger. I never wanted to leave you, I just…" Her voice faltered as if her emotion overwhelmed her, the memories almost too much to bear.
Back then, Rodger might have been a vegetable for life, so she had abandoned him and gone abroad.
Her time overseas started out carefree, but a year ago, her life turned upside down. A rare illness plagued her, leaving her in agony every time it flared.
Doctor after doctor failed her, until she heard whispers that Asclepius was the only one who could help.
Hoping for a cure, Violet came home, the last rumors of the miracle doctor placed him in this city.
Along the way, she decided she could also win back the now-recovered Rodger and use him to find Asclepius.
"You don't have to explain. I never held any of that against you." Rodger brushed away her tears.
Suddenly, his phone vibrated. Irritated, Rodger answered, but as he listened, his frustration vanished, replaced by a burst of hope.
Sebastian leaned in, eager. "What is it, Rodger? Did something happen?"
Grinning, Rodger held Violet's hand. "Asclepius resurfaces! Violet, we finally have a real chance. I won't let you suffer anymore. I'll do whatever it takes to save you."
Chapter 4 The Miracle Doctor
Meanwhile, inside another private hospital suite.
"Why didn't you bother telling me you were admitted?" Emilia gave Sloane a sharp look.
"I didn't think it was serious enough to trouble you, my precious Asclepius," Sloane explained, clutching her arm with a pout.
Emilia could only shake her head, letting out a resigned sigh. "Trouble just follows you around, doesn't it?"
"Forget about my problems. Is it really true--you actually signed the divorce papers?" Sloane asked, the question slipping out with a heavy sigh.
For a moment, it seemed incredible that Lord Inferno, the leader of a notorious assassin organization, could be tangled up in a toxic relationship.
Emilia said with a quiet smile, "Yeah. It's true."
Sloane retorted, "Arthur's the only decent person in that whole Mitchell family. The rest of them are just fools!"
"That's enough," said Emilia, voice calm and even, signaling she was finished talking about the Mitchells.
"But why did you suddenly announce you'd pick some random patient?" Sloane's tone turned curious.
When Emilia kept quiet, Sloane clutched her hand in alarm. "Don't tell me you still care about him. Is this some trick to win him back? Please tell me you've got over him!"
Emilia let out a soft laugh. "Rest assured. Three years of being a fool was plenty for me. Ever since I walked out on the Mitchell family, I haven't once thought of returning."
Relief washed over Sloane, and her shoulders relaxed as though a weight had lifted.
"So what's really going on, then?" she asked, eyes bright with curiosity.
Lowering her voice, Emilia leaned in and explained, "I've managed to pick up a lead--whatever I'm searching for might be with the Dixon family. I need a disguise to get close."
Sloane's mouth fell open. "Wait, you're saying the other piece of--" She stopped herself mid-blurt, quickly whipping out her phone to type instead. "Are you saying the other half of the treasure map is in the hands of the Dixon family?"
Emilia gave a slow nod. "That's the hunch, but I can't say for certain yet."
"As long as this isn't about crawling back to that ba**ard, I'll let it go. But if you even waver, I swear I'll cut you off!" Sloane warned, her voice firm.
A genuine laugh left Emilia. "I won't make the same mistake twice."
"Good. That's the Emilia I like to see." Sloane's lips stretched into a smile as admiration glowed in her eyes. "You shine brighter when you're working toward something real. Oh, and-- are you going to tell your family what happened with the divorce?"
Emilia shook her head, answering softly, "No, let's keep it between us for now. I'd rather spare them the worry."
"Maybe that's for the best," Sloane remarked, a sly grin flickering as thoughts of the Mitchell family's fo**ishness crept in. "You know, if Rodger ever got a glimpse of your true identity, he'd be groveling in seconds."
With a cold edge, Emilia replied, "Then he'll be waiting at the end of the line, since there are numerous people doing so."
That got Sloane laughing hard. "That's exactly the Emilia I remember--fearless and confident! I wish I could see their jaws drop the day they discover who you really are. That's going to be a show."
Sloane kept talking animatedly, while Emilia listened with quiet focus, adding a word here and there.
...
A week drifted by.
The racetrack brimmed with people, but today, the crowd was thick with patients facing their final battles.
It wasn't an exaggeration to say the place looked more like a ward than a track. Each case brought its own grim weight.
"Have you ever seen anything like this? It's as if every critical patient in the country showed up today!"
"Even patients in comas were hauled in with entire medical teams. You can tell they belong to some wealthy family."
"Tsk! Asclepius really is influential."
"Yes! No one can deny his skill. He tackles the worst cases and somehow makes them walk out whole."
"With a name like Asclepius, you'd expect nothing less. People around here also call him a miracle worker, and they mean it."
People were discussing the various patients and the miracle doctor, Asclepius.
Sebastian whispered, "Rodger, is he really as extraordinary as everyone claims? Or is this reputation nothing but a lie?"
Rodger's eyes hardened, and he replied, "Stop doubting. If he weren't the real thing, the President might have..."
The unfinished sentence told Sebastian enough. He murmured, "So the rumors about him curing the President are true?"
Rodger's reply came flat and cold. "They're true."
Out of the corner of his eye, Rodger spotted a familiar silhouette--Emilia.
That woman again. She just couldn't leave him alone, even following him into a place like this.
Annoyed, Rodger surged forward and caught her by the wrist. "Why are you here, Emilia? What scheme are you trying to pull this time?"
......
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