19:15 0
His eyes shifted nervously, but his voice was firm. “I swear on my professional oath, this report is one hundr- ed percent accurate. If I faked it, may I drop dead on the spot!”
[LIE DETECTED. DEATH ON THE SPOT WILL BE MADE TRUE.]
The system’s voice had barely faded when a commotion erupted at the end of the hall.
Chapter 2
Chapter 2
19.16
A man in a hospital gown, his eyes wild and unfocused, was sprinting toward us, clutching a fruit knife and muttering to himself.
People screamed and scrambled out of his way, but the man had a single target. He lunged straight for the
doctor.
“It’s your fault!” he shrieked. “This is all your fault!”
Before the doctor could react, the knife plunged deep into his chest. His eyes widened in shock as he colla- psed, a crimson stain spreading rapidly across his white coat. Within moments, he was still.
Chaos erupted. The incident sent shockwaves through the hospital, and the police arrived quickly.
After they arrived, Colby, for reasons I couldn’t fathom, started pointing at me. “It’s your fault he’s dead!” she screamed. “If you hadn’t been arguing with him, you wouldn’t have agitated that patient! The doctor would still be alive! You’re a monster, Ruby!”
Ryan stepped toward me, his eyes cold, his expression confirming he agreed with her. “I never knew you were this kind of person, Ruby. The doctor is dead. Are you happy now?”
His friends closed in, their accusing whispers surrounding me.
Ryan grabbed my wrist. “Things have gone too far. You’re not getting away. I’ve arranged a place for you. You’ Il stay there until the day of the surgery.”
Without another word, he forced me into a car and drove me to a remote, windowless apartment. Inside, there was only a bed and a bathroom. A guard was posted at the door.
I sat on the bed, but I wasn’t scared. The moment Colby had baselessly accused me, I knew something was
wrong.
Late that night, while the guard was asleep, I used a piece of wire I’d hidden to pick the lock. I slipped out, called a cab, and disappeared into the night.
The next morning, Ryan discovered I was gone. He flew into a rage, sending his men to scour the city. He even filed a missing person’s report with the police.
During the search, Colby clutched her chest, the phantom heart condition still causing her real pain. She coughed weakly, “Ryan, what if she’s left the city? What about your surgery?”
Ryan scowled. “Impossible. She’s still here. I’ll turn this entire city upside down if I have to. We will find her. Without her, Colby, what will happen to you?”
Colby started to say she was fine, but in the next second, her eyes rolled back and she collapsed.
Ryan’s eyes went wide with terror. He rushed her to the hospital.
