Chapter 49



Now, she is in the Cardiac Surgery Department and was trying to give you a leg up by offering you an assistant role. Tell me, with your skills, which hospital would consider hiring you?”

Belinda’s lips curled into a wry, almost mocking smile in response to Baker’s remarks. She knew that, in Baker’s view, only Kylee’s accomplishments were worth noting. Had he ever truly acknowledged her efforts? When she had presented Baker with a stellar report card, he had merely given it a cursory look before dismissing her, too absorbed in his work to care.

Throughout her university days, it had been true that her grades hadn’t been as good as Kylee’s. But that was because she had realized that every time her grades exceeded Kylee’s, Kylee would congratulate her with a strained smile. Holley had then advised her to step back and let Kylee stand out, as Kylee was always kind to her. Taking that advice, she had intentionally moderated her grades, scraping by just enough to pass. This strategy had seemed to lighten Kylee’s spirits, and she had even started offering to help Belinda study.

Looking back now, Belinda realized she had been too naive.

Responding calmly, Belinda said, “I already have a job now.”

Baker snorted disdainfully and said, “What kind of job? In some small hospital? Or a little clinic with no future? Quit and come work at Grand Plains General Hospital as Kylee’s assistant. Don’t turn down her help.”

His tone had become stern.

Belinda frowned slightly, ready to say something, but Carola spoke first.

“Stop! Belinda already has a job, so let her be. She doesn’t need to follow Kylee everywhere. She has her own life.”

Belinda pressed her lips together, feeling a sudden warmth in her heart.

Kylee chimed in, “Dad, if Belinda doesn’t want to come to Grand Plains General, we shouldn’t force her.”

Baker looked upset, and after a moment of silence, he said sharply, “Fine! Do what you want, Belinda! But I’d like to see which hospital hired you!”

After that, Baker ignored Belinda completely. Belinda wasn’t bothered by it.

After dinner, she went straight back to the Clark family’s home. As she entered the bedroom, she suddenly halted.

The spacious bedroom now housed two beds, a detail that immediately confused Belinda. Yet, she instinctively knew this arrangement was Harold’s doing. Without dwelling on it, she showered and climbed into bed, eager for a good night’s rest before her hospital duties the following day.

Just as she settled in, the door creaked open. The sight of Lucas brought Ryan’s words back to her. Those words echoed in her mind relentlessly. It was clear that Lucas loved Verena deeply.

Belinda gave Lucas a chilly look before turning her gaze away. Lucas simply ignored her look, and the room quickly sank into silence.

Belinda turned in early. But deep into the night, a nightmare abruptly woke her. She sat up, gasping for air, her forehead slick with cold sweat. After a while, she gently closed her eyes, took deep breaths to steady herself, and slipped out of bed to the balcony.

There, she curled into the swing chair, hugging her knees to her chest—a reflection of her swirling fears. In her dream, Baker, Holley, and even Lucas had plotted to kill her. Just as Holley had been about to plunge a dagger into her heart, she had woken up, her heart pounding with fear. She couldn’t fathom why she had had such a terrifying dream about the people closest to her.

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