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Even private doctors refused to treat her,fearing she'd crossed someone powerful,not wanting to cause trouble.
My parents took me to specialists worldwide,but no doctor could guarantee my hands would return to their pre-injury state.
I used to wield a scalpel with rock-steady precision for hours.
Now,I couldn't hold chopsticks without trembling.
I trained my wrists daily,but always failed, and my scheduled surgeries were canceled.
Some desperate families,unable to wait,came to my home,kneeling at the door.
"Dr.Lawson,please save my dad!He raised me.I can't lose him so early.Name your price—I'll sell my blood,my kidneys.Money's no issue.I can't live without him!"
My parents didn't know how to handle it,fearing I'd be hurt if I went out.
I reassured them I knew these families and could manage.
Stepping out,I felt deep guilt but had to be honest.
"I want to save your father more than you do.Before,I'd have done everything to help.But now,I can't hold a scalpel."
I demonstrated how my hands shook when holding chopsticks,revealing the ugly scars on my arms.
Many of my patients had come to me because their cases were extremely complex—either tumors located in risky areas or rare conditions.If the surgeon's hand isn't steady,one mistake could cost a life.
Seeing my condition,they broke down.
"That woman,Vanessa Reed?I'll make her pay."
Nathan,under pressure,agreed to divorce.The house,car,and a million dollars in settlement went to me—his company,without James's support,had only a million dollars left.
"Claire,I didn't expect your family to be so ruthless.Vanessa was right—She is my true love,and I misjudged you."
At the divorce signing,Nathan hurled insults.I felt nothing,watching him calmly.
Post-divorce,Nathan's company struggled.He drank heavily at every business meeting.
My ex-mother-in-law,pitying her son,smeared me online,blaming me for ruining her chance at a wealthy life.
Her so-called "friends" from social circles stopped contacting her,and she complained bitterly,calling me responsible for her son being nearly forty with no children.
Some netizens attacked her,but she shamelessly ignored or deleted negative comments.
While she battled online,Nathan collapsed.
During a meeting,he vomited blood,convulsing.
In the ER,doctors ran full tests.
"Too much drinking overwhelmed his stomach,causing bleeding.He'll need rest to recover."
"But there's something serious.During the scan,we found a brain tumor.Further tests are needed."
His mother rushed him to inpatient care.Nathan,learning of the tumor,dropped work to focus on treatment.
But after further diagnosis, the attending physician told him,"Your disease is extremely rare,and the tumor's near the brainstem.Years ago,surgery might've been possible,but now,no one here's qualified.The location demands extreme precision and skill.One mistake,and you're gone."
Nathan pressed,"What do you mean'years ago'?Why not now?"
The doctor,unaware Nathan was my ex,sighed."My senior colleague,a top surgeon,handled the toughest cases.Her hands were unmatched,steadier than her mentor's,who said she'd surpass him.But recently,her hand tendons were severed.Even repaired,she can't perform surgery anymore."
The more he spoke,the deeper Nathan's dread grew.He didn't dare ask the surgeon's name.
He scoured the world for doctors to treat him.
Every one,without fail,named me:Claire Lawson.
My name haunted him.
