Chapter 2

Harper appeared as though she wanted to approach me, but Ezra, standing beside her, held her arm more tightly.

"Yanyan, my eyes hurt."

I lifted my head slightly, noticing Ezra's unfocused gaze.

Harper's expression changed instantly.

Ignoring me, she instructed the bodyguards to lock me inside the villa first, as she needed to accompany Ezra to the hospital.

As they passed me, Harper didn't spare me a glance, while Ezra smirked mockingly, as if laughing at my helplessness.

My hands, gripping the wheelchair, trembled incessantly.

Years ago, it was because of Ezra that Harper banished me to the remote island. I was an eye surgeon, and Ezra was my patient. During surgery, his eyes inexplicably lost sight. Despite numerous doctors testifying that it wasn't the surgery's fault, Harper insisted I was a villain trying to harm Ezra and exiled me to the island for reflection.

Years apart, Harper and Ezra were closer than ever.

There seemed no place for me here.

The bodyguards seemed ready to push me into the villa, but I quickly stopped them, quietly begging for some food.

The bodyguard hesitated; perhaps I looked too frail, so he complied.

When I was wheeled into a nearby convenience store, I heard a surprised voice.

"Dr. Evan? How are you here?"

I hunched over, trying hard to minimize my presence.

No one had called me a doctor in a long time.

On the island, those who brought me food would humiliate me daily, saying I wasn't worthy of being a doctor.

Now, hearing the word doctor made me tremble. How could I ever pick up a scalpel again?

"Dr. Evan?"

She called a few more times. Maybe seeing no response, she walked toward me.

But I could only keep my head down, constantly denying.

"You've got the wrong person. I'm not Dr. Evan. I'm worthless. I shouldn't harm people. I'm not worthy of being a doctor..."

Hearing my words, she was stunned.

The next second, she suddenly held my shoulder: "Calm down, Evan. I'm your former patient. Do you remember me?"

She repeated it several times before I slowly looked up.

Seeing this familiar face, I finally remembered. It was Stella.

She had an eye infection before and nearly went blind. I saved her eyes after a day of emergency treatment.

Chapter 2

After that, Stella was always very grateful to me.

Sweat still beaded on my forehead, but my heartbeat finally calmed down.

Stella looked at me in shock, seemingly unable to believe how much I'd changed.

I breathed heavily, unable to utter a single word.

There were still bodyguards around.

Stella glanced around, as if realizing something, and whispered if I wanted to leave with her.

Once I finished eating, I’d be taken back to Harper's villa.

What awaited me could be more humiliating punishment.

She always treated me like a criminal, and there was no way she’d let me off easily.

I clutched Stella's wrist tightly, nodding with tears in my eyes.

Taking advantage of the moment when the bodyguards were buying food, Stella abruptly pushed my wheelchair and took me out of the convenience store.

Footsteps immediately sounded behind us!

Stella calmly hid me in a nearby alley. After they split up to search, she took me to her car.

She currently lived in a high-rise apartment.

Once at Stella's home, my numb nerves finally relaxed a bit.

She warmed up some food for me and asked what had happened.

I just shook my head, unable to say a word.

On the island, I endured inhuman torment.

But what was the point of speaking about it?

Everyone thought I was the sinner who caused Ezra's blindness. Harper was eager for my death. What was the point of saying anything?

Seeing I wouldn't talk, Stella didn't press.

She just gave me a key, telling me I could stay as long as I wanted.

"Just stay. I can afford to support you. We can talk when you're ready to leave."

She playfully patted my shoulder.

I was somewhat grateful.

Judging by my appearance, I must have gone through something awful, but Stella didn't pry since I wasn’t willing to share.

So, I stayed at Stella's place.

But I knew it was only a matter of time before Harper found me.

She was incredibly powerful. What couldn't she do?

Sure enough, within a few days, Harper broke down Stella's door and dragged me out.