Chapter 2

The air in the room instantly froze. The expressions on their faces morphed into pure shock. They stared intently at my right hand. That slight, yet fatal, tremor was a death sentence for any top surgeon's career.

My mom's lips trembled. "How… how can this be?" she stammered, disbelief etched across her face. "It was fine yesterday! Are you just overtired?"

"It's idiopathic tremor. The cause is unknown," I said, pulling my hand back and sliding it into my lab coat pocket. "Maybe it's fate."

"Fate?" My dad, Richard, frowned, his voice laced with accusation. "Audrey, don't talk nonsense! Are you… are you still blaming us?"

I didn't answer. My gaze simply returned to the surgical simulator.

Eighteen years ago, I was found in a small, forgotten town and brought back to the Stevens family.

It turned out that Chloe, the precious daughter they’d raised for eighteen years, was an imposter. And I was the true heiress.

My adoptive parents had died young, and my life had been incredibly difficult. When I returned to the Stevens’ home, I was sensitive and insecure.

It was Chloe who gave me the most warmth.

She taught me etiquette, bought me beautiful clothes, and defended me everywhere, saying we were real sisters and that I shouldn't feel constrained.

My parents also said that Chloe was their daughter too; they loved both of us like their own, equally cherished.

Because Chloe’s original family background was very poor, they couldn’t bring themselves to send her away, so they decided to raise both of us.

I was grateful to them, and I was grateful to Chloe. I studied hard, pushing myself to become their pride, swearing I would protect our family of four.

Until now…

Seeing my silence, Mom’s tears suddenly gushed out. She yelled at me, "Audrey! Are you still holding a grudge?! Just because we doted on Chloe a little more, you’re holding it against us, and now you’re going to just let her die?!"

"Did you forget how much Chloe cared for you?! When you stayed up late studying, who was it that constantly made you nourishing soups?!"

Her words pierced my heart, and for a fleeting second, it ached.

Dylan quickly stepped forward to support my mom.

"Eleanor, please don't get upset. Audrey isn't like that!" He then turned to me, his eyes filled with heartache. "Audrey, I know you have your grievances, but Chloe is innocent! You can't let your personal feelings overshadow your duty as a doctor!"

My dad, Richard, who was always a dignified university professor, had reddened eyes and a hoarse voice.

"Audrey, even if your hand is injured, you could at least go in and guide them! Chloe is your sister, you can't just stand by and watch her die!"

But I remained unfazed, simply continuing to adjust my equipment. My mom finally broke down. She dropped to her knees with a thud, sobbing hysterically.

"How could I have raised such a cold-blooded, heartless daughter?! Chloe is so kind, she always let you have your way, and now… now you're going to force her to die?!"

Her cries were piercing, as she pounded the floor, drawing curious and judgmental stares from other medical staff outside. I just smiled faintly.

"Then that's her fate, I suppose. There's nothing I can do."

Then, I sat back down and picked up the operating stick of the surgical simulator again.

On the screen, the robotic arm began its work once more. I was completely focused, as if everything outside had nothing to do with me.

Seeing my cold demeanor, my dad swayed slightly. Dylan looked at me, seemingly utterly disappointed.

He took a deep breath, as if making a momentous decision.

"Richard, Eleanor, don't beg her anymore." He turned to my parents, his voice firm. "Let me do it!"