Chapter 2 Guilt

"This is the doctor on duty last night," the hospital director said. "Dr. Debora Griffith."

Isaac's assistant, Willie Calderon walked into the room and peered at the name plate on Debora's lab coat. "Come with me."

Debora was understandably confused.

"Where are we going?"

But the hospital director wasn't keen on answering her question. He pulled her rather forcefully and said, "Just go. Don't keep Mr. Johnston waiting."

Soon enough, she found herself in the hospital director's office.

Isaac was seated on the sofa, his lean and muscular body leaned back in a casual position, his long legs crossed in front of him. It would take a sharp eye and a closer look for one to realize that his lips were paler than normal.

Luckily, the pungent smell of disinfectant that permeated the hospital walls covered up the smell of blood on his skin.

He was dressed in a pure black suit, which also helped mask the red stains that would have otherwise alarmed everyone around him. There was a hard edge to his expression, one that told people he had gone to hell and back, and that he wasn't someone to trifle with.

Willie walked over to the sofa and leaned close to whisper in Isaac's ear. "The surveillance videos from last night were deliberately tampered with, likely done by your assailants. They cleaned up their tracks and removed any possible evidence. This is Dr. Debora Griffith, the resident on duty last night. The hospital director confirmed it himself. I've double-checked the records as well. It is indeed her."

Only then did Isaac raise his eyes.

There was a sharp intake of breath as Debora realized that the man before her was the boss of the Paramount Corporation.

"Are you the person who helped me last night?" Isaac asked, eyeing her from head to toe.

Debora immediately ducked her head, not daring to meet the man's formidable gaze.

"Yes... I—It was me." She wasn't exactly sure what this was about, but she knew that it would be in her best interests to get in Isaac Johnston's good graces. Benefits were bound to be had.

It just so happened that the Military Central Hospital was about to select candidates for internship.

And while it was labeled as such, everyone in the industry knew that the interns would be eventually absorbed into the workplace and live out their careers in the institution.

If nothing else, the Military Central Hospital had access to resources that were far better than the ones in this hospital.

Debora was planning to cosy up to Isaac in hopes of using his connections to get into the better hospital.

"I can compensate you in any way you want, even marriage." Isaac's cold voice suddenly interrupted her thoughts. His face remained aloof, but the thought of last night's tryst softened the hard line of his mouth.

"Well... I..." This was so much more than Debora had imagined that she struggled to find the right response.

"Come to me once you've made up your mind." Isaac stood up before gesturing for Willie to give her his contact number.

The hospital director hurried over and offered to escort Isaac out of the building.

"That won't be necessary," Isaac refused, his entire demeanor turning cold again. Then he stopped, as if something else had occurred to him. He turned back to the director and said, "Please take care of her."

"Of course," the hospital director assured him with a practiced smile.

After making sure that they were well out of earshot, Willie sidled up to Isaac. "Sir," he said in a quiet but urgent voice, "you're already married. I don't think marriage is a viable option for Miss Griffith. You should rescind that offer."

Isaac's lips twitched at the mention of his marriage, and his face darkened even further when he thought of the woman he had been forced to wed. "Do you want to die?" he threatened his assistant.

Willie knew he had said something he shouldn't have, and he promptly shivered. At this point, he didn't know who angered his boss more—the new bride or the person behind last night's attack.

Meanwhile, Camila returned to the villa she was meant to share with her husband.

The middle-aged housekeeper, Glenda Rivera, met her at the foyer, her face etched with concern. "Why were you out last night, Madam?"

"I had to take over a colleague's shift," Camila answered.

Her eyes were red-rimmed and stinging from exhaustion.

Seeing this, Glenda thought better than to press further.

Camila trudged upstairs and soaked in the bathtub. Her thoughts unwittingly wandered back to the previous night, and she felt her cheeks turn hot. She took a breath and sank into the water, as if to escape from the unsettling memory.

Her feelings on the matter were complicated, and she didn't know where to start.

She didn't even have any idea what sort of person that man was.

More importantly, she was married.

She felt a pang of guilt at the thought. Despite the circumstances that had led them to their current status, the fact remained that she and Isaac were husband and wife.

Camila got out of the bath, put on her clothes and prepared to go out again.

Sure enough, Glenda fussed over her as soon as she came back downstairs. "Are you leaving again so soon? Why don't you have breakfast first?"

Camila glanced at the time. "No, I'll be late for work."

Glenda was aware that Camila was a doctor, so she knew that it was normal for this young lady to spend an inordinate amount of time at work. Glenda handed Camila a glass of milk. "Drink this, at least. Careful, it's hot."

"Thank you," Camila said softly, warmed by the housekeeper's concern.

"You're welcome," the housekeeper smiled kindly. The marriage might have been forced, but she knew well enough not to look down on Camila. Even without the title of Isaac Johnston's wife, Camila was a professional doctor, and that made her more than worthy of respect.

After finishing the milk, Camila returned the glass to Glenda and headed out.

She didn't go straight to the staff lounge, though. She had left home early because she needed to drop by the In-Patient Department.

Her mother was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit.

Camila silently entered the ward and checked her mother's condition. Her mother was still in a bad shape.

Camila's heart sank.

Her mother had suffered from heart failure and was in a critical condition. The only way to keep her mother alive was a heart transplant, which naturally would cost a fortune.

The main reason why Camila had agreed to the marriage was that her father had threatened to withhold the money needed for the surgery.

Now that she got married as her father required, all they needed was a suitable heart donor.

Camila cast a bitter glance at her mother. "Mom, I will make you better. I promise."

Her mother was the person closest to her, her main supporter and trusted confidant.

Her phone suddenly rang.

Camila fished her phone from her pocket and answered the call.

"Mila," a male voice came through the line. "I need you to do me a favor."