Chapter 1 The Darkest Day of My Life
Miranda's POV
Today has been absolutely terrible!
This is definitely my Black Friday! The darkest day of my life!
I, Miranda Blackthorne, not only got kicked out by my mother, but also lost my chance to stay at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. Ever since I stepped into medical school, becoming a cardiac surgeon here has been my dream.
But today, everything fell apart.
I had just arrived at the hospital and changed into my scrubs when I got a call from my mother, Victoria Ashford.
"I'm getting married!"
My brain went blank for a moment. Ever since my father died of a stroke five years ago, Victoria hasn't stopped dating—young or old, the only common factor is money.
For Victoria, it seems like a dead husband isn't a life tragedy, but a window God opened for her.
But talking about marriage? This is a first.
"Mom, congratulations. To meet a man you want to marry, he must be really special."
Victoria ignored the sarcasm in my words. "The apartment we have now, I've already terminated the lease. Tomorrow I'm flying back to LA to prepare for the wedding. As for your stuff, it's all junk anyway. I've left it at the apartment management office. Come get it yourself!"
Wait.
My mom getting married really has nothing to do with me, but the apartment!
No!
She's never cared about me, but if she gives up the New York apartment, I'll be homeless tonight.
I had to bring up my sister, Victoria's biological daughter, trying to keep my only place to live.
Of course, I'm adopted.
My adoptive parents were married for years but couldn't have children, so they adopted me. A year later, they had their biological child, Eleanor Blackthorne.
I took a deep breath and said with a smile, "But Mom, Eleanor is still in New York..."
Victoria cut me off.
"Eleanor is coming back to LA with me!"
"What? She's giving up her job in New York?"
My sister Eleanor also went to college in New York, which is why Victoria moved from LA to New York. Eleanor and I graduated the same year, and supposedly, she works at an investment bank.
"None of your business. Eleanor is my daughter. She's so excellent, LA will have better opportunities waiting for her."
I sneered silently. Who even remembers I'm her daughter, too?
"You just stay in New York. I don't want to see you seducing my husband again!"
The phone hung up.
I felt completely powerless.
Victoria clearly knows what that dead adoptive father did to me, that bastard.
I've been working as an intern at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital for almost a year now, just one month away from becoming a full resident.
Honestly, I'd rather stay in New York alone anyway.
After finishing the morning surgery, I grabbed a moment and pulled aside Sophia Brown, a fellow surgical assistant, in the changing room.
"Honey, can you put me up for tonight?"
"What happened?" Sophia smiled, clearly familiar with my family situation. "Did your gorgeous mom take in another new boy toy?"
Sophia and I entered the department at the same time, both still just interns.
She rents a small apartment near the hospital. Poor me, after paying off my student loans each month, I barely have money left for food. So even though Victoria dumps all the chores on me, I can only live in the apartment she rents, enduring her cold mockery.
After all, she rented this apartment to visit Eleanor often, not for me.
Sometimes Victoria brings new boyfriends home. Each time, I'm smart enough to leave, crashing at Sophia's place, or staying in the on-call room.
I sighed. "She terminated the lease! She called today to tell me she's getting married."
Sophia looked conflicted. "But honey, my new boyfriend is coming over tonight. You know, a passionate night. If you don't mind, you can sleep on the living room couch."
I immediately remembered the disaster of the last time I stayed over. Sophia and a tall guy who was tall enough to hit the ceiling were making out and groping each other, their clothes scattered from the living room to the bedroom.
That night was indeed very 'passionate.'
I spent the whole night on the living room couch listening, and went to work the next day with dark circles under my eyes.
So I could only smile awkwardly. "It's fine, I'll find someone to switch shifts with. I'll work the night shift."
We chatted as we walked out of the changing room, neither of us noticing that the department director, Carl Sanchez, walked past behind us.
Finally off work, I walked dejectedly into the on-call room. I'd have to make do here tonight.
But what about tomorrow? What about the future?
I felt deeply worried about my future.
I took off my white coat and was about to put on my T-shirt when the door suddenly opened.
"Hey! What the hell!" I instinctively covered my bra-clad chest with my clothes and looked back.
Carl Sanchez?!
As the director, he doesn't need to work night shifts. Why is he here?
"Dr. Sanchez, I'm changing. Can you step out?"
I was a bit angry, but Carl's next move scared me.
The T-shirt in my hand was suddenly yanked away and tossed aside. The next second, he grabbed my wrist and pushed me against the wall. The pen on his white coat rubbed against my chest, making me wince in pain.
Jesus!
Has he lost his mind?
"Dr. Sanchez, please calm down," I tried to keep my voice steady, using my chin to point at the wedding ring on his finger. "Dr. Smith is still in the office outside; she could come in any moment. As a married man, you don't want everyone to know you're sexually harassing an intern, do you?"
Carl didn't care about my words and laughed, as if mocking my meaningless struggle.
"Dr. Smith has already left. I sent her to watch surgery recordings."
His sleazy eyes stared at my cleavage. "But you're right, this place isn't suitable. Miranda, I know you have nowhere to stay tonight. I can pay for a hotel room for you."
So he overheard my conversation with Sophia and planned to trap me in the on-call room!
"Dr. Sanchez, this is sexual harassment! I can report you to HR!"
Carl laughed dismissively.
"Report me? Are you sure? I'm the department director. Who will they believe, you or me? Miranda, I mean, don't you want to become a full resident?"
He leaned his head close to my ear, bit my earlobe, and rubbed it repeatedly with his wet, hot lips.
"It's actually very simple. You just need to make my dick feel good for one night!"
With that, his lips pressed hard against mine, trying to kiss me. I was so disgusted I almost threw up. I turned my head to dodge, but this damn man lowered his head to kiss my breasts!
Shit!
"Stop! Carl! Help!"
I couldn't help but yell loudly while raising my knee, trying to kick his crotch, but his huge body pinned me down completely.
His hands gripped my wrists even harder, his body pressed close, and I could even feel his erect penis under his white coat pressing against me.
"I love your struggle. You are so hot, Miranda, you're driving me crazy."
From the pressure, my breasts were almost spilling out of my bra. He lowered his head and licked my cleavage.
I stared at the ceiling, my eyes red, my teeth almost biting my lip until it bled.
I'd rather die than sleep with this disgusting man, but if I offend him, how can I stay at NYP?
Even if I escape today, what about later?
As long as I refuse him, he'll keep making trouble for me, constantly sexually harassing me. Starting tomorrow, I'll probably be completely banned from the operating room!
I tried even harder to push his head away, trying to get his disgusting tongue off my chest, but he wouldn't budge.
I had to take a deep breath and say:
"Dr. Sanchez, please listen to me." Carl finally stopped and looked up at me.
I put on a pitiful expression and squeezed out tears. "Dr. Sanchez, I... I... am willing. Can you really help me stay at the hospital? I really have nowhere else to go."
Carl indeed loosened his grip. "Miranda, I knew you'd make the right choice. That's my good girl. Don't worry, I'll help you."
Now!
Taking advantage of the moment he loosened his grip, I pulled out one hand, grabbed a pair of scissors from the table beside me, and stabbed hard into his arm. Carl howled, clutching his bleeding arm with his hand.
"You, Miranda, are you crazy?"
I kicked him away.
"Sick bastard! If you dare do this again, next time I'll completely ruin your hand!" With that, I picked up my T-shirt from the floor and stormed out. Behind me came Carl's angry roar.
"Miranda Blackthorne, don't let me see you again! Ever!"
I put on my clothes and wandered numbly through the streets. A cold wind blew, and I hugged my arms tightly.
What's worse than losing an apartment is losing your job at the same time!
Today really sucks.
This time, I'm truly completely homeless.
Suddenly, neon lights lit up across the street.
Pirates Bar.
I thought this was God's guidance. Alcohol is the magic potion to forget all pain.
But at that moment, I didn't realize that tonight would become a night I'd never forget for the rest of my life.
