Chapter 1
Eleanor's POV
I'm the youngest lead surgeon in our hospital's cardiothoracic department. My fiancé, Adrian Wexford, runs the whole department.
His first love, Bella Hartley, is a mediocre surgeon, but she wants to take over the surgery that should be mine before her promotion review.
In my last life, I fought for it. I told them she didn't have the skill to handle it alone, that it was gambling with a patient's life. I threatened to quit and saved the patient.
But Bella couldn't handle the gossip going around the department. She got depressed and jumped off the hospital roof.
Adrian never said a word about it. He kept treating me the same, picked out wedding rings with me, smiled and told me we'd go on our honeymoon right after the wedding.
I thought he'd let it go.
Then on our wedding day, one glass of wine in, I woke up in a freezing basement, strapped down to an operating table.
He held a scalpel and cut into me, inch by inch, his eyes bloodshot.
"If you hadn't fought so hard for that surgery, Bella wouldn't have jumped. You owe her. Pay with your life."
When I opened my eyes again, I was back in the afternoon he first suggested giving Bella the surgery.
This time, I didn't argue. I just smiled. "Sure. Let Bella take the lead on this one."
They have no idea that next Tuesday, the Chief of Surgery is bringing the board and a visiting specialist to observe, unannounced.
We'll see how they explain this one.
"Eleanor?"
The voice was warm, familiar.
My eyes snapped open. Cold sweat soaked through my back.
No surgical lights glaring down. No cold table underneath me.
Just the office, the plant in the corner, and Adrian sitting behind his desk in his white coat, still wearing that same composed, good-looking doctor's face.
Bella stood beside him, eyes red-rimmed, looking fragile as always.
I've been reborn?
I stared at Adrian's hands wrapped around his pen. Those same hands had cut me open piece by piece in my last life. My nails dug into my palms. It took everything I had not to lunge across the desk and tear his throat out.
"Eleanor, what's wrong with you? You look terrible." Adrian's brow twitched with a flicker of irritation, though his voice stayed as calm and gentle as ever.
I took a breath and buried the ice in my eyes. "It's nothing. Rough night shift. What were you saying?"
Adrian cleared his throat, not quite meeting my eyes. "About Tuesday's aortic valve replacement. You were supposed to lead it, but Bella's up for her review this year and needs a strong case on her record. You're already the best we've got, one case won't hurt you. Let her take the lead this time, and you assist. What do you say?"
Bella dropped her eyes immediately, twisting her fingers together. "I know it's a lot to ask, Eleanor. But I really need this. Adrian says you're generous enough to help me out. Right?"
Watching the two of them play their parts, I felt nothing but cold inside.
In my last life, when I heard this ridiculous request, I slammed my hand on the table and told them straight out that Bella couldn't handle a case like this alone, that it was reckless with a patient's life on the line. I argued until I was hoarse and finally threatened to resign before Adrian backed down.
But Bella couldn't take the humiliation, not with everyone in the department talking. She got depressed and killed herself.
And in the end?
The man I'd been with for five years, the one I was about to marry, blamed me for her death. He spent months being sweet to me, playing the perfect fiancé, all while fooling me with that gentle, caring act of his.
I saved the patient's life and lost my own.
Since fate gave me another shot, this time, I'll let them have exactly what they want.
I slowly unclenched my fists and let a soft smile spread across my face. "Sure." I looked at Adrian, my voice gentle but firm. "You're right. Bella needs the opportunity. We're in the same department. We should help each other out."
Adrian had clearly geared up for an argument. Hearing me agree so easily threw him off completely.
"Eleanor, what did you just say?"
"I said, sure." I kept my eyes steady, sincere. "Bella trained abroad for a long time. I trust her skills. Let her lead this one. I'll assist her."
Adrian's eyes lit up.
I turned to Bella. "You've got real potential in this field. I believe in your judgment. Go for it. The department will be proud of you."
Triumph flashed in Bella's eyes for a second before she buried it again, slipping back into her scared-rookie act. "Thank you, Eleanor. I won't let you down."
Adrian looked at me like I'd just proven myself worthy. "Eleanor, you always know how to do the right thing. Don't worry, once Bella gets settled in, I'll make it up to you. I promise."
Make it up to me? I sneered inwardly. With what? Your life?
