Click!

Veronique switched on all the lights above the operating table.

Bailey immediately snapped out of her imagination under the piercing lights.

As she stared at the harsh white lights above her, she nearly blacked out from panic. Her entire body began to quiver.

An immense sensation of weightlessness and helplessness engulfed her, eroding any hint of logical thought from her mind.

Bailey hurriedly clutched the rails of the operating table. With pale, quivering lips, she muttered, “I can't do this, Vero. I simply can't get over that psychological barrier. Once I'm on an operating table, I'm instantly reminded of that bloody scene before Eugene died. He was just a child, for God's sake! I-I can't conquer my demons. Let's just leave. Please.”

After that, Bailey forced herself to turn around and leave.

However, Veronique hastily grabbed her by the elbow.

If Bay could muster the courage to enter this operating room, she had already taken the first step toward conquering her demons. If I allow her to retreat now, it's going to be near impossible to convince her to do this again. Everything still depends on how she reacts when she touches a scalpel. I can't allow her to give up now when we're so close.

With those thoughts in mind, Veronique coaxed, “Listen to me, Bay. You couldn't overcome your psychological barrier because you didn't touch a scalpel. Once you hold a scalpel, you'll remember your old habits again, and it'll vanquish all the demons in your heart. Trust me!”

Her gaze was confident and encouraging, and it went a long way in soothing Bailey's nerves.

“But—”

Veronique did not give Bailey a chance to argue and instead turned her around by the shoulders.

Then, she stretched out her hand and grabbed a rabbit out of a cage. Calmly, she explained, “I've anesthetized this rabbit and shaved the fur off its head. Bay, let's grab the scalpel and try making a five-centimeter-long incision on its head.”

Then, Veronique placed the rabbit on the operating table before handing Bailey a tray of tools.

The tray held every surgical tool one could think of. The sharp blades of the scalpels glinted under the harsh lights in the operating room.

Bailey shook her head furiously and broke free from Veronique's hold. Clutching her head, she wailed in anguish, “Take them away! All of them! Please!”

Veronique pursed her lips in frustration. Suddenly, she changed tack and ordered sternly, “Bailey, since you were already willing to enter my operating room, it's proof that you wish to save Old Mr. Chivers. We can't turn back now. If you don't save him, he'll definitely die.”

Shudders racked Bailey's slender frame.

She's right. I came here to conquer my demons. I want to hold a scalpel again and save Old Mr. Chivers' life. That is how I can repay him for his kindness toward Granny and Mom. How can I give up now when I haven't even tried?

Urging herself to calm down, she eventually felt her nerves relaxing.

Bailey declared, “Fine. I'll give it a try.”

With that, she reached out shakily for a scalpel for skull surgery.

It was evident from her gaze that she was fighting an emotional breakdown the moment she touched the scalpel handle. Everything appeared to be clouded in a red haze, and Bailey thought she smelled blood.

The familiar nightmare was about to eat up her soul.

She saw blood oozing out of Eugene's skull, warm and sticky. In her nightmare, however, the blood was like a corrosive poison that eroded everything in its path.

Bailey's heavy breathing echoed through the silent operating room.

She placed a hand over her racing heart, forcing herself to move the scalpel closer to the rabbit's skull.

Her hands shook so violently that the scalpel could not land on its mark.

Upon seeing the sight, Veronique could not help but sigh to herself.

If Bay's acting like this, forcing her to hold a scalpel is pointless. Her hands are shaking so hard. How can she perform high-risk and complicated craniotomy at this rate?

“That's enough, Bay. Don't force yourself.”

As she spoke, Veronique reached out to hold Bailey's wrist, trying to get her to retract her scalpel.

To her surprise, Bailey pushed her aside and said, “No.” Taking a deep breath, Bailey inserted the sharp scalpel into the rabbit's head.

Blood immediately oozed out of the incision.

Bailey's face paled as she drew the scalpel further downward. Eventually, her face was devoid of color.

More and more blood gushed out of the opening on the rabbit's skull. Bailey could not bring herself to go any further and let go of the scalpel in her hand.

Clang!

Just as the scalpel clattered on the floor, Bailey lost all strength in her legs as she collapsed on the cold ground.
The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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