Chapter 6

Reina/Ina

Three days passed quickly at the hospital. During those days, I gradually felt my strength returning, but along with it came an overwhelming sense of embarrassment that I could barely hide.

I was used to being in control of everything. But here at the hospital, even going to the bathroom and taking a bath required assistance from the nurse Zach had assigned to me. Whenever the nurse came in to wipe my body or help me walk to the bathroom, I could feel my face heating up with embarrassment. It was incredibly awkward for me to be this weak and dependent on someone else.

“Good morning, Ina,” a familiar voice greeted me.

I turned toward the door and saw Doc Zach walk in, holding my latest medical chart. He looked like he had just come from another long shift, but his posture remained as composed as ever.

“Good news. Your stitches are healing well, and all your vital signs are stable,” he said with a smile. “You can be discharged today.”

I let out a deep breath. I was finally safe, and at last, I could start making plans.

“What about my hospital bills?” I asked, glancing at the envelope hidden beneath my pillow. I had planned to use the cash Alejandro sent to pay for everything.

Zach lowered his clipboard and looked at me seriously.

“Don’t worry about that. I’ve already taken care of all your bills.”

I froze. My eyes widened in surprise.

“What? But, Doc, the ICU and private room must have cost a lot... I can’t let you pay for all of that.”

“Ina, listen,” he interrupted, stepping closer to my bed. “You said you’re alone and have no family. As your doctor, it’s my responsibility to make sure you can leave this hospital without having to worry about a heavy financial burden. I processed it through the hospital’s social service program and my personal staff discount. Your account has been cleared, so don’t worry anymore.”

My face grew even warmer, not just from embarrassment but also from the guilt that suddenly weighed on my chest.

He had spent money on me. He had worried about me. Meanwhile, I was standing before him under a false name, with a fabricated story about my life.

“Thank you... thank you so much, Doc,” I whispered, trying to hold back my emotions as I lowered my head.

“You’re welcome,” he replied, giving my uninjured shoulder a gentle pat. “Get your things ready. I’ll step out to sign your discharge papers, and then you can go home.”

When the door closed, I slowly took the brown envelope from beneath my pillow. I held the burner phone and the car keys that were waiting for me in the hospital parking lot.

I was finally free, but I would never forget Zach’s kindness.

I would live as an ordinary citizen for now, but once my revenge was over, I would make sure to return to Zach and repay everything I owed him.

“Here, I brought some clothes for you,” Zach said as he placed a paper bag on the bed. “They’re from my sister. They might be a little loose, but they’re better than your hospital gown.”

“Thank you, Doc,” I replied briefly as I looked at the clothes.

They seemed to be nothing more than a plain shirt and a pair of soft sweatpants, but they were enough to cover the bandages on my shoulder and side.

As I got my things ready, I could still feel the heaviness in my chest. The car keys left by Alejandro’s man in the parking lot were inside the pocket of my old jacket. My original plan was to head straight to the car after being discharged and go to the house to recover there.

But Zach suddenly leaned against the side of the table, folded his arms, and looked at me seriously.

“You said you’re alone and have nowhere to stay. If you want... you can stay at my house for a while until you recover.”

I froze where I stood. I almost dropped the clothes in my hands.

At his house?

My mind started racing.

No way. I couldn’t live with a stranger. Even if he had helped me, this might only complicate my plans further. I would need to use my phone to communicate with Alejandro, and that would be difficult if I had someone else in the house.

“Ah... Doc, that’s too much trouble,” I tried to refuse, keeping my voice gentle. “You’ve already paid my bills. I can take care of myself. I’ll just find somewhere to stay—”

“Don’t worry. You won’t have to see me around all the time,” he interrupted, as if he had guessed what I was thinking. “I practically sleep here at the hospital because of my back-to-back shifts. Besides, we have a housekeeper who’s been with us for a long time. She’ll keep you company and help you whenever you need to change your bandages or eat.”

I stared at him, looking for a reason to suspect his intentions, but I found none. All I could see in his eyes was genuine concern.

I still wanted to insist and tell him that someone would pick me up, but then I remembered the car in the parking lot.

If I refused Zach, he would surely escort me outside the hospital to make sure I was safe. And if he saw me getting into an expensive car provided by the Silver Team, despite having introduced myself as a poor working citizen with no family, he would definitely find it strange.

He would become suspicious.

I had to choose the safer option. It would be easier to make excuses inside his house when he wasn’t around than to answer his questions about why someone like me owned an expensive car.

I took a deep breath and forced a small smile, even though my face felt like it would crack from embarrassment and guilt.

“All right, Doc... as long as I won’t be a burden. Just temporarily, until I find a job.”

“You’re not a burden, Ina,” he replied gently. I noticed his expression relax slightly after I agreed. “Go on, change your clothes in the bathroom. I’ll wait outside so I can take you home.”

When the door closed, I leaned against the wall.

It seemed my plans were about to change.