Chapter 3 A Lesson Written in Blood

The moment Marvin made the suggestion, the other interns' eyes lit up.

"That's right. Marvin's mistake happened because he wasn't familiar enough with a child's heart anatomy. If we study the case properly, he'll be much better prepared next time."

"Mr. Sterling already signed the settlement agreement. According to hospital policy, if the family consents to donate the body for medical research or teaching purposes, everything is completely legitimate. Besides, it's a way for the child to make one final contribution."

They took turns talking, sounding self-righteous and enthusiastic.

"No!" I shouted. "You can't do this!"

The image from my previous life flashed before my eyes—my son's body carved apart beyond recognition.

Back then, it had felt as though someone had ripped a piece of my heart out. No parent could endure that kind of pain.

My body trembled as I tried to tell them the truth. "You don't have the right to do this because he isn't—"

"Enough!" Grace cut me off sharply. Every trace of patience had vanished from her face.

"The child is already gone. That is a fact we can't change. If his death can contribute to medical research and help save more children, isn't that far more meaningful? Why are you being so selfish? Why can't you see the bigger picture?"

At that moment, Marvin spoke again. "Dr. Harper, I heard there are several pediatric patients waiting for organ transplants. Maybe some of his organs could be a match. If his death can save other children, that's real compassion. That's a real sacrifice."

"Shut up!" I whipped around and glared at him.

The look on my face made him instinctively retreat behind Grace.

Grace's expression darkened completely. "Then, it's settled."

She turned toward the interns. "Marvin, you're in charge. Everyone else will assist. Follow proper procedures and document everything."

"Yes, Dr. Harper!" Marvin answered immediately.

The others looked eager to begin. They wheeled the body away.

When I tried to stop them, they shoved me aside. I collapsed helplessly onto the floor.

Then, a thought suddenly struck me. As long as I found the child's parents, I could stop all of this.

I rushed to the admissions desk and asked for information.

The answer left me stunned. No child had been admitted to the emergency department that night.

That was impossible. Then, where did this child come from?

I began running through the hospital, asking everyone if their child was missing.

Every family gave the same answer.

No.

Some even thought I was cursing their children and chased me away.

Confusion and dread grew heavier with every passing minute.

If my parents had not sent me photos proving my son was perfectly fine, I might have started believing the child on that operating table really was him.

Eventually, I made my way to the anatomy teaching lab in the basement.

Peering through a crack in the door, I saw the body already lying on the dissection table.

The interns had changed into surgical gowns.

The buzz-cut intern said, "Marvin, take it slow this time. Make sure you understand the anatomy."

Another male intern held up his phone. "I'm recording everything. We can review it frame by frame later."

Marvin made the first incision. His movements were stiff and awkward. He cut through a blood vessel he should not have, and dark blood seeped out. "Oops. Messed up again."

The female intern shrugged. "It's fine. He's already dead. Just keep practicing."

They took turns working on the body. Their incisions were crooked and careless. The camera zoomed in on organs they had pulled out and handled like props.

Someone even laughed. "This is way more exciting than a surgical simulator."

My stomach churned violently. Acid rose into my throat, and I had to clamp a hand over my mouth to keep from vomiting.

Then, I saw them bring out a power saw. Its blade gleamed under the surgical lights.

"Marvin," one of them said, "since we're already doing this, why not open the skull too?"

A second later, a harsh mechanical sound filled the room.

I turned my head away, unable to watch. But the conversation that followed made every hair on my body stand on end.