Chapter 1

Mariella's Point-of-View

Upon hearing that I wanted to change shifts, my colleague Emma Kerr was absolutely delighted; after all, not many doctors were eager to work in the deserted, silent ER on such a cold winter night.

Emma said, "You've already worked eight hours straight during the day, Mariella. You sure you want to swap shifts with me? You see, I'm quite concerned about the physical strain on you if we get a surgical case."

I smiled faintly, replying, "You can rest assured that I have plenty of energy and am more than able to manage a surgery, Emma."

Upon hearing that, Emma finally relaxed and stepped out of the ER.

I put on my surgical mask to prepare for the surgery ahead. I was aware that Logan Lane, my husband, and Yvonne Colton, his lover, would arrive at the hospital in 30 minutes. I also knew that their genitals would be stuck together due to a sex toy they used.

In my past life, I was notified while Emma operated on them—the scene overwhelmed me so much that I passed out on the spot. I had just regained consciousness when Logan—who had a successful surgery—claimed that I had contributed little to our marriage and threatened that I would get nothing if I divorced him.

In this life, I was determined to let Logan experience what it was like to be threatened with an assetless divorce.

Just as I had expected, the ambulance siren blared, and Logan and Yvonne were rushed into our hospital's ER, their screams of panic and fear breaking the silence of the late-night ER.

Logan snapped, "You'd better stop moving this instant, Yvonne! That damned thing up your ass will break my dick off!"

Yvonne yelled, "You're the one who insisted on using that thing. I only went along with it, Logan! Is there anyone around? Please help us!"

I peered through the door crack, noting that Logan was half-slumped over Yvonne, who kneeled beneath him. They were covered only by a single thin blanket, which served no purpose at all. They looked like two miserable dogs in heat at that moment.

Their suggestive visuals and their agitated outcries garnered the attention of the hospital personnel and patients alike. There was even a nurse who exclaimed, frowning, "Oh my! Isn't this too outrageous? H-Hold on! Why does that man look so familiar to me?"

Yvonne suddenly froze, as if she recalled something. She then tried to hush Logan, saying, "You should stop with all the yelling, darling! Isn't this the hospital where Mariella works? She'll definitely cause a huge scene if she discovers us!"

Logan furrowed his brows. "You don't have to worry about that since Mariella is not on shift today. You see, I told her I had a business trip in the next city over. Since she's so in love with me and depends on me for everything—financially and emotionally—she'd never suspect a thing!"

I had already experienced death before, but Logan's remarks still elicited a profound sense of desolation within me. I had concealed my background and cut off my relationship with Domenico Lombardi, my father and the Don of the Lombardi Famiglia.

I had entrusted Logan with my whole life, yet he had utilized my reliance to betray me with impunity. He even tried to coerce me with financial threats after I uncovered his affair with Yvonne, expecting me to accept his debauchery.

I wouldn't stand for it, but I ended up losing everything in the divorce. I died a brutal death under a heavy truck on the very day the court ruled against me.

I snapped out of my senses the moment I recalled the excruciating pain of being grounded under those wheels. I steadied myself, pulled on my surgical cap and mask, and walked out, ordering, "Get ready for surgery! I'll be doing this surgery myself!"

I decided that in this lifetime, it was their turn to experience the agony of betrayal and the loss of everything they had.