Ruining Me, Ruining You

The earthquake struck suddenly, and everything around shook violently as if the entire world had lost its balance. I steadied myself and held onto the wall.

Then, I ran toward the door.

But Flora Blanche stood in front of me, blocking my way. Her face was pale, and she stood frozen in place as if she was scared out of her wits.

I gritted my teeth and pulled Flora along, intending to take her with me.

However, her expression suddenly changed. She broke free from my grasp and threw herself to the side. I didn't have time to process why she did that.

The next second, an immensely heavy object slammed into my back with great force. My vision went black, and I was instantly crushed by the cupboard behind me.

The cupboard was made of solid wood, and it weighed over 130 pounds. It was unbearably heavy. I very nearly suffocated under its weight as intense pain shot up from the right side of my body and my right hand.

With much difficulty, I lifted my head. The only thing I saw was Flora's indifferent gaze. She watched my struggle with a detached look as if she were watching a play.

"Flora, help me," I pleaded through the pain, looking to her for assistance.

Flora shook her head with a mocking smile. "Nancy, this cupboard is so darn heavy. How could I possibly lift it?"

Her usual demure and delicate demeanor was gone. In its place was a gaze filled with jealousy and malice. "Besides, I wish you'd just die already. Why would I ever help you?"

My eyes widened in disbelief.

Flora's lips curled into a mocking smile as she seemed about to say more when Shaun Gabler hurried in from outside.

Her expression changed instantly, and she reverted to her innocent and delicate persona while calling out helplessly, "Shaun…"

By then, the first wave of the earthquake had ended. What was once a clean and orderly office was now a chaotic mess.

Debris was scattered everywhere on the floor, and the hanging lights on the ceiling swayed precariously, mirroring the unease in everyone's hearts during the quake.

Shaun scanned the room and saw me trapped under the heavy cupboard.

"Nancy, are you okay?" His gaze flickered, but he didn't step forward to help.

The metallic taste of blood filled my mouth, and my face grew paler. My right hand was pinned under the solid wooded cupboard. If I didn't get help soon, I might never be able to hold a scalpel again.

"Shaun, save me…" I mustered my remaining strength and looked at Shaun—my boyfriend of three years. "My hand is trapped. Help me out…"

He was a doctor like me. So, he was fully aware of how crucial a hand was for a surgeon.

Shaun was about to step forward when Flora suddenly clung to his arm. "Shaun! The aftershocks are coming soon. It's too dangerous here. Let's leave first and get professional rescuers to help Nancy later!"

Earthquakes weren't one-off. Aftershocks could happen at any moment. No one knew when danger might strike again.

Flora spoke with apparent sincerity, so Shaun listened to her. He stood at the doorway, looking at my despair-filled eyes from afar.

"I-I'll take Flora out first. Don't worry, Nancy. Once I'm out, I'll find someone to come and save you."

I watched helplessly as their figures disappeared from my view. In the next second, I couldn't hold on any longer and passed out from the pain.