Chapter 1

The air seemed to freeze, and the three stared at me in complete shock, their expressions transforming instantly.

They fixed their eyes on my right hand, watching that slight but deadly tremor that, for a top surgeon, was nothing short of a career death sentence.

Mom's lips quivered as she asked in disbelief, "H-How could this happen? You were fine just yesterday! Are you just too tired?"

"The cause is unknown. Maybe it's just fate," I replied, pulling my hand back and shoving it into my white coat pocket.

"Fate?" Dad frowned deeply, his voice carrying a tone of reproach. "Amelia Baxter, don't talk nonsense! Are you… Are you still holding a grudge against us?"

I didn't answer him and just turned back to the surgical simulator.

When I was 18, I was brought back from the countryside to rejoin the Baxter family. It turned out that the beloved daughter the Baxter family had raised for 18 years, Sonia Baxter, was never their real child.

I was the real heiress of the Baxter family.

My adoptive parents had passed away early, and life was filled with hardships. When I returned to the Baxter family, I was deeply sensitive and insecure.

It was Sonia who showed me the most warmth. She taught me etiquette, bought me beautiful clothes, and protected me everywhere, saying we were sisters and I shouldn't feel constrained. My parents also said that Sonia was their daughter too, that they loved us both equally.

Since Sonia's birth family was very poor, they couldn't bear to send her away. Thus, they kept her and raised both daughters together.

I was grateful to them and to Sonia. I studied hard, desperately trying to become their pride, and swore I would protect our family of four. However, I no longer felt that way.

Mom started crying the second she saw I was silent. She yelled at me, "Amelia! Are you still holding resentment? Just because we loved Sonia a little more, you're harboring grudges and now refusing to save her life?"

She hissed, "Did you forget how much Sonia cared about you? When you stayed up late studying, who made you soup every single night?"

My heart still stung for a moment at those words.

Oliver Lyons quickly stepped up to catch Mom, trying to calm her down. "Mrs. Baxter, please don't get upset. Amelia isn't that kind of person!"

Then, he turned to me, his eyes full of pain. "Amelia, I know you feel wronged, but Sonia is innocent! You can't forget your duty as a doctor because of personal emotions!"

Dad had always been a dignified college professor. Yet, his eyes had turned teary, and his voice hoarse. "Amelia, even if your hand is injured, you could at least go in and provide guidance! Sonia is your sister, and you can't just watch her die!"

But I remained unmoved, simply adjusting my equipment.

Mom finally broke down completely and fell to her knees, wailing. "How did I raise such a cold-hearted, ruthless daughter? Sonia is so kind and always gave in to you, and now… now you want to force her to death?"

She cried her heart out as she pounded the floor with both fists. Soon, the noise drew the attention of the other staff outside.

They looked at me with confusion and disgust, but I just smiled. I said, "Well, I guess that's just her fate. Nothing I can do."

I sat back in my chair and picked up the surgical simulator's control stick again. On the screen, the robotic arm began working once more, and I focused intently as if everything outside had nothing to do with me.

Upon seeing how ruthless I was, Dad swayed a little on his feet.

Oliver stared at me, completely crushed. He took a deep breath, like he was making some life-altering decision. Then, he said, "Mr. and Mrs. Baxter, don't beg her anymore."

He turned to my parents, his voice firm as he declared, "Let me do it!"