When They Beg, I Rise!

The room was a haven of silence.

Lemira opened her mouth as if to speak, but then, words failed her. At times like these, language seemed utterly inadequate.

After all, she had tried to explain herself countless times before, only to be met with disbelief from her brothers.

Lucian's Adam's apple bobbed slightly before he finally let go of her hand. His eyes filled with disappointment as he looked at Lemira, "If you keep going down this path, I can't protect you when Asher gets back. Think about what you're doing." With those words, Lucian left the room.

Lemira let out a sigh of relief, leaning back against her pillow.

What was there to think about? Bent over backward trying to please them, only to be kicked out and end up dying miserably in a mental institution like in her previous life?

Not a chance.

"Here, catch!"

Suddenly, there was a cold pack wrapped in a bandage before her.

Lemira took it, pressing the cold pack against her bruised cheek, stealing a glance at the man beside her. In a low voice, she said, "Thanks for earlier."

distant, "Why didn't you

if I told you I've tried explaining so many times before, even showed them

further; most people didn't believe her anyway,

not to believe

caught off guard. Did he

stepped closer, placing his hand on her forehead, "Your fever's

glanced at the scar on his wrist, "Is that from an

for a moment before he quickly withdrew it. He began to remove the empty IV bag,

the table, his back to Lemira. His profile was shadowed, making it hard to read

have one too, on my

show him, "Right

her thigh stood out against her fair skin, which made even more conspicuous by how high she'd lifted her

it, and then quickly looked away, "Kid, don't just lift your skirt in

"But you're a doctor."

throat, reminding himself he was also a man. Hadn't anyone taught her

be treated. Why

Rowan had said that scar was a reminder

their parents' death. That scar was her stigma for causing their deaths, he said, and she should remember that for life. At the time, she was devastated, even believing she was responsible, which made her even more