Raelyn's POV The doctor was stunned. "You? Perform the surgery?" "Yes," I nodded. Even Aiden looked surprised this time. I glanced at him, then turned to the doctor. "Is that okay?" The doctor tugged at the corner of his mouth, clearly doubtful. "Come on, young lady, you’re still injured yourself. Besides, this is a surgical room, not somewhere just anyone can walk into. We’re doing everything we can to save the patient, so stop interfering." Seeing how little faith he had in me, I thought for a moment and said, "Have you heard of someone named Tempest?" "Tempest? Who hasn’t heard of that legendary healer?" At the mention of Tempest, the doctor’s eyes lit up with admiration. "I’m Tempest’s apprentice. His only apprentice." "What?" The doctor’s eyes widened in disbelief. "You’re Tempest’s personal disciple? That’s impossible. Tempest went into seclusion ten years ago. I heard he moved abroad and took up a professor position at some medical university. How did you even meet him?" "I studied overseas. It’s not that unusual that I got to know someone like him." Professor, huh... He was just lazy and chose to hide out in some small foreign town and enjoy retirement. "Here’s the deal. If you let me inside to treat Adam, I’ll have Tempest share his latest research on werewolf cancer with your team." It was an enticing offer, meant to buy me the chance to help Adam myself. "Werewolf cancer? That disease is incurable. Young lady, you’re far too naive. Let’s not even talk about whether you’re really Tempest’s disciple. This disease has plagued us for over a century, and not a single werewolf doctor has been able to cure it. You really expect me to believe you’re offering this info just to get into the OR?" I said firmly, "Doctor, I’m not lying. There’s already been progress abroad—some patients have fully recovered. Whether it’s true or not, you can figure it out for yourself. If you let me in now, not only might you save a life, but your hospital gets a huge boost. It could even earn you a promotion, right? And even if I fail to save Adam, Aiden’s standing right here. He’ll hold me responsible, not you. What are you afraid of?" I’d already done the math for him. When faced with that kind of gain, no doctor would remain unmoved. Sure enough, he glanced at Aiden beside him and said, "I can agree to it, but I don’t know if Mr. Aiden will." "I agree. Let her go in," Aiden nodded. Aiden's POV The doctor immediately brought Raelyn a sterile gown and mask and took her into the operating room. I didn’t know how long had passed. The light above the operating room still read "In Surgery." I let her go in because I knew that in all of Varken Prison, other than her—Tempest’s disciple—no one else could save Adam. I didn’t know what she would do, but I believed in her. After about two hours, the surgical light finally went off. My foggy mind snapped clear as I stared at the tightly shut doors, waiting for Raelyn and the others to come out. The door opened. Raelyn came out first, looking pale and unsteady on her feet. It was obvious she had used a lot of energy. "Raelyn, how did it go?" I stepped forward to ask. She looked me in the eye and smiled. "He’s fine now." All the tension in my chest suddenly relaxed. "Good. I’ll take you back to your room so you can rest. We’ll talk about everything else once you’ve gotten some sleep." She looked so exhausted, I honestly felt heartache just seeing her like this. "No need. I’m going to Adam’s room to watch over him. He could start bleeding again at any moment." I frowned deeply. "That’s something any nurse can do. If not, I’ll have someone from Midnight Pack take over. You’re in no shape to be doing this. Can’t you just rest?" Raelyn rolled her eyes at me. "Right now, I’m the only one who understands Adam’s condition best. I personally used a witch’s spirit stone to treat him. If he has a bad reaction, your average nurse won’t even recognize it, and we could miss the critical window. That could cost him his life." She spoke with such clarity and purpose, but her level of concern made me extremely uncomfortable. "Why do you care about him so much?" I couldn’t help asking. Raelyn stared at me and sneered. "He got stabbed by Taylor to save me. Even if I have to risk my life, I’ll make sure he lives." "You said you saw me hugging Yvonne. Then tell me this—who were you out with that day?" Raelyn fell silent. And I instantly understood. "It was Adam, wasn’t it?" She didn’t say a word, but her silence said it all. The anger in my chest surged. Perfect. She’s been accusing me of being too close to Yvonne this whole time. But her and Adam? Isn’t that the same thing? No wonder she cares so much. I glared at her in frustration. She furrowed her brows, about to say something, when the doors to the operating room swung open and Adam was wheeled out. Without even sparing me a glance, Raelyn followed the stretcher straight to Adam’s room. I stood frozen in place, the jealousy in my chest burning hotter and hotter.