<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">I lowered my head, nervously picking at my nails.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Upon seeing my defeated expression, Teri panicked. “Don’t be like this! You didn’t see how your brother went crazy when he found out Elijah had taken you.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">“If someone had handed him a knife, he wouldn’t have hesitated to turn that scumbag into minced meat.”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Her words gave me a bit of strength.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Teri asked, “So, what are you nning to do next?”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">I lifted my head and, with determination, said, “Recover, hire awyer, and file for divorce!”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Healing wasn’t hard since I only had surface wounds. But because I had hit the back of my head when I fell from the second floor, Frank wasn’t willing to discharge me so easily.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">I had to undergo monitoring and a full–body checkup, along with observation. When Frank saw me with my head wrapped in bandages like a mummy, he let out a deep sigh</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">I forced a smile. “Dr. Drake, sorry to trouble you again.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Frank adjusted his medical gloves, his expression calm. “It’s no trouble.”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Seeing his indifferent demeanor made me feel uneasy. I had caused Frank a lot of trouble recently, with him tending to my endless injuries every time.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">I cautiously exined, “Dr. Drake, I didn’t do this on purpose.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Frank nodded. “I know. You were just unlucky to run into a scumbag. If you end up hurt because of him again, I won’t mind giving him a ‘humanitarian surgery</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">I blinked, surprised. Frank usually stayed out of people’s personal matters. He was the type to finish his work without asking questions or offering opinions. But this time….</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">I asked, “What did you mean by “humanitarian surgery?</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">While organizing medication and needles, Frank responded in a t tone, “In my understanding, a humanitarian surgery is for those whose bodies are overloaded with scumbag genes, causing their behavior to go beyond that of normal humans.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">“For people like that, the only cure is surgery–topletely sever any organs or functions that could lead</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">to criminal behavior.”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">I was speechless. Wow. That was harsh!</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">After preparing the medication, Frank gave me a faint smile. “So, next time that scumbag tries to hurt you, make sure you tell me first.”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Warmth bloomed in my chest. Frank, who was usually so distant, ruffled my hair like I was his little sister.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">“I know everything you’ve been through. Don’t worry. I’ll protect you, just like Mr. Wood does. Of course, only because we’re friends.”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">I couldn’t help but give him a light hug. “Thank you.”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Frank pushed me away, looking disgusted. “I’m wearing sterile clothing, and now you’ve gotten it dirty.”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">After that, he inserted the IV needle and, unable to resist, added, “Stay strong. Everything will get better”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Tears welled up in my eyes. Frank was the first true friend I’d made outside of Teri. This feeling was wonderful.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">While recovering at the hospital, I contacted the Wood Group’s legal team through Logan. ording to Teri, Elijah had been released after five days in custody.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Outraged, Teri fumed, “He’s guilty of kidnapping and attempted assault! How could they let him go?”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">One of thewyers, a refined middle–aged man, adjusted his sses and exined gently, “It’s because they’re married.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">“Mr. Linden’s legal team argued that it was merely a marital dispute. He only admitted to acting impulsively and denies the charges of kidnapping and attempted assault.”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Teri mmed her fist on the table, furious. “He denies it, so it didn’t happen? He literally dragged Ari away! And he… he…”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Thewyer shook his head. “Unfortunately, given that they’re married and Mr. Linden took Ms. Yo property they both own, the police have ssified it as a domestic dispute.”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Teri pounded the table again, seething with anger.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Suddenly, a sharp–dressed femalewyer, who had been silent,</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Poke up. “Ms. Stuart, marriage</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">certificates often shield men whomit violence or crimes within the marriage.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">*They receive reduced punishment–or sometimes, no punishment at all. It’s amon issue.</font></font>Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Teri stared at her, realizing the woman was struggling to keep her emotions in check.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">I quietly asked the middle–agedwyer, “Mr. Webb, are you suggesting that I shouldn’t pursue charges</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">against Elijah for kidnapping me and… and for attempting to assault me?”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Mr. Webb nodded. “I would advise Ms. York to focus all her energy on filing for divorce. Concentrate on determining what you can recover from Mr. Linden in the settlement.”</font></font>