Theodore had just rushed Vanessa to the hospital''s surgical unit, her hand wrapped in a white handkerchief now crimson with blood, it was definitely a disturbing sight. Ruby stood by Vanessa'', her face was pale, and she was in pain, a mix of anxiety and sympathy etched on her face.


    "Vanessa, just hold on, the doctor will be here any second." Ruby reassured her.


    As if on cue, the surgeon strode in. Ruby quickly called out, "Doctor, please, Vanessa''s hand looks really bad."


    The doctor nced at Ruby but moved straight to Vanessa''s side, carefully unwrapping the handkerchief. The blood had clotted, sticking the fabric to the wound. "This might hurt a bit, just try to hang in there." he warned.


    Vanessa''s face turned ashen as she instinctively looked to Theodore. "Theodore, I''m scared..." The word ''hurt'' never made it out before a searing pain shot through her palm. She gasped sharply, looking down to see the doctor had removed


    the handkerchief, then showed her palm, raw and riddled with wounds. The force she had used on herself was evident now, as merciless as it had been deliberate. Only now, seeing the depth of the gashes, did the fear truly set in. What if her hand was ruined, unable to ever y the piano again?


    Theodore''s hand rested on her shoulder, his gaze lowered to her tear-streaked face, his brow furrowed deeply. "Don''t be afraid, it''s going to be okay."


    But Vanessa was already sweating from the pain, leaning into the solidity of the man beside her, her eyes brimming with tears. "Theodore, will I ever be able to y the piano again?"


    Before Theodore could answer, the doctor chimed in. "The wound''s on your palm. As long as the nerves aren''t damaged, this level of injury shouldn''t affect your piano ying."


    Vanessa clenched her teeth, her gaze flicking to Ruby, who immediately snapped, "What do you mean ''this level of injury''? Isn''t Vanessa hurt enough? Does it have to ruin her left hand to be serious?"


    The doctor''s dismissive nce at Ruby was almost as cutting as his words, "If your hand is so important, you should take better care of it."


    "Ruby." Vanessa interjected with a pointed look. "Don''t argue with the doctor. It''s my own carelessness, no one else''s fault."


    Ruby frowned, her voice was filled with righteous indignation. "Vanessa, you''re just too kind. It was Phoebe who stabbed your hand with a wine bottle, and you''re still making excuses for her." "That''s enough, Ruby." Vanessa managed a weak smile, looking up at Theodore. "Don''t mind Ruby''s nonsense, it''s all a misunderstanding."


    The more magnanimous Vanessa was, the angrier Theodore felt inside. "Let''s get this wound treated first. I''ll sort this matter out," he promised.


    Hearing his words, Vanessa felt a chill settle in her heart. She lowered her gaze, her facile expression was a mix of dejection and sorrow.


    The doctor brought hydrogen peroxide to disinfect the wound. As soon as it touched the wounded part, Vanessa felt an excruciating pain that nearly sent her soul flying. She gripped Theodore''s hand with her uninjured one and buried her head into his chest. "It hurts, Theodore, it hurts so much..."


    Theodore held her shoulders, frowned at the doctor. "Be gentle, can''t you hear her screaming?"


    The doctor nced at him and wiped off the remaining disinfectant with a cotton swab. Holding her hand up to the light, he observed. "There''s ss in the wound; we need to remove the shards."


    At that, Vanessa''s face turned an even paler shade of white.