He Chose Her Over Me, So I Let Him Die - Chapter 7: Chapter 7

"Scarlett, do you even hear yourself? You swore you could heal my leg!" Richard's voice was sharp with accusation.
"I followed your instructions exactly. So why are they suddenly saying my leg has to go?" His piercing gaze bore into her, but Scarlett couldn't bring herself to meet his eyes.
Her face went rigid, fingers digging into the edge of the bed.
The way she froze only fueled Richard's disbelief.
"Was Victoria right? Was it you who did this to me, Scarlett? Why?"
"It wasn't me!" Scarlett's cheeks flushed with panic. "I would never hurt you!"
Then, in a sudden burst of fury, she whirled on me, finger jabbing in my direction.
"You—you're the one who tampered with the medicine! You couldn't stand seeing Richard and me together, so you ruined everything!" Her voice trembled with venom. "How could you be so cruel, Victoria? Just because he didn't want to marry you, you'd rather see him die?"
I stared at her, stunned.
"Scarlett, you're delusional. I haven't set foot in the Thaddeus estate since the bet—when exactly would I have messed with your medicine?" My tone turned icy. "And for the record, I never wanted to marry Richard. That's all in your head."
But she wasn't backing down. Teeth clenched, she spat, "Then explain why you rushed here the second you heard about his paralysis instead of going home! Everyone knows you did!"
Because Richard had saved me once, years ago.
I'd only wanted to repay that debt.
But in this life, I'd refused to treat him.
I'd already paid that price—with my life—last time.
A bitter smirk tugged at my lips. "Do you even understand basic medical ethics? If someone comes to me for help, I'll do what I can. Don't blame me for your incompetence."
Scarlett's fists shook with rage. "Liar! You poisoned him! You're the reason he's losing his legs!"
"Enough!" Richard's roar cut through the room. "What's the point of this now?" He turned to his mother, jaw set. "Call the doctor. Let's get this over with."
Diana hurried off, and soon, the medical team arrived to wheel Richard away. But as they pushed him toward the operating room, Max stepped forward—and yanked the bracelet from Richard's wrist.
"Time to return what you stole."
Richard's glare was pure venom. "Don't get ahead of yourself, Max."
A cold shiver ran down my spine as I stared at the bracelet now in Max's grip.
No.
It couldn't be…
When I was six, I'd been kidnapped alongside a boy. He'd helped me escape—hid me in a crate while he led the kidnappers away.
I'd given him that bracelet as a promise.
We'll find each other again.
But right after my rescue, my family shipped me overseas. Fifteen years passed before I saw Richard's photo in the news—recognizing my bracelet on his wrist.
Except it wasn't his.
It was Max's.
Which meant… in my past life, I'd mistaken my savior.
And it cost me everything.
Max's voice was steel. "Did you think I didn't know the truth about the car accident? Once you survive this, we'll settle it." His smile was razor-thin. "Let's see how arrogant you are then."
As the operating doors swung shut, Max and I sat in the silent lobby—waiting.