Chapter 1861

Professor Cruz assured Karina that he would do his best to convince Professor Zeller to reconsider. Even if that didn’t work, he promised to personally approve her paper for publication. Karina was deeply grateful, but her gratitude extended even more to Wilfred, who had made this meeting with the professor possible.
On the way back, she pondered how she could thank him. Wilfred didn’t seem to lack anything, and no matter how much she thought about it, she couldn’t decide what to get him. Her musings were interrupted by an urgent phone call from Wilfred.
“Have you left Professor Cruz’s office yet?” he asked, his voice tinged with urgency.
“I have. What’s wrong?” she replied, sensing something was wrong.
“I’ve been called out for an emergency consultation, but I just got a call from the rehab center. Wendy attempted to hang herself. She’s likely in the ER by now.”
“What?” Karina’s grip on her phone tightened. Without hesitation, she said, “I’ll head there right away.”
When she arrived at the hospital, Wendy had just been brought in. The lack of oxygen had caused severe internal bleeding, and her condition was critical.
Karina quickly sprang into action, performing emergency procedures that lasted an exhausting hour and a half. It was touch-and-go, but Wendy’s life was ultimately saved.
Afterward, Karina stayed by Wendy’s bedside for another two hours. It wasn’t until 7 PM that Wendy began to stir.
Hearing the faint sounds of movement, Karina sat up abruptly. Her voice, hoarse from exhaustion, came out in a soft rush. “How are you feeling? Does it still hurt?”
The effects of oxygen deprivation could be devastating. Within just 30 minutes, a person could suffer respiratory failure, organ damage, or even brain death. Fortunately, Wendy had been found in time. Had it been any later, even the most skilled doctors couldn’t have saved her.
Wendy shook her head weakly.
Karina’s gaze landed on the bruising around Wendy’s neck-a vivid reminder of how deeply the rope had cut into her skin. Seeing the marks, any frustration or anger Karina might have felt was replaced by an overwhelming ache of sympathy.
Over the past week, their interactions hadn’t been for nothing.
“What happened?” Karina asked gently. “You seemed to be doing so much better.”
Wendy remained silent, avoiding eye contact.
Karina didn’t press her, sighing softly. “Alright, I won’t ask. Let’s talk about it when you feel ready. For now, just focus on resting.”
Before Karina could say more,
Wendy spoke up, her voice faint. My mom said my brother is sick and needs a bone marrow transplant. She wants me to donate. I refused. Was I wrong, Karina?”
Karina froze, caught off guard. “No, you weren’t wrong,” she said firmly.
Wendy’s hollow gaze stayed fixed on the ceiling. “Really? Because when I told my mom, she called me an ungrateful wretch and said she regretted ever giving birth to me.”
Her voice faltered, and she turned
her head toward Karina, her expression lifeless. “I didn’t know how to face her, so I decided to hang myself. I thought… I’d just give her back this life.” en FindNovel
*
Karina felt her heart constrict painfully.
As Wendy’s empty eyes met hers, Wendy added in a broken whisper, “You shouldn’t have saved me, Karina.”
Wilfred arrived at the hospital half an hour later. Exhaustion was evident on his face, but he didn’t pause as he made his way toward the patient rooms.
Before he reached Wendy’s room, he stopped.
In the softly lit corridor, a single
figure sat quietly on a bench.
Karina’s hands were tucked into her
coat pockets, her gaze fixed on a
flickering overhead light. The
rhythmic blinking cast fleeting shadows across her face, making her expression unreadable.
“Why are you sitting here alone?” Wilfred’s voice broke the silence as he draped his jacket over her shoulders.
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