Chapter 1893

Karina anxiously watched the stairwell, her heart pounding. Finally, she saw the firefighters carrying people down on their backs.
But the situation looked grim.
“Get them to emergency care immediately!” one firefighter shouted. “The two middle-aged adults are unconscious from severe smoke inhalation and are in critical condition! The son appears to be relatively unharmed.”
Thankfully, an ambulance was already on standby. Hearing the firefighter’s report, the nurses rushed out with stretchers, loading the family into the vehicle.
When the ambulance was about to depart, Karina and Wilfred identified themselves as doctors and climbed aboard to assist.
*
Once they arrived at the hospital, Karina’s hands trembled as she changed into her white coat. She had performed countless surgeries before, but this was the first time she would face operating on someone she had a personal connection with. The thought sent a chill through her body.
A colleague passing by noticed her and asked, “Dr. Norman, are you scrubbing in? I heard Dr. Wilfred has already taken over the surgery.”
*
Karina paused for a moment before responding, “I still need to be there.”
By the time Karina reached the operating room, Wilfred glanced at her, a faint frown on his face. He clearly wasn’t thrilled with her decision but said nothing when he saw the determination in her eyes. “You’ll assist,” he said simply.
*
Karina nodded, putting on sterilized gloves and joining the team.
Kieran had been lucky. It seemed his parents had tried to shield him, leaving him with only minor smoke inhalation. He was out of danger shortly after arriving at the hospital.
However, Mr. and Mrs. Stone were not as fortunate. Their age and the prolonged exposure to smoke and flames left them with severe injuries. Both had significant burns, and Mrs. Stone’s face was badly disfigured her right cheek and neck were almost completely scarred.
*
Despite the overwhelming pressure, Karina remained calm. Her hands were steady throughout the procedure, and the surgery was a success.
When she emerged from the operating room, the fire at the apartment had already been extinguished. Police had started their investigation, and the findings were shocking.
“It was arson,” an officer informed her. “And not accidental-it looks like a deliberate act of self-harm.” Karina froze. “What?”
The officer sighed. “It seems the fire was intentionally set by someone inside the home.”
Her mind reeled. Deliberate? That
couldn’t be right. Knowing the Stones who were clinging to life despite everything, the idea of them willingly starting the fire felt absurd.
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But the evidence didn’t lie.
The suspicion fell heavily on Kieran.
The police speculated that he might have been the one to set the fire. After all, his parents
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injured while he had escaped relatively unharmed. It didn’t add up
otherwise.
Karina couldn’t wrap her mind around it. Why would Kieran do such a thing?
Seeing her frustration, Wilfred placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “Don’t overthink it. Only Kieran knows the truth. Let’s wait until he wakes up to ask him
*
The next day, Kieran regained consciousness. Karina visited his room, determined to get answers. When she walked in, he showed no sign of surprise. “I heard you saved me. Why?” he asked, his tone flat.
Karina, caught off guard, hesitated for a moment before replying, “Why wouldn’t I?”
Kieran fell silent, his gaze turning away from her. After a long pause, he let out a dry laugh. “You really are naive to a fault.”
There was something bitter yet oddly freeing in his words.
Finally, Kieran turned to her, his voice calm as he began to explain everything.