He couldn''t just kill Sellers-not yet. Sellers had to stay alive, so he could suffer, slowly and thoroughly.


    ...


    The next day, Ste''s surgery was scheduled without dy.


    Right before being wheeled into the operating room, something urred to her.


    "By the way, who brought me to the hospital?"


    Abby replied, "It was a passerby who happened to be nearby. Luckily, they got you here in time. If you''d lost any more blood, things could''ve turned out much worse."


    Ste nodded. "Did we thank them?"


    Abby smiled. "We did. Neville gave them a generous reward to show our gratitude."


    "Please thank Neville for me."


    "I will."


    Just then, someone knocked at the door; Mr. Burton stepped in.


    "Ste, there''s no need to worry," he said reassuringly. "This procedure is low-risk. I''ll do everything I can to heal your hand."


    Ste nodded again. "Thank you, Mr. Burton. It means a lot that you came all this way for me."


    He shook his head. "Even if you were any other patient, I''d do my utmost. That''s my duty."


    After a few more words offort, the nurses wheeled Ste away to surgery. Haynes, Neville, Foreman, and Abby waited anxiously outside.


    The operation dragged on for hours, stretching from morning into the evening as dusk settled in.


    Atst, the operating room lights flicked off, and they all hurried to meet the surgeon.


    Mr. Burton emerged, looking exhausted. He hadn''t performed such a long surgery in years; if it hadn''t been for Ste, he wouldn''t havee in person at all.


    "The surgery went well," he announced, pulling off his mask. The deep fatigue on his face was unmistakable. "But as I said before, Ste ying the violin again will be... very difficult."


    Abby''s eyes dimmed, and the others-Haynes, Neville, Foreman-couldn''t hide their disappointment.


    They''d known this was the likely oue, but still, a small part of them had clung to hope for a miracle.


    Still, saving Ste''s hand at all was already nothing short of a blessing.


    Soon


    were was wheeled out,


    lying


    on her bed. Her eyes


    were closed, lips pale, cheeks swollen from the trauma.


    Foreman''s heart twisted painfully. For a brief moment, a murderous urge red in his chest.


    This was all Sellers and Leonard''s fault.


    In a hoarse voice, Foreman muttered, "I have some work I need to take care of. I''ll be backter."


    No one really noticed him leave; their attention was fixed on Ste.


    He took onest look at her before turning and walking out.


    Ste woke briefly in the middle of the night, then drifted back to sleep.


    When she finally stirred again, daylight was streaming in through the window.


    Abby was seated by the bed, engrossed in her phone. She


    absorbed she didn''t even now was


    Ste waking up.


    Ste called out softly, "Abby."


    Startled, Abby snapped out of it and turned to her. "Star, you''re awaket She quickly put her phone aside, concern etched on her face. "How are you feeling? Any pain? Anything ufortable?"


    "My throat''s a bit dry," Ste replied, her voice raspy. "Could you get me some water?"


    Abby hurried to pour a ss and gently helped Ste drink.


    Once she''d finished, Ste felt much better, her throat no longer so raw.


    "What had you so captivated just now?" Ste asked.


    For days, Abby had been wracked with guilt and tears, but now, atst, a smile broke through.


    "Star, I have good news! Karma really doese around-Leonard finally got what he deserved!"