Chapter 1 The Darkest Day of My Life

Sarah Davis POV

Today was like the Black Friday of my life, but worse. The blackest of the black!

So, I'm Sarah Davis, and not only did my foster mother kick me out, but I also lost my shot at staying at the New York City Heart Health Center. Ever since I started med school, being a cardiac surgeon there was my dream.

But now? Everything's gone to hell.

I had just gotten to the hospital and changed into my scrubs when my foster mother, Julia Davis, called.

Her voice was flat and cold, reminiscent of hospital announcements. "Your sister Emily and I will fly to LA tomorrow."

Before my brain could process the meaning of it, I blurted out, "Then how about that apartment on Washington Street?"

Yes, I cared far more about that apartment than I did about my foster mother and sister.

"I ended the lease." Her sneer was unmistakable. "As for your garbage, go find the apartment manager yourself. Maybe there's still something left."

I was taken aback, unable to respond.

In order to stay in that apartment—which Julia had rented to make it easier to visit Emily—I had to put in extra effort with the housework, even making breakfasts for them, all on top of my own exhausting job. And all I got in return was a windowless room, less than 120 square feet, that was basically converted from a storage closet.

Despite all my attempts to please her, Julia never treated me to anything special. In her eyes, I was nothing more than a "strange thing" who only brought her misfortune.

"I'm getting married!" she suddenly said, her voice carrying a hint of joy.

My brain short-circuited for a sec. Ever since my foster father, Martin Davis, died from a stroke five years ago, Julia's been dating every rich guy she could find, young or old.

For Julia, losing a husband wasn't a tragedy; it was like God opened a new door for her.

But marriage? That's a first.

"Congrats, mom." I carefully chose my words. "That guy must be, um, unique."

Hoping she could keep that apartment, I brought up Emily, her biological daughter, "What about Emily? She still needs to return to NY after attending your wedding, right? She has a decent job here, after all."

Emily went to college in New York too, which is why Julia moved there. I earned my master's degree in medicine, while Emily majored in finance and supposedly worked in investment banking.

Julia's voice dripped with mockery, "That's none of your concern. Emily's new father has everything prepared for her. You can just rot in NY—I won't let you get close to him."

My other hand clenched into a fist. Julia knew perfectly well what awful things that dead foster father had done to me, but she never once protected the child I was. Instead, she saw me as the one ruining her marriage.

And now, it seemed she'd found herself an even more powerful and wealthy husband—one who could even make Emily give up her job in New York!

"Congratulations," I said, gritting my teeth tightly.

Click. Call ended. Powerlessness enveloped me.

I'd been an intern at the New York City Heart Health Center for almost a year, just a month away from becoming a full-time doctor.

I couldn't possibly spend the whole month living in the hospital's on-call room.

After the morning surgery, I took a break and grabbed Lily, my fellow surgical assistant, in the changing room.

"Hey, can I crash at your place tonight?" I asked.

"What happened?" Lily smiled, knowing my family drama. "Did your hot mom get a new boyfriend again?"

Every time Julia brought a new boyfriend home, I would stay at Lily's place, or the on-call room.

Lily rented a tiny apartment near the hospital. Poor as me, after paying off my student loans, I only had money left for food, which is why I had to put up with Julia and Emily's orders, serving them like a house maid.

I sighed, "She canceled the lease! She called today and said she's getting married."

Lily was clearly surprised, then she look troubled. "But, dear, my new boyfriend's coming over tonight for a sleepover, you know, a passionate night. If you don't mind, you can crash on the couch."

I recalled the last time I stayed over. That night was indeed "passionate", almost like a parade; I couldn't get any sleep at all.

So I awkwardly smiled. "It's okay. I'll take the night shift."

We chatted as we walked out of the changing room, noticing the department head, David Miller, passing by behind us.

Finally off work, I dragged myself into the on-call room, ready to crash there for the night.

But what about tomorrow? And the future?

I touched my purse, feeling my empty bank card inside, and let out a deep sigh.

Then I gritted my teeth, trying to think the bright way. With Julia and Emily gone, I no longer had to endure their insults and would have time for a part-time job. Whatever it took, I had to stay here and become a formal resident physician.

I took off my lab coat and was about to throw on a T-shirt when the door swung open.

"Hey, hold up!" I instinctively covered my chest with the shirt and turned around.

David Miller?!

As the department head, he didn't need to be on call. What the hell was he doing here?

"Dr. Miller, I'm changing. Can you please step out?"

I was pissed, but what he did next floored me.

He tossed my T-shirt aside, grabbed my wrist, and shoved me against the wall. The pen in his lab coat jabbed into my chest, making me wince.

Jesus! Was he out of his mind?

"Dr. Miller, calm down." I tried to keep my voice steady, nodding towards his wedding ring. "Dr. Lee is still in the office outside and could walk in any second. You don't want everyone knowing you're harassing an intern, do you?"

David Miller just laughed, like he was mocking my pathetic attempt to reason with him.

"Dr. Lee's gone. I sent him to watch surgery videos."

His eyes were glued to my cleavage. "But you're right, this place isn't ideal. Sarah, I know you've got nowhere to stay tonight. So why don't we get a room?"

So he'd eavesdropped on my convo with Lily and knew I'd be here!

"Dr. Miller, this is sexual harassment! I'll report you to the ethics committee!"

David Miller laughed like I was a joke.

"Report me? Really? I'm the department head. Who do you think they'll believe, you or me? Sarah, don't you want to become a full-time doctor?"

He leaned in, biting my earlobe and rubbing it with his hot, wet lips. His voice low and threatening. "It's simple. Just make my cock happy for one night!"

With that, he pressed his lips hard against mine, trying to kiss me. I was so disgusted I almost puked and turned my head away, but the bastard lowered his head to kiss my chest!

Shit!

"Stop! David! Help."

I couldn't help but shout, raising my knee to kick his junk, but his massive body pinned me down.

His hands gripped my wrists tighter, his body pressing closer. I could even feel his cock under his lab coat pressing against me.

"I love your struggle. You're so hot, Sarah. You absolutely fascinate me," he whispered, his tone unsettlingly intimate.

Because of the pressure, my breasts were almost spilling out of my bra. He lowered his head and started licking my cleavage.

I stared at the ceiling, my eyes red, my teeth almost biting through my lips.

I'd rather die than sleep with this creep, but if I pissed him off, how could I stay at HHC? Even if I escaped today, what about tomorrow?

As long as I refused him, he'd keep harassing me. Maybe from tomorrow, I'd be off the operating table for good!

I tried harder to push his head away, trying to get his disgusting tongue off my chest, but he didn't budge.

I had to take a deep breath and say, "Dr. Miller, please listen to me."

David finally stopped and looked at me.

I put on a pitiful expression, squeezing out tears. "Dr. Miller, I... I... agree. Can you really help me stay at the hospital? I really have nowhere else to go."

David indeed loosened his grip. "Sarah, I knew you'd make the right choice. That's my good girl. Don't worry, I'll help you."

Now!

Taking advantage of his momentary relaxation, I pulled out one hand, grabbed a pair of scissors from the nearby table, and stabbed his arm hard. David screamed, clutching his bleeding arm.

"You, Sarah, are you crazy?"

I kicked him away.

"Rapist! If you try this again, I'll cripple your hand next time!" I grabbed my T-shirt and stormed out, hearing David's angry roar behind me.

"Sarah Davis, don't let me see you again! Ever!" His rage was palpable.

I put on my clothes and wandered numbly down the street, hugging myself tightly in hopes of staying warm in the chilling breeze.

Thinking about what happened just now, tears welled up in my eyes. Only God knows how hard I had worked to become an intern at NYHHC, and how desperately I longed to become a doctor there. This job meant the world to me. But now, I could never go back.

Even worse, David Miller seemed to have strong connections in NY's medical community—he could probably get me blacklisted from almost every hospital and clinic in the city. How was I supposed to find a job now, or pay off my student loans? Did I really have to leave NY?

Various thoughts surging in my mind, and I felt like my head would explode.

Suddenly, the neon lights across the street lit up, illuminating a name.

Pirates Bar.

Yes, alcohol! Just what I needed to forget my pain tonight!

Maybe tomorrow when I woke up, things would be different.

And indeed, my life changed completely after this unforgettable night.