At the hospital…
The moment the man ended his phone call and turned to slip away unnoticed, a strong hand clamped over him from behind. A rag pressed tightly over his mouth and nose, cutting off his breath. He struggled for only a few seconds before the world went black and his body went limp.
A tall figure in a ward boy's uniform, his face partially hidden behind a surgical mask, hoisted the unconscious man into a wheelchair and pushed him toward the elevator, disappearing without drawing attention.
Completely unaware of what had just unfolded, Anne lay resting in her room. Fatigue had pulled her into a deep, dreamless sleep, and she didn't know how long she had been out until a soft, familiar voice broke through.
"Anne…"
She opened her eyes slowly, and she found her mother standing by her bed. "Mom," she murmured.
"My dear," Margaret whispered, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "I didn't want to wake you… But the surgery is over." Her voice faltered.
