CH.6

The strong glare of the antiseptic hospital lights assailed Serena's senses as her eyelids fluttered open. She was forced to squint in order to combat the uncompromising brightness of the fixtures.

She attempted to shift her position, only for a searing pain to lance through her lower body and rendering her immobile.

She let out a groan of agony.

A glance downward revealed a sea of white linen draped over her form and bandages nestled between her legs.

There was a creaking sound as the door opened, and someone entered.

“You are awake.” The person spoke with a manly voice.

She raised her head to look directly into the eyes of the hospital attendant. "Wh-what happened?" Her voice emerged as a parched croak, the words scraping past her dry throat.

The doctor - a man whose age had etched soft lines around his kindly eyes - regarded her with an expression that was equal parts concern and professional detachment. "You were admitted earlier today," he began gently, "You've sustained significant trauma due to... rough intercourse." He cleared his throat.

“Rough intercourse…?” Confusion swirled within Serena's mind like a tempestuous storm as she grappled with this revelation.

The last slivers of recollection she was able to clutch at were fragments of drinking extensively at the bar of the Royal hotel in response to the discovery Alex, her husband for two years, was involved in a betrayal with Diana, whom she had once considered to be a confidante.

Had she lost herself in the haze of alcohol and ended up in some stranger's bed? But why did it feel like anything more than just a decision made on the spur of the moment brought on by heartbreak?

Her gaze locked onto the doctor's face as she forced out a whisper so faint it was almost lost amidst the ambient hum of medical machinery. "Has my family been informed?"

She was familiar with the fact that it would not take anyone more than a single glance to recognize her.

The man’s head shook gently from side to side. “No, Miss Bolting.”

A sigh of relief slipped past Serena’s lips before she could stop it. “Good! Please let this stay between us…" She hesitated for a moment before adding in hushed tones, "I'm not just any patient here... I'm renowned... and also the president’s first daughter in Star City..."

Acknowledging the weighty implications of her revelation, the doctor nodded solemnly. "Of course, we'll maintain confidentiality. That is, even if we were not given the instruction to conceal this information from the general public or anybody else for that matter. However, you must focus on recuperation now. You've been through a significant ordeal."

Serena nodded before recalling something from the doctor's words. Her eyes shot up to hold the man’s gaze once more. “You were given the directive to prevent this matter from becoming public knowledge? Exactly who issued that command???” She questioned incredulously.

The doctor averted his gaze. “As you are undoubtedly aware, Miss Bolting. Our medical facility places a great value on maintaining patient confidentiality. As a result, I am sorry to say that I am unable to share that information with you.” The doctor promptly turned on his heels and left the room.

Serena allowed her eyelids to drop close once more as she struggled to cope with the whirlwind of events that had shaken up her life in a span of less than a day.

The room was bathed in an eerie silence, punctuated only by the rhythmic beeping of her heart monitor.

As she lay there with her eyes closed, trying to make sense of the chaos that had become her life, fragments of memories from the previous night began to trickle back into her consciousness.

She could almost feel his touch - a stranger's hands exploring her body, his lips claiming hers in a dance as old as time itself.

He'd ignited something within her she hadn't known existed - but then reality crashed down around her like a house of cards.

Tears welled up behind closed lids at the thought of Alex's betrayal once more.

How could he have done this? With Diana no less!

The raw physical pain was now accompanied by an emotional agony that threatened to consume her whole.

Shame and guilt washed over Serena like waves relentlessly battering against a rocky shore.

"Why Alex?" she murmured into the sterile hospital air, voice barely audible over the steady beep of the monitor. "Why did you do this to me?”

Were all of those pledges that they would spend the rest of their lives together also a lie??

She felt broken and betrayed but knew she had to draw on reserves of strength she didn't know she possessed.

Vengeance would be hers; those who'd made a fool out of Serena Bolting would pay dearly for their actions.

Bitter tears streamed down Serena's face until there were none left to shed - each sob wracking her body with its intensity. And then, as if some unseen force had flipped a switch, sleep claimed her in its comforting embrace - offering temporary respite from both physical pain and emotional torment.

~Meanwhile~

The doctor couldn’t believe he narrowly evaded Serena's relentless questioning as he slipped away to the sanctuary of his office.

His heart pounded in his chest like a drum echoing through a quiet night, threatening to expose confidential information that was not meant for her ears.

He exhaled deeply, attempting to regain composure.

His gaze fell on his phone resting on the polished mahogany desk and he picked it up with a sense of dread. It was time to contact the master who had placed him in this precarious position - the one who wanted assurance that Serena has a quick recovery.

He dialed the familiar number, each beep resonating with an undercurrent of tension.

The call connected and as expected, the mystery boss's trusted confidant answered. A man whose voice was as cold as winter frost and just as unforgiving.

"Doctor," came the curt greeting from the other end of the line.

"Good evening," replied the doctor, trying to keep his tone steady. "I have news regarding Serena."

There was a pause on the other end before an icy voice responded, "Go ahead."

"I performed all necessary tests," said the doctor cautiously, assessing each word before releasing them into existence. "And I can confirm that she is in good health."

"And...?" The confidant's voice held an edge of impatience.

The doctor swallowed hard before continuing, "The secret test you requested...to rule out any possible STDs...it came back negative." He paused for a moment before adding hastily, "Serena is clean."

A sigh of relief echoed from across the line followed by silence; it felt like an eternity before another word was spoken.

"So there's no risk...after their encounter?" The question hung heavy in air.

"That would be correct," confirmed the doctor. "No risk of contracting any viruses or diseases from Serena."

The conversation ended abruptly after that revelation with only a curt 'good' from the confidant.

The doctor hung up, his heart still pounding as he let out a sigh of relief.

He was just a pawn in this game, but for now, he had delivered his message and kept his promise.