Chapter 8: A Difficult Choice

Axel was still sitting in the corner of Orion Club, his fingers tapping the table anxiously. Marco was there, looking relaxed, as if he had no idea that death was looming over him.

But where was Alina? Axel exhaled sharply and dialed again. No answer. Something was wrong.

Meanwhile, at the hospital… Alina had just finished an exhausting four-hour surgery. As she removed her gloves, a nurse approached her.

"Dr. Aileen, your phone has been vibrating non-stop."

Frowning, Alina hurried to the break room and grabbed her phone. 12 missed calls—all from Axel.

"Damn," she muttered, quickly typing a message.b"I'm stuck at the hospital. Is Marco still there?"

The message failed to send. Alina stared at the screen, uneasy. If Axel acted alone, the risk was huge. Marco wasn't an idiot—he was always surrounded by bodyguards.

At Orion Club, Axel read the message, his expression unreadable. He glanced at Marco before replying.

"Yes. But I can't wait forever. If you're not here in 10 minutes, I'll act alone."

Alina cursed under her breath. Leaving the hospital now wasn't an option. If she did, Aileen's identity could be compromised. She had to choose—stay and protect her cover, or make sure Marco died tonight.

Axel slipped a knife under his jacket. Time was running out. If Alina didn't come… he'd act alone. But something felt off. It was too easy.

Why was Marco alone? Axel narrowed his eyes, scanning the room. A man at the next table sat too stiffly, his hand hovering near his waist—probably armed. Two others near the back door kept glancing at Marco.

A trap. Axel stood, pretending to leave. But as he walked past Marco's table, the man looked up and smirked.

"Where are you going, Axel?"

Axel stopped. "Fuck," he muttered under his breath.

Marco leaned back in his chair. "Did you really think I wouldn't notice? You've been watching me like a ghost."

Axel stayed silent, his hand slowly moving toward his jacket.

"If you're looking for Alina…" Marco continued, his voice calm. "You won't find her. I killed her months ago."

Axel froze. "What?"

Marco chuckled and waved a hand. One of his men handed him a phone. Marco placed it on the table, showing a photo that made Axel's blood run cold.

Alina's body—covered in blood, lying in an abandoned warehouse.

"Did you really think you were the only ones who could play from the inside?" Marco grinned. "I've been planning this for a long time. Now, I just need to know … will you join me, or will you die tonight?"

Axel clenched his fists. Marco didn't know Alina was still alive. This was his chance to protect her.

Marco sipped his drink. "So, why don't you sit down and talk like civilized people?"

Axel's mind raced. Fight now or play along Finally, he pulled out a chair and sat down.

"Fine," he said flatly. "I've been waiting to kill Alina, too."

Marco smirked. "Now that's more like it."

Outside the Club … A convoy of black cars left the club. Minutes later, Alina arrived, only to find the place empty.

"Where's Axel?" she murmured, staring at her phone. He was here just ten minutes ago.

She dialed his number. No answer. Again and again, she tried, but nothing.

Inside one of the cars … Axel stared at his vibrating phone. He couldn't pick up. Marco sat beside him, watching closely.

"You look nervous," Marco said, his tone sharp. "What are you hiding?"

Axel forced himself to stay calm. "I'm just not used to working with new people."

A weak excuse, but Marco didn't seem to care. "You'll get used to me soon enough."

Axel remained silent. Deep inside, he knew—if Alina saw this, she'd think he had betrayed her.

Back at the hospital… Alina returned, unable to plan her next move before another problem arose. That morning, she was summoned to Dr. Nathan Carter's office.

"I heard you've been sneaking out of the hospital," Nathan said, his voice sharp.

Alina froze. How does he know?

"Yes, Dr. Carter. That's true," she admitted calmly.

Nathan studied her closely, his suspicion clear.

"You can come and go as you please," he said. "As long as you don't forget—you have patients depending on you."

Alina frowned. Is that the real reason he called me?

"I see. But what exactly did I do wrong?" she asked carefully.

Nathan folded his arms. "Your patient in the ER. You haven't submitted his medical report."

Alina stiffened. She hadn't reported anything. Now, she had to deal with the hospital's chief surgeon—who also happened to be her mentor.

Damn, Aileen, you have way too much on your plate.

"When will I get that report?" Nathan pressed.

Alina took a deep breath, keeping her composure. "Soon, Doctor. I'll send it right away."

Nathan nodded. "Good. Oh, and one more thing—Nurse Lana is back from leave today."

Alina tensed. "Nurse Lana?"

Nathan raised an eyebrow. "Yes. Don't you remember her?"

Alina swallowed hard. Another problem. She didn't recognize this nurse at all. But if she admitted that, Nathan would only get more suspicious.

"Of course, I remember," she said quickly. "I was just surprised."

Nathan studied her for a moment, then nodded. "Good. If you're done here, go back to work."

Alina quickly left his office. The moment she was gone, Nathan picked up his phone and made a call.

"Watch her. Report every move she makes."

In the ER … Alina sat at her desk, organizing patient reports. Today, for the first time, one of her patients woke up.

"Aileen…" a hoarse voice called. "Are you okay?"

Alina gave a small smile, trying to stay calm. "Take it easy, sir. Let me check your condition first."

The man nodded, but his expression was still full of worry. "I'm just glad you're alive," he murmured. "But you need to be careful. They want you dead."

Alina continued her examination, but her mind was racing. "Who are they?" she asked cautiously.

The man's eyes widened in shock. "You … you don't remember me?"

Alina frowned. "I'm sorry, but—"

"You also forgot our enemies?"

His face twisted with anger and frustration. Before his emotions could spiral, a nurse stepped in.

"Sir, please calm down," she said gently. "You've just recovered from surgery. Try to relax."

But the man refused to be pacified. "We fought together to uncover the truth, and now you don't even remember me?"

The nurse glanced at Alina, then whispered to the man. "Dr. Aileen just recovered from an accident. Her memory is a bit hazy."

The man's expression changed. His eyes widened as realization sank in. "So… they really did get to you?"

He exhaled slowly, shaking his head. "At least you're still alive."

After finishing her examination, Alina left the patient's room. She was about to head to the break room when a nurse suddenly ran up to her.

"Dr. Aileen!" she called. "Thank God you're alive!"