A Forbidden Act

Days passed, and Layla began receiving baskets filled with rare fruits, carefully sent from the palace.

At first, she paid them little attention. Perhaps it was the court's way of thanking her for her work? After all, she had never asked for anything.

But today, she had no time to dwell on these mysteries.

As soon as she arrived at the poor hospital, a nurse greeted her with a grave expression.

— Layla, come quickly!

She led her to a critically ill patient. Her breathing was irregular, her body burning with fever. Layla immediately leaned over her, examining her symptoms.

Her heart clenched.

She knew this illness. And more importantly, she knew that without the proper medication, the woman had no chance of survival.

She turned to the other nurses.

— Do you have what's needed?

One of them lowered her head, eyes filled with sorrow.

— That remedy… it's only available in the hospital for the wealthy.

A slow-burning anger rose in Layla.

Why? Why separate lives based on wealth?

She didn't hesitate. She headed straight to the neighboring building the luxurious hospital reserved for the elite. There, she formally requested the medicine.

They laughed in her face.

Then, they threatened her.

She was to leave immediately or face the consequences.

Layla pretended to comply… but once out of sight, she slipped around the building and discreetly entered through a secondary entrance.

She moved on silent steps, heart pounding. She knew she had no right to be here. If she got caught…

She finally found the remedy room.

And what she saw inside took her breath away.

Entire shelves filled with medicines, with rare herbs she had never seen before.

A shiver ran through her.

People were dying outside while, here, treasures of healing lay untouched in the dark.

She shook her head, refusing to be distracted. She grabbed the vial she needed and left quickly, making sure to leave no trace behind.

Back with the patient, she immediately prepared the remedy and administered it with care.

The effect was swift.

The tremors stopped. The woman's breathing slowly steadied.

Layla exhaled a sigh of relief.

She had saved her.

A wave of pride surged through her. No matter the risks she had just taken.

This life was worth any danger.