Chapter 8N
Augustus‘ chest rose and fell violently.
“You’re so desperate to kill my sister just to become Mrs. Cordova, aren’t you?“W
“Mr. Cordova, I-“}
“Guards! Throw her into the Serpent Pit.“N
“Mr. Cordova!” My eyes widened, blood surging in my temples. “They have to induce vomiting now! Another minute and it’ll be too late–let go! Let me go!“N
Beatrice’s eyes reddened. “Annalise, to become Mrs. Cordova, you’re even willing to risk someone’s life? You’re a doctor…“W
Carmella had been unconscious for so long, she had no idea who had dragged her back from death again and again. When she heard Beatrice crying, her own face twisted in resentment.”
“Brother! Why is this doctor so evil? Does she want me dead before she’s satisfied?”
Seeing his sister’s frown, Augustus‘ face darkened further. “What are you waiting for? Throw her in!” “No–don’t!!“g
Snakes. They’re my greatest fear.
And Augustus‘ favorite playthings.”
A tangle of bright, venomless serpents writhed below. Without hesitation, the guards shoved me.”
I fell into the heaving waves of snakes. A slick, damp stench swallowed me whole.
The wound in my chest hadn’t healed.”
I had no strength left to struggle. I could only feel fangs piercing my skin.”
Augustus‘ snakes weren’t poisonous, but they loved to bite. Eventually, even the pain dulled into numbness.”
Until someone dragged me back up. Augustus yanked me out, his grip like iron. “Carmella is coughing blood–save her! Save her now!“&
They threw me beside the bed. Carmella’s blood soaked the sheets in scarlet blotches.
I closed my eyes briefly. “It’s too late.“N
“How can it be too late!” Augustus‘ fingers dug into my shoulders. “You’re the best doctor–if you can’t save her, who else
can?”
A bitter smile curled my lips. “Dr. Ingram is better than me. Why not go find her?”
Augustus‘ gaze darkened with venom, but beneath it was regret. “That wretched woman… she ran off with your ex–boyfriend.“{
I wasn’t surprised. Beatrice had probably planned her escape the moment she administered the drug.”
These past months, she received plenty of rewards from Augustus.”
For the Cordova family, even crumbs between their fingers could feed two people for a lifetime.”
By now, they were likely offshore with wiped identities.
I turned back to Carmella.”
She couldn’t speak, blood gushing from her mouth. Her eyes pleaded with me.”
I shook my head. “If you’d induced vomiting right away, there would’ve been hope. But after all this time–not even a god could save her ”
My vision swam as I swayed and fell, but Augustus caught me just in time. Only then did he see the countless snake bites on my body
“Dr. Humphrey His voice trembled. “Dr. Humphrey! Come here! Bandage her wounds!”
Through the blur, someone gripped my hand tightly
Augustus voice cracked with desperation. “I’ll give you what you want–I’ll make you Mrs. Cordova–just save Carmella, please, I’m begging you.
A faint, mocking smile tugged at my lips 8
“Why would I want to be Mrs. Cordova? don’t even like you…”
Shock flickered across his eyes, followed by regret. Slowly, he let go of my hand
He knelt beside me, despair flooding his gaze.
When they finally bandaged me and I stood before Carmella’s bed, Augustus remained kneeling at my feet N
Lateefa Khanam is a spirited writer who finds freedom in horse riding. She cherishes her mare and the newborn foal, calling them her little happy family.
