Guilty

"You are safe here." the doctor assured her in a warm voice as they sat in the car. 

Nora was looking at the car as if she was looking at one for the first time. The fear and anxiety in her eyes with a hint of anticipation made her look so vulnerable. 

She blinked and looked at the doctor in confusion as she held her dress tightly.

"Who are you and how do you know me?" Though she asked, she was trembling with thrill. When Penny had locked the door, Nora had seen the opportunity in it. 

She sat inside until the door started creaking and then she entered the bathtub and acted like she was drowning.

She had consciously drunk a few mouthfuls of the bathwater. She only wanted to act unconscious until Benard left.

But who would have thought that she would be so lucky to meet Maxmillian, the youngest doctor of the city who had achieved so much.

She had met him in her past life too when she had been injured by Benard too many times. He had offered her help but she knew. If she would go against Benard, her child would be hurt in the process.

And she did not want to take the risk. Willingly, she had sacrificed her life for her child. At that time, Max had told her about the NGO he was working for and the MD of the hospital he was working in.

 He had told her that they had helped so many young girls and had saved them from violence. He had also told her about the recent projects they have taken. He did not remember her. But she did remember how she had helped him in the past. She had worked with him and saved many lives. But Alas, she could not save her own life.

But it must be fate that out of so many doctors, he was the one being called for her. It was a sign. A sign God had given her another life.

And now that he was so close, she wanted to hug him and tell him that she wanted to accept his offer in this life. She had intentionally let Penny beat her so that they would feel pity on her and save her.

Even if her family wanted, they could not prove that her drowning was an accident. But she felt guilty for using the only person who had offered warmth in her past life.

"Are you alright, child?" She hid those feelings in her heart and nodded softly while looking at him with wary eyes. "Alas, you are so cautious of me when I mean no harm." he smiled softly. 

Though he was so young, he behaved like an old man to assure her. She wanted to tell him that she was older to him in her mind but she only looked at him biting her lips.

"My uncle." his face went cold at once and the temperature in the room fell. She noticed the rage and goaded, but held the corner of her seat and bit her lips harder.

"Elenora, that is your name right?" he asked, changing the topic as if he was trying to deal with a scared animal, "but I heard others calling you Norah. if you don't mind, can i call you Nora too?" His voice was like the fresh breeze of night. 

She slowly nodded letting go of the seat. The man with him had already gone and she was grateful for that. For some reason, she felt that he could see through her ruse.

But as long as he did not stop Max from saving her, she did not care what that man thought. She slowly nodded to Max who smiled brightly like a child getting candies.

"So, Nora. I am a doctor. And last night I came to check on you when you were unconscious." he told her softly and then started driving.

"I hope you do not mind that I drive while we talk. You know, I have to reach the hospital early as there is an emergency." she nodded, already feeling bad that she was using such a kind man.

Ignorant of her struggles, he smiled at her and the car left the building she loathed too much.

She looked at the reflection of the building with hostility and hatred in her eyes though she was sure that her family would not give up on her that easily.

They wanted to use her to get the promotion. Until she convinced Penny to take her place and mary Benard, she could not be safe.

Not only that, she had to make sure that benard lost all the power he had. One step at a time, she reminded herself.

"So, last night I saw strange wounds on your body. Though they were healed the marks had remained and to think that one could drown in the bathtub, it is hard to digest that Nora." he sighed as if he was trying to control his anger. 

"So tell me, what happened last night. Did someone try to hurt you or worse?" 

He waited for her reply with bated breath. She could see genuine worry in his eyes. He was restraining himself from looking at her in case his anger scared her.

But he did not know that she was relieved. She was worried that her pain would not be enough to get his attention.

"No no, no one hurted me. Penny was only helping me in taking the bath, she would never hurt me. She is my sister after all."