Used, Broken, Reborn, Novel

Chapter 3 The terrified screams outside pierced through the restaurant's glass doors. Arabella jolted, instinctively trying to stand and rush toward the chaos -that reflex to protect was ingrained deep in her bones. But the moment she tried to move, her weakened legs betrayed her, dragging her back to reality. At the same time, Judith jumped up and shouted, "Everyone, stay calm! I'm a police officer! Protect yourselves!" Heads turned toward their table, including the bloodshot eyes of the man wielding a knife.

Judith moved to shield a few nearby customers, but in her haste, she accidentally bumped into Arabella's wheelchair, knocking it sideways and exposing Arabella to the attacker's line of sight. The man charged. Arabella's pupils constricted; she tried to dodge, but there was no time. The cold blade plunged into her body, ripping through flesh. Screams emerged all around them. Only then did Judith react. "Bella!" she cried. With help from bystanders, the attacker was finally restrained. Judith knelt in front of her, panicked. "Bella! Stay with me!

Call an 10560 Chapter 1 255 Voucher45 ambulance now!" The pain overwhelmed her. Darkness swallowed her whole. When Arabella woke again, the sharp scent of disinfectant filled her nose. Anthony was at her bedside, watching her closely. "Bella, you're awake? How do you feel? Don't worry. The doctor said you're not in any danger." She tried to speak, but her throat was painfully dry. The door opened. Judith poked her head in. "Captain Whitehead, the doctor needs a family member's signature." Anthony patted Arabella's hand.

"I'll be right back." He left quickly, and muffled voices drifted in from the hallway. She couldn't make out the words. A few minutes later, he returned. His expression was dark and conflicted. "Bella, why did you post the details of the operation where you acted as bait online?" Arabella looked bewildered, struggling to form words. "What?" "Don't play dumb." His tone hardened. "The whole internet is praising you for your so-called heroism, using yourself as bait. Your photos are everywhere! "Do you realize how serious this is?

That criminal group still has 10.56 Chapter 3 11 285 (Vouchers members at large. You just made yourself their target!" "Today's random attack was their revenge," he said coldly. "Because of you, a girl is dead!" "I didn't-" Arabella struggled to sit up. "I never posted anything!" Judith stepped in, her voice soft but firm. "Bella, calm down. I know you probably just wanted people to see your sacrifice, but posting that kind of information online is against protocol. It's dangerous, and it puts you at risk." She pulled out her phone and opened a news article.

On the screen was a photo of Arabella being rescued, the comments section filled with praise for the "disabled police heroine who faced death bravely." Arabella's blood turned cold. No one knew better than she did-those details were strictly confidential. Revealing them while suspects were still on the run wasn't self-promotion; it was suicide. "It wasn't me!" she said hoarsely, her eyes pleading with Anthony. "You have to believe me. I would never do something so stupid!" Anthony drew in a sharp breath, his tone like ice. "The IP address that posted it was traced back to our home.

"Arabella, I'm deeply disappointed in you." His disbelief cut deeper than her wounds. Chapter 1 Vors Judith placed a hand on his arm gently. "Captain Whitehead, don't be too hard on her. I'm sure Bella just made a mistake." He rubbed his temples, looking exhausted. "I'll try to contain the fallout, but the damage is already done." "Arabella, you'd better think about what you've done." With that, he walked out with Judith. Arabella lay in the hospital bed, feeling utterly abandoned. The pain in her wounds was nothing compared to the ache in her heart. He didn't believe her.

Tears finally spilled down her cheeks, burning as they fell. The day Arabella was discharged from the hospital, she saw Anthony again, with Judith following right behind him. "I'll go handle the discharge papers. Judith, stay with her," he said flatly. Not once did he look at Arabella. Moments after he left, chaos erupted. A woman burst into the room, shoving past the guards, her face twisted with rage. "You monster! You killed my daughter!" she screamed. Before anyone could react, the woman yanked open a glass bottle and hurled its contents toward Arabella.

Arabella recognized the acrid smell instantly. She tried to move her wheelchair, but her body was too slow. Chapte Judith could have easily stopped the old woman, but instead she froze, pretending to be startled. When the woman charged forward, Judith even stepped back half a pace. Only when the acid was about to hit Arabella's face did Judith suddenly spring forward, shouting "No!" and throwing herself between them. Most of the acid splashed across Judith's back and arms. The rest landed on Arabella's legs that had only just begun to heal.

The air filled with the sickening hiss of burning flesh. Seconds later, Anthony stormed into the room with a team of officers, subduing the attacker immediately. "Judith!" His face was drained of color. When he saw the horrific burns on her body, his eyes filled with panic and pain. "Doctor! Get a doctor in here now!" Without hesitation, he scooped the screaming Judith into his arms and rushed out, never once glancing at Arabella-ashen, trembling, and injured. The room fell silent. Arabella sat motionless in her wheelchair.

Her legs were numb from the burns, yet she felt an unbearable chill spread through her body. Just before losing consciousness, Judith had leaned close and whispered something in her ear. "Arabella, I know you're innocent because the one who set you up was me." Arabella couldn't comprehend it. How could a police officer, who had 70 70% 10:56 Chapter 3 288 Vouchers sworn to protect others, destroy lives for her own selfish desires? But what echoed most in her mind was the image of Anthony's back as he ran out, holding Judith. He hadn't even looked at her. Not once did he ask if she was okay.

It was then she finally understood-how clear the line between love and indifference, between trust and betrayal, becomes when danger strikes. The cold weight of despair wrapped around her chest, suffocating her. This time, she didn't even have the strength to cry. So this was what it felt like when your heart finally died. 828