I Stopped Loving Him When He Let Me Bleed Out novel Chapter 173

Paxton stared at her.

When wearing a white coat, the woman in front of him was an angel devoted to saving lives.

But sitting here in the bookstore, her gaze was as sharp and cold as a blade.

"Didn't you go to the cops? If the police can't do anything about it, what else can you possibly do?"

Sienna met his gaze unflinchingly.

"Then I'll handle it myself."

Paxton fell silent for a few moments before a smirk tugged at his lips.

"Alright. I'll look into it for you."

Early the next morning.

Isaac's car was parked right outside her apartment building.

Sienna walked out dragging her suitcase, pausing in surprise when she saw his vehicle.

"I already ordered a rideshare. It'll be here any minute."

Isaac looked at her through the rolled-down window.

"So we can't even be friends anymore?"

Sienna hesitated for a moment.

"That's not it."

"Then get in."

Sienna didn't move an inch.

"I've made arrangements at Willow Creek. You'll be stationed at the nature reserve's medical center—it's a better environment and much safer. It's only for three months, but it shouldn't be too hard on you." Isaac's tone was exactly the same as before, as if his dramatic confession had never happened.

He spoke to her purely as a professional colleague.

"Dr. Sterling, someone will be there to pick you up when you arrive. My mother actually happens to be vacationing out there right now. I just texted you her number. If you run into any trouble, you can reach out to her."

Sienna looked at him.

"Thank you."

Right on cue, the rideshare she had ordered pulled up to the curb.

Sienna waved at him.

"Goodbye, Director Holloway."

She pulled the door open and got into the other car.

-

Finn's SUV was parked at a highway rest stop.

He leaned back against the driver's seat, the harsh glow of his phone screen casting shadows over his face.

Arthur's final words were still echoing in his mind.

He forced down the violent surge of anger boiling in his chest.

Standing there, Sienna felt the heavy, suffocating knot of depression that had been crushing her chest for months finally begin to loosen.

The sheer expanse of this untamed wilderness was grand enough to swallow her burdens.

Suddenly, her tangled mess of history with Finn felt remarkably insignificant.

"Dr. Sterling?"

A young man in a nature reserve uniform jogged over, sporting a deep tan and flashing a bright, toothy grin.

"I'm Joey from the reserve management office. Director Holloway sent me to pick you up. My car's just up ahead. I'll take you over."

Sienna followed him down the path.

"Joey, what kind of nature reserve is this exactly?"

"Azure Peak Nature Reserve. It's only been developed over the last few years, so we don't get massive crowds. It's really peaceful." Joey pointed to a distant mountain. "There's a waterfall over there, and if you hike further up, there's an observation deck. On a clear day, you can see the sea of clouds."

"The scenery is breathtaking."

"You bet it is," Joey chuckled. "We've got the freshest air and the cleanest water. A lot of city folks visit once and never want to leave."

Just as they were chatting, they noticed a small crowd gathered on the shoulder of the road ahead.

As Sienna got closer, the scene came into sharp focus.

A young deer was lying in the dirt, its hind leg bleeding profusely, the bone protruding.

Its fragile body trembled violently, wide, terrified eyes darting around as it struggled to stand, only to collapse back into the dirt.

"Move out of the way," a commanding, authoritative voice barked out.