“You are remarkable, Miss Hanson," Lilah complimented. “Stay here, I'll call a doctor."

“There's no need." Miranda interrupted her. "Remember, I am a doctor. I'll write down a prescription for you to fill. Regarding Mrs. Harris‘ condition, let me know when it's safe for me to visit her, but I must remain unseen by others."

Lilah pondered briefly and then proposed, “Tomorrow morning. Brenda is currently resting, and the house is quite crowded, making a discreet visit challenging."

Miranda nodded in agreement.

Lilah exited the room and quickly briefed Gerard on the situation, who then arranged for the purchase of the prescribed medications, including surgical items Like scalpels and stitches.

Lilah, uneasy, delivered the supplies to Miranda, who dismissed her with brief thanks. Something didn't sit right with her.

“If you're concerned about her, you should go assist her," Gerard suggested, his expression grave. "And if possible, try to uncover who might bear her ill will. If she requires our aid, we will not hesitate to provide it."

Lilah nodded and tiptoed back upstairs.

The bedroom door was shut, a barrier as if separating them from two distinct realms.

Suddenly, a stifled groan emanated from within.

Anxiety gripped Lilah, surmising that Miranda was tending to her own injuries.

With growing apprehension, she opened the door and hurried inside.

As Lilah entered the room, the sight before her nearly turned her blood to ice.

Miranda lay writhing, a gruesome wound on her thigh so deep it nearly exposed the bone. The flesh around it curled grotesquely, blood gushing vividly across her leg. With a towel clenched between her teeth, Miranda peeled away the decayed layers of flesh.

Even Lilah, seasoned by countless battles and scars, caught her breath at the horrific scene.

"Get out!" Miranda's voice was a cold command.

Stunned, Lilah felt a surge of heartache and concern swell within her, tears shimmering in her eyes.

"Did you apply anesthetic? It will hurt and could easily become infected. Please, let me help you. I can take you to a private hospital where you won't be exposed," she urged, her words tumbling out in her anxiety.

Pain seemed to push Miranda to the brink of consciousness, her face ashen and gaunt. Yet, she managed to grit her teeth and force out each word with fierce determination. "I said, get out!"

"No." Resolute, Lilah stepped forward, steadying Miranda with a firm hand. "If you won't go with me, then I'm here to assist you."

In that moment, it was clear Miranda needed more than stubborn solitude; she needed support to endure the unbearable pain.

Depleted of strength, Miranda could barely struggle, her breaths heavy and labored as if she were drowning, teetering on the edge of death.

Her voice, barely above a whisper, trembled as she urged, “Help me stitch it up... I've managed to numb the area and cleanse the wound."

Please, hurry.