As the first rays of morning light streamed in, Eleanor rubbed her sore eyes and confirmed Serena's latest data one last time. Everything was stable.

Dr. Smith urged her to get some rest, so Eleanor nodded and went to the small lounge prepared for her. She lay down on the sofa and was asleep almost instantly.

Around eight o'clock, Dr. Smith called lan to report their progress.

"I'll be there at nine. How's Eleanor?" lan asked, his voice low.

"She's asleep in the lounge," Dr. Smith said.

"Thank you both for your hard work."

"Of course," Dr. Smith replied, his voice buzzing with excitement. "We've waited a

long time for this moment. By the way, when will Miss Shannon arrive?"

"Before nine."

"Excellent! We may need quite a bit from her this time."

"She'll be prepared," lan said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

At ten minutes to nine, a black town car pulled up to the entrance. As Vanessa's agent, Laverne, started to get out with her, Vanessa stopped her. "You can go back."

Laverne paused. "You don't need me to come with you?"

"No, lan's here. He'll be with me," Vanessa said as she grabbed her handbag and stepped out of the car.

Laverne had no choice but to get back inside and tell the driver to leave.

Vanessa looked up at the laboratory's main hall, her grip tightening on her purse. She took a deep breath and finally walked inside.

"Miss Shannon, you're here. This way, please," a nurse said, having been sent to greet her.

Vanessa followed her into the elevator and up to the phlebotomy room. The sight of the equipment made her instinctively clench her fists, a flicker of resistance in her eyes. But then, as if remembering if something she set down her bag, rolled up her sleeve, and sat in the chair.

Just then, Dr. Smith entered with another nurse, who was carrying a rack of collection vials. When Vanessa saw how many there were, the color drained from her face. Were they going to fill all of those?

"Doctor, you promised me I wouldn't be in any danger. Are you sure about that?" she demanded, looking up at Dr. Smith.

He saw through her anxiety and nodded reassuringly. "Rest assured, Miss Shannon. We will take every

precaution to ensure your safetynet

the

during the collection." Turning urse, he said, "We need to to have this done by ten o'clock. You can begin."

The nurse approached, and as the needle pierced Vanessa's skin, she gasped. The pain seemed to trigger a kind of muscle memory, making it feel excruciating.

At that moment, the door opened and lan walked in. When Vanessa saw him, she tried to mask the pain on her face, forcing a look of brave endurance so she wouldn't appear distorted and ugly.

lan gave Dr. Smith a brief nod and

stood off to the side. When Vanessa looked at him, tears welled in her eyes, making her look pitiable enough to break anyone's heart. But lan's gaze was fixed only on the

nurse's movements as one vial after another was filled with fresh blood.

After the first set was drawn, the nurse prepared for a second.

Vanessa's face went white. "No-stop, I'm scared. I don't want to do this anymore." She suddenly recoiled, and the nurse said urgently, "Miss Shannon,

you can't move! Please, calm down."

"Let go of me! It hurts! I don't want to do this anymore-" Vanessa struggled, about to rip the needle from her arm.