Chapter 1: A Difficult Path of Rebirth
Liam Steele drifted in and out of consciousness, the harsh words of a woman's voice piercing through his haze. With each passing moment, her tirade seemed to grow more intense.
"Liam Steele, you useless piece of trash! How can anyone be as worthless as you?"
"My poor daughter, cursed with a fool like this for a husband."
"All you do is clean up other people's filth, wiping asses and mopping floors. How did my daughter end up with such a pathetic excuse for a man?"
Liam lay in a stupor, struggling to make sense of the older woman's venomous words. Confusion washed over him as he forced his eyes open, taking in the sterile surroundings of a hospital room.
"Hmph, I thought this time you'd do us all a favor and die, freeing my daughter from this burden."
The last thing Liam remembered was rushing into a burning building, flames licking at his skin as he fought to save lives. How was he still alive?
Turning his head, he saw a middle-aged woman staring at him in shock. Her face was completely unfamiliar - he had no idea who she was or why she was berating him so viciously.
Hannah Birch recoiled in surprise. The doctors had told her that her good-for-nothing son-in-law had ingested something lethal. How was he sitting up and looking around?
"You worthless coward," she spat, regaining her composure. "Why couldn't you just die and put us all out of our misery?" She jabbed an accusing finger in Liam's face.
Before Liam could formulate a response, the door opened and a vision of beauty walked in. Her khaki dress hugged curves in all the right places, accentuating long, shapely legs. Liam's heart skipped a beat as he took in her delicate features.
"Dr. Hall?" The name tumbled from his lips unbidden.
Vanessa Hall was indeed the hospital's talented young surgeon, as well as a mentor to many of the interns. Though she came from the wealthy and influential Swift family, Vanessa had chosen the demanding path of a trauma surgeon. Through sheer skill and determination, she had risen to become the head of surgery at a remarkably young age.
"What did you just call my daughter?" Hannah's shrill voice cut through Liam's admiration.
"You miserable waste of space. You can't even get your own wife's name right. No wonder you tried to off yourself - you should have succeeded and done us all a favor!"
Liam froze, his mind reeling. Suicide attempt? Wife? What on earth was going on?
"Mother, please don't upset yourself." Vanessa gently but firmly guided the irate woman towards the door. "Let's step outside for a moment."
"What's there to be upset about? That useless parasite should have died and freed you from this sham of a marriage. The sooner he's gone, the better off you'll be!" Hannah's voice faded as Vanessa ushered her out of the room.
Vanessa returned a moment later, her face a mask of resigned concern as she regarded Liam. "Are you... feeling alright?" she asked softly.
"I..." Liam's words died in his throat as he caught sight of his reflection in the window. Terror gripped him as he stared at the unfamiliar face looking back.
He recognized this man - they shared a name and worked in the same hospital. But this Liam Steele was just an orderly, not the accomplished doctor Liam knew himself to be.
"How is this possible?" Liam whispered, unable to tear his eyes from the stranger in the glass. "It can't be..."
Suddenly, a searing pain lanced through his skull. A voice, ancient and powerful, echoed in his mind:
"I am Arthur Saint, betrayed and nearly destroyed by those I once called allies. My physical form is lost, but this sliver of my consciousness survived. I have gifted you with rebirth, granting you this second chance at life. I ask only one thing in return... avenge me."
As the strange presence faded, Liam felt his mind expanding. Memories and knowledge not his own flooded his consciousness, threatening to overwhelm him. Whatever had happened, one thing was clear - nothing would ever be the same again.
