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“This woman,” he growled through clenched teeth, frustration rising. “Doesn’t even know how to ask for help…”

He redialed her number. Straight to voicemail again.

“Mr. Moretti?” Xander’s voice broke through, tight and cautious. “You might want to check your phone.”

Lorenzo’s brow creased. He glanced down at his phone, then at Xander, suspicion flaring in his eyes. “Did she finally come to her senses? What did she text you? Did she say she needs help?”

“No, sir. It’s… the social sites,” Xander said, voice still tense.

Lorenzo immediately swiped through his phone and opened the trending feed.

‘Stabbing girl turns out to be a renowned medical doctor.’

‘Accused woman, blamed for performing an ego-driven surgery on her attacker, revealed to have international medical degrees and awards.’

‘The woman who was mocked for stitching up her attacker turns out to be Astra—the anonymous world renowned doctor known for treating impossible cases.’

Lorenzo’s phone trembled in his hand. His chest tightened. He nearly dropped the device.

“Krystal… is Astra?” His voice came out low, deadly quiet. His gaze lifted, piercing Xander. “Krystal isAstra? The woman who’s been treating Esther?”

“It... it seems so, Mr. Moretti,” Xander stammered. “I’m not a hundred percent certain yet, but everything points to it.”

Lorenzo exploded. “Then what the hell are you waiting for?! Go confirm it!”

Xander spun around, typing furiously on his phone to verify the online reports.

Lorenzo paced like a caged beast, chest rising and falling in tight, angry breaths. His eyes burned with betrayal.

“Krystal Moretti!” he roared, slamming his fist on the hood of the car. “Just how many things are you hiding from me?”

He turned sharply toward Xander, eyes blazing. “‘Wait till it gets worse?’ That’s what you said, right?”

Xander flinched, avoiding his gaze.

Lorenzo’s fist lifted again, and Xander reflexively backed away with a nervous, awkward laugh. “M-Mr. Moretti, my intentions were good! Please understand…”

***

“Why would you reveal it?!” Krystal cried as she threw herself face-first into the couch pillow. Then she grabbed it and flung it straight at Darren. “Why?! I told you I didn’t want to reveal anything!”

Darren ducked, dodging the pillow just in time. “Have you evenseenthe socials?” he shot back. “You wouldn’t have made it out of the house without someone throwing stones at you. People were pissed. I couldn’t stay quiet any longer—they were spitting so much crap about you! You were getting dragged through the mud. Ithadto come out.”

Krystal groaned, pushing off the couch and pacing restlessly. “If I wanted to tell the world, I would’ve done it myself. But you went ahead and exposed everything! Now the whole damn world knows.”

Kara slammed her coffee cup on the counter and marched toward her. “Why are you even hiding in the first place? Things have already blown up. And you’re still worried about keeping secrets?”

Krystal gave her a cold, pointed look. “What wouldyoudo if you found out your husband had been lying to you for the past two years, and your entire marriage was built on a lie?”

“I’d skin him alive,” Kara said without missing a beat, a dry chuckle in her tone.

But when she saw Krystal’s expression, the humor vanished.

Kara’s eyes widened. “Wait—oh my God. You haven’t told him yet?! That you married him just to treat his illness? He still thinks you're some full-time housewife who never even finished school?”

Krystal didn’t answer.

Kara stared. “Girl, you’re a walking time bomb. When he finds out, he’ll come for your throat.”