Hiding in the Devil's Bed (by Malea Cox) novel Chapter 1

Chapter 1

The operating room was shrouded in an almost suffocating sterility, the sharp tang of disinfectant lingering in the air. A blinding sea of white walls and fluorescent surgical lights blurred the line between reality and a surreal nightmare.

“Ms. Edwards, the surgery is about to begin. Please relax and dont worry… A calm, reassuring voice floated close to Amelia Edwards‘ ear.

Her eyelids flew open, her pulse spiking. Staring back at her was the kind and professional smile of the lead surgeon, Jacob Green. She gasped, her red lips trembling as she spoke his name, “Dr. Green?”

Her mind raced. ‘Wasn’t I already dead? How am I lying here on an operating table?”

“Mr. Foster has arranged for the best medical team to ensure your safety,” Jacob explained, his voice steady and soothing beneath his surgical mask. Tll lead the procedure, so you’re in good hands.”

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But Amelia’s heart thundered in her chest, her shock rendering her momentarily speechless. Her hand moved instinctively to her left breast, her fingers trembling as they pressed against the soft, unscarred flesh. It was still there.

A wave of overwhelming relief hit her like a tidal surge, leaving her trembling from head to toe. Tears pooled in her wide, disbelieving eyes.

She pinched herself hard, the sharp sting confirming what seemed impossible–she was alive. This wasn’t a dream born of desperation on the brink of death.

She had been reborn, returning to the very moment when all her nightmares had begun.

In her last life, Amelia had met Zachary Foster through an arranged date orchestrated by her parents, Zachary’s courtship had been nothing short of relentless–showering her affectionately and treating her like a princess. She’d been swept off her

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But just before their wedding, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and forced to undergo a mastectomy, losing her left breast. Zachary, ever the devoted fiancé, hadn’t flinched. He married her the moment she was discharged, a gesture that had moved her to tears.

Blinded by love, she had handed over her entire fortune to Zachary to save his failing company.

And then she’d fallen for his lies. Claiming a pursuit of “platonic love“, Zachary had convinced her to endure three years of a sexless marriage.

But the day she saw him with her stepsister Sandra Edwards–and their three–year–old son—was the day the truth shattered her world. The “platonic love” was nothing but a cruel joke and e “DINK lifestyle‘ was just a convenient excuse. Zachary hadn’t wanted her–not from the beginning.

Even the breast cancer diagnosis and this surgery had been a meticulously crafted sham, and she wasn’t really sick.

Her scheming stepsister, Sandra–who had already been secretly involved with Zachary–worried that once they were married, he wouldn’t be able to control himself and would actually sleep with Amelia. So, Sandra cunningly bribed Jacob to set a trap and deliberately maim Amelia’s body.

Also, Amelia’s supposedly doting “mother” was not her biological parent at all, but a conniving stepmother whose endless adoration was nothing more than a facade to isolate and control her.

Behind closed doors, she was quietly destroying Amelia. To the outside world, she carefully crafted the image of a devoted selfless mother, all while secretly plotting against Amelia.

Together, they’d orchestrated her downfall, robbing her of her Health, wealth, and dignity. They il sweet–talked her into agreeing to a blind date with Zachary, persuading her to under the mastectomy, and even getting her to marry him.

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Chapter 1

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They deceived her into–transferring all her assets to Zachary, including the priceless jewelry her late mother had left her.

When her usefulness and fortune had dried up, she’d been discarded–a broken, penniless divorcee. The devastating revelation had driven her to the edge. Unable to bear the weight of betrayal, she had thrown herself into the sea and died.

Yet now, against all odds, fate had given her a second chance, and Amelia found herself inexplicably returned to the moment just before the surgery.

“Ms. Edwards, don’t be nervous,” Jacob said with a warm smile, his tone steady but strangely unsettling. “Mr. Foster insisted I ensure you come through this surgery safely.” His words only amplified Amelia’s dread.

Since her rebirth, she knew she couldn’t allow herself to be tricked into having her left breast removed as she had in her last

life.

Yet, every person present was part of Zachary’s arrangement. She couldn’t just declare that she wasn’t sick and didn’t need the surgery–it would raise suspicion. She had to find a way to escape this.

“Dr. Green, wait.” Amelia’s voice quivered with urgency, though she struggled to concealed her panic.

Jacob paused, his gentle eyes narrowing with curiosity. “Is there something else you’re concerned about?”

I… I need to use the restroom,” she blurted, clutching the disposible surgical pad beneath her with clammy hands. Her heart raced as if it might break free from her chest

“Why so much trouble? Didn’t you just go to the restroom before entering the operating room?” a female assistant behind Jacob asked impatiently.

The voice was intentionally lowered, but its familiarity struck Amelia like a bolt of lightning, sending a chill down her spine: Her heart froze. ‘Sandra? She’s here too?

Cold sweat dampened Amelia’s palms as a mix of fury and fear coursed through her veins. Her unease grew with every second.

She struggled to sit up, her body trembling. “I… I must be too nervous. Just give me a moment-

The anesthesiologist was already poised, syringe ready to adminster the sedative at a moment’s notice.

Though they were stepsisters, Amelia had been born with a silve spoon, holding a 30% share of the family business. Meanwhile, Sandra had nothing to her name.

Amelia shook her head, her voice growing firmner. This place is too crowded. It’s not convenient. Til go out and talk to him We’ll need to delay the surgery anyway, so please make the necesary adjustments and prepare everything again

the 12–hour fasting for the surgery that her vision blurred, and her steps were unsteady, but she pressed on.

The door to the operating room slid open, revealing a tall, young man in a perfectly tailored suit. His gold–rimmed glasses reflected the harsh hallway light, and his face carried its usual mask of authority. He was in the middle of giving instructions to his subordinates, his expression dark and brooding.

The moment he saw Amelia step out of the operating room, his face soured. But he quickly recovered, a practiced smile curving his lips as he walked toward her. “Amelia, what are you doing out here?” Zachary asked, his tone warm and composed.

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