...It is a very long, very drawn out string of events that I, honestly, do not want to go into at the moment in great detail. But. I will give you the short version, yes?

[For that? She'll need another glass of wine. This one was empty. She reaches over and pours herself another, stares out at the shore. Sorts her thoughts, pares everything down to the barest skeleton before speaking.]

My ex-husband was a gambler. I wasn't aware until he'd already put the both of us into very steep debt with men that have...particular reputations. Without means to pay it off with what I earned as a legitimate surgeon, a mentor and trusted associate of mine offered me an opportunity for extra money on the side.

Not everyone that needs a surgeon is able to go to a hospital for whatever reason. Usually because they are...criminals.