Chapter 27
Chapter 27
I was consumed by rage–so much rage! I thought, ‘How can I have been so stupid? How can i have fallen for their trick yo easily?‘
I was too naive. I never imagined it could get this bad. When I thought about Dexter’s affair, 1 only expected soncemen worst, a fight over our assets. I never in my worst nightmare thought they would actually want to kill me.
Blood rushed from my mouth when I tried to speak, and I couldn’t say another word,
“Well, let her die then. It’s your fault for sticking your nose in everything, poking around where you don’t belong, Now look at you—this is what happens when you get involved. Oh well… I’ve got blood on my hands now. Terrific
The woman muttered to herself as her footsteps grew fainter, and I was left alone in the silence.
“Come… back…” I tried to call out, but my voice was so weak. I couldn’t hold on much longer, and soon, everything, faded to
black.
When I woke up, it was still daylight. The absence of time only added to my panic. The pain hadn’t lessened, it was still there, sharp and overwhelming, crawling through every inch of my body,
I waited through the day, then through the night, and finally, the next morning. I thought I might hear rescue teams, but the silence around me was deafening. No footsteps, no voices, nothing.
I wondered, ‘Can this really be how I die? No, I can’t! Juno is waiting for me to come home. Martha… my sister…
With that thought, I gritted my teeth and, summoning all my strength, I grabbed onto a dry vine and tried to pull myself up. But with a snap, the brittle vine gave way under my weight, and I crashed back down.
“Who’s down there?” Just as I thought I might give up, a voice rang out from above.
“It’s me… help…” I tried to shout, but all that came out was a faint, desperate whisper.
A moment later, I heard someone pushing through the bushes. “What are you doing here? Wait–let me call an ambulance.
I thought, “The voice is so familiar… Is that… Dr. Norman?‘ For a second, I thought my ears were deceiving me. ‘How could Dr. Norman be here?‘
I held on until help arrived, but by the time I passed out again, I didn’t even get to see who had rescued me.
I woke up in the hospital seven days later. The first thing I saw was Dexter–that devil–sitting by my bed. My body tensed in fear, but he was looking at me with so much fake concern, his eyes practically overflowing with false tenderness.
“Sweetheart, you’re awake?” His voice was full of joy. “Doctor! Doctor! My wife is awake!”
Before I knew it, a team of doctors and nurses had crowded around me. After their examination, they said I had defied the odds.
From such a great height, I had broken multiple bones and severely injured my organs. I had lost so much blood, and yet I had somehow managed to survive out there for so long.
Dexter was crying now. “Honey, do you have any idea how worried I was? What made you come back for me? I’m a grown man–I’d be fine. Why do you have to be so stupid…”
Everyone in the room was clearly moved by his act. But I felt numb, cold to the bone. I couldn’t move–my body was
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shattered.
As my legal spouse, Dexter had far more control over me than I ever realized.
First of all, I couldn’t get rid of him. The hospital needed his signature on my medical forms. Even though Martha was there, she couldn’t do anything about it. Dexter had taken charge, and with a spouse present, my parents were sidelined.
I gritted my teeth, holding back tears. I’d endure this for now. Once I was stronger, I’d figure out what to do next.
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I did my best to cooperate with my treatment and focus on my recovery. After two major surgeries, I was finally able to get out of bed and walk.
No longer a half–invalid, I clung to the edge of the bed, carefully moving one step at a time. As I did, a flood of emotions hit
- me.
Now that I could walk, the first thing I did was ask Martha, “How’s Juno? I want to see him.”
Martha looked at me in surprise. “Juno’s with Dexter. After you got so badly hurt, you couldn’t take care of him. Dexter’s been running the household and staying with you at the hospital. He’s really been through a lot.”
She paused, as though unsure whether to continue. Then, after a long silence, she added, “Sylvia… do you still want to divorce Dexter?”
I stared at her, confused. “What do you mean?”
Martha hesitated for a moment before finally speaking up, “You can’t be so foolish. You have such a good family. Look at how responsible Dexter is, how well he takes care of you and Juno.
“Don’t throw it all away just because of some man outside. If your father were still here and saw you like this, he’d probably break your legs!”
My head went numb. That was when I realized what had been off all this time. When Martha visited me, her expressions and words felt strange–like she was torn between pity and reproach.
I hadn’t noticed it before because I was so focused on surviving my injuries. Now, as I thought back, it became clear… Martha thought I had someone else.
I laughed bitterly, fury rising inside me. “Mom, I didn’t! I swear, I’m innocent!”
She lowered her eyes, her lips tight with a frown.
When she didn’t say anything, I felt panic rise. “Are you still my mom? I was pushed! It was Dexter! He’s the one who tried to kill me! I’m calling the police!” I made a move to grab my phone.
But Martha quickly stood up and stopped me. Her eyes were red, filled with a painful mix of disbelief and anger. “Do you think I don’t believe you? I believe you, Sylvia! When Dexter found the evidence of your affair, I even defended you!
“But then… he showed me a photo of you in bed with another man. Sylvia, my daughter… you weren’t even wearing clothes. I believe you, but… can anyone else believe you?”
My world spun. I almost collapsed. A photo of me in bed with another man… It must have been taken that day at the hotel,
on the 19th floor.
I had escaped. I had even put on a performance in front of Dexter, but I couldn’t stop them from using those photos as leverage.
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“I didn’t!” I shook my head, tears filling my eyes.
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“Fine, you didn’t. But you focus on getting better now. Don’t ever mention divorce again! Your father and I care about our reputation. What would people think if they found out about this? How am I supposed to face your father if you keep going
on like this?”
I fell silent, my mind a chaotic mess.
That evening, Dexter came to bring me dinner. Watching how attentive Martha was toward him made me feel even worse.
“Dexter, stay and spend some time with Sylvia. I’ll head home now. The nurse will be here soon,” Martha said, her tone warm and caring.
“Mom, take care on your way back. I’m sorry to trouble you, especially with your health,” Dexter replied, sounding so
sincere.
Martha was clearly touched. She waved him off with a smile and left.
Now, only Dexter and I were left in the room. The atmosphere was thick with tension.
I glared at him, but he didn’t seem to notice. He calmly set up the small table and started arranging the food. As he did, he spoke, “I made your favorite–bacon. You should eat it. It’ll help with your recovery.”
I coldly interrupted him. “Cut the act, Dexter. When I fell that day, I heard you and that woman talking. You did this, didn’t you?”
His hands froze, and he looked at me deeply. “Sylvia, I know you’re upset. Getting hurt is hard, and I get it. But please, don’t overthink things. I’ll always be here for you, as long as you stop talking about divorce.”
“I don’t want Juno to grow up in a broken home,” he said earnestly, but his words only fueled my anger.
“You’re still pretending?” I couldn’t hold back my frustration, letting out a mocking laugh. “Dexter, what do you and that woman want? My family’s inheritance? The insurance money?
“What is it? I’ll tell you right now–don’t even think about it. I’ve already made sure Martha and Juno are the beneficiaries, not you!”
Dexter stared at me for a moment, then suddenly smiled. He picked up the small plate and brought the bacon to my lips. In a voice so quiet that only I could hear, he whispered, “What I want… is everything that’s yours.”
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