Chapter 28
Chapter 28
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The voice seemed to crawl up from the depths of hell, sending a chill straight through me. He still wore that polite smile, as if the terrifying words he’d just spoken hadn’t come from him at all.
I asked, “Everything? Didn’t you almost kill me? Do you really think I won’t call the police right now?”
“Go ahead, call them,” Dexter said, as if resigned. He handed me his phone. “But before you do, let’s eat first, okay?”
His tone was like he was talking to a child. If it weren’t for everything that had happened, I might’ve found his words oddly soothing. But now, I just stared at him, refusing to take the phone.
Things weren’t going the way I’d imagined. I was still in the hospital, and had no idea what was going on outside. From Dexter’s behavior, it looked like he was waiting for me to call the police.
But I thought, ‘Why is he so eager? He was the one who nearly killed me, after all…
I picked up the spoon with my good hand and started eating. I didn’t say anything, but my actions were a clear sign of my reluctant compromise.
Dexter’s face lit up, and he seemed genuinely pleased. After finishing my meal, I sent him out of the room on purpose, then grabbed the phone.
Not long after, a few of my colleagues came to visit.
Among them was Holly. She looked at me with hesitation, staying behind the others and not stepping forward.
It had been so long since I’d seen familiar faces. I felt a mix of warmth and joy as I talked to them for a while.
Dexter was running around, pouring coffee and offering fruit. Just then, the door opened, and several police officers entered.
“Who made the call?” the lead officer asked.
“I did,” I said.
Dexter instantly tensed up. As soon as no one was looking, he shot me a fierce glare.
I ignored him and continued, “Officer, I need to report something…”
Before I could finish, Dexter interrupted. “Sylvia, I’ve told you countless times, your condition isn’t stable right now. You can’t just make random calls or call the police like this.
“Aren’t you just causing trouble? I know you’re upset because I couldn’t save you that day, but that wasn’t my fault.”
He sighed heavily. “Seeing you like this really hurts me, but you can’t go around saying I’m a murderer, can you? I’m your husband. This really breaks my heart.”
He cast a sorrowful glance at the officers. “I’m sorry, officers. My wife’s injured. She’s been a little… shaken up,” he said, pointing to his head.
I was stunned, fighting the urge to laugh. I thought, ‘So this is his plan…
The officers exchanged confused glances, then looked down at their reports. “Murderer? What murderer? Sylvia, didn’t you say you wanted to report a safety issue at the Hot Springs Resort? How did we get to a murder case?”
Chapter 28
Now it was Dexter’s tum to look dunklended 1 watched the shock great on his face, Sorting a risted carisfaction
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I 1 cleared my throat and spoke up again. “Yes, I fell into the revine behind the Hot Springs Resort. I was tuck there for days before anyone found me.
“If it had been a child or an elderly person, they’d be dead by now. I’ve been in the hospital ever since, and the resort hasn’t even shown up. I want to protect my legal rights?
Before 1 could finish, Dexter’s face turned athen.
Finally, after explaining everything, I sent the police off. While my colleagues were still around, I turned to Dexter and asked, “Why did you say I’m crazy earlier? I didn’t say anything, Why do you think you’re a murderer? Dexter… is your illness acting up again?
Sheila looked surprised. “What illness?”
Dexter shot me a sharp glare. “You’re still recovering, Don’t say nomeme!
“Right, right, I misspoke,” I said, feigning embarrassment. I forced a nervous smile at my colleagues. Don’t take it seriously?
Dexter’s expression darkened even more.
But Holly seemed to relax, her gaze softening as she looked at me.
Soon, my colleagues left, and I asked Dexter to see them off.
It was obvious Dexter was displeased with my earlier behavior. After seeing the guests out, he went straight home, saying the caregiver would arrive soon to take care of me.
But the caregiver he’d arranged only worked the night shift and wouldn’t arrive until after 9 PM. That was still hours away.
I thought, “Typical of him–leaving me, a disabled patient, alone in the hospital room. He was punishing me in his own way. I couldn’t care less.
The door opened again, and this time it was Holly.
We exchanged a knowing look, and I asked, “What’s going on out there?”
“Your husband’s already spread the word about your alleged affair. Everyone who needs to know, knows. Also…. I’ve taken over the project you were working on, but your year–end bonus will be credited to your account.
“You should focus on recovering at home for now. Once your family issues are sorted, come back to work.” Holly paused for a moment. “Those were the big boss’s words.”
I forced a smile, bitter and resigned. “So… you’ve seen those photos too?”
Holly hesitated for a few seconds before nodding. “He sent them from your email. It seems like an accident, but there’s something off about it.”
“Do you really think I’m that kind of person?”
“Who you are doesn’t matter to me,” she said. “The only Sylvia I know is the one I work with. But if Dexter exposed something like that about me, I’d go to war with him. If… if all of this is a lie, you’d better be careful.”
Holly stared at me intently, her eyes filled with unspoken disapproval. “You should’ve divorced him a long time ago.”
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Chapter 28
“If I had filed for divorce, he would’ve killed me.”
“You mean… your injury wasn’t an accident?”
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“No.” I shook my head and closed my eyes. “He and that woman pushed me. The situation was so sudden I didn’t see who she was, but I heard their conversation. I’m sure it was Dexter’s voice.”
Holly was silent for a moment. “You should know that, on your own, you can’t convict him without evidence.”
I nodded. If I had the proof, I wouldn’t have been stuck in this situation for so long.
I asked, “Could you do me a favor? Please check on Juno for me,”
“Of course.”
Holly was reliable. That evening, she sent me a video of Juno leaving kindergarten. Since she wasn’t a parent, she couldn’t pick him up, but she managed to record Juno walking home.
In the video, he looked tired and emotionless. That wasn’t my Juno. The fact that I’d been absent for so long must have affected him deeply. I thought, ‘I need to recover quickly so I can be with him again!
Later that night, Dexter came back. I didn’t say a word to him and went about my evening routine, slowly washing up. It was hard, but I gritted my teeth, knowing the doctor said I needed to practice in order to regain my strength faster.
Dexter leaned against the bathroom doorframe. “Let’s talk.”
“I have nothing to say to you.” I didn’t even look at him as I continued brushing my teeth.
In the mirror, his eyes were dark and unreadable, watching me intensely. It sent a chill down my spine, but I didn’t let it show.
“Sylvia, this is the price for bringing up divorce,” he said, his voice low. “Don’t think you can leave me. You’re my wife.”
I spat out the foam and smiled coldly. “What’s the point of all this? Is your dramatic ‘love‘ supposed to make me change my mind? If you really want to go back to how things were, if you really don’t want me to divorce you… fine.”
I looked up, locking eyes with him. “Let me meet that woman. I want to see who she is, the one who’s managed to make you so obsessed.”
