Chapter 48

Sophia’s body stiffened slightly, her expression changing for a moment before quickly returning to normal.

“I don’t know them,” she said.

But I loved her so much, for so many years, that I could tell she was lying from that fleeting change in her expression. Sophia knew those people. Could she have had something to do with Mom’s death?

I turned my head, staring blankly at the white ceiling as the memory of that horrifying bloodstain below Mom’s house flooded my mind. It was so ghastly. A second later, tears streamed uncontrollably down my cheeks.

“Sophia, the police said there were no other skin cells or traces of blood found on Mom, no signs of a struggle, and no hair from anyone else at the spot where she jumped. They ruled it a suicide.”

But anyone who knew Mom would know she was a coward; she would never choose death over life. Unless it wasn’t suicide.

I turned to look at Sophia, who was sitting by the hospital bed. My gaze was filled with a mix of emotions. Sophia feigned calmness and met my eyes. “So? Why are you telling me this? How should I know why your mom killed herself?”

“Do you really think she committed suicide?” I asked, my stare growing sharper. I wanted answers from Sophia, but at the same time, I was terrified of what those answers might be.

Sophia avoided my gaze, standing up to pour me a glass of water. “If it wasn’t suicide, what else could it have been?”

Taking a deep breath, I asked softly, “Sophia, was it you? Was it you who killed my mom?” My hands gripped the blanket tightly, veins bulging as I stared at her with bloodshot eyes. I was desperate for the truth but terrified to hear her admit it. If it really was her doing, what should I do?

Sophia placed the glass of water on the table beside my bed and looked at me calmly. “Joshua, if it were me, do you think the police would have let me go? Every action leaves a trace. Murder isn’t something that leaves no evidence.”

Her words sounded eerily familiar. They were exactly what I had been saying to her over and over again all these years, trying to convince her to believe.

I let out a bitter laugh, staring at Sophia. “You’ve got nothing to threaten me with anymore. I’m done donating blood to your lover, and I don’t want to be…”

“Nothing to threaten you with?” Sophia’s face darkened, her gaze ice-cold as she glared at me. “Joshua, I paid off your mother’s debts. You still owe me money! Now that her debts are settled, you think it’s all over? And what about Jayden? You think I won’t dare touch him? Let’s not forget Dr. Cowell, who played along with you to deceive me, or the hospital staff and the nurses who changed your medication. Joshua, don’t test my limits because I don’t know what I might do if you push me.”

To Sophia, I thought of her as someone who always acted unscrupulously and used ruthless tactics. Thus, if she didn’t say something to place me now, it would completely contradict my impression of her.

Sophia’s eyes were cold, her entire demeanor exuding a chilling air as she stared at me. I locked my gaze on hers. “We didn’t deceive you.”

“So what?” Sophia shot back indifferently. “Joshua, you know that money can solve most problems in this world. And for the ones it can’t solve, I’ll just use more money. If I’m willing to pay, there are plenty of people who will solve my problems for me. Don’t you think so?”

I took a deep breath, wanting to argue, but no words came out. How she meant every word she said. Suddenly, she smiled at me, her tone mocking. “Joshua, this hospital has a good reputation, but what do you think would happen if a few medical disputes were reported?”

I clenched my fists tightly, struggling to suppress the anger boiling inside me as I glared at the woman sitting beside my bed, but she remained unaffected, her smile only growing brighter. “See? You’re already letting me threaten you.”

I pressed my lips together and turned away, refusing to look at her anymore. I was letting her threaten me because I still cared. I didn’t want my choices to cause trouble for others. They hadn’t done anything wrong. They didn’t deserve this. If I could trade my remaining months for their safety, it was worth it.

Sophia waited for a long time, but when she didn’t hear me speak again, she knew I had given in. She picked up the glass of water and held it out to me. “Joshua, I’m not disgracing you. Stop saying things I don’t want to hear.”

I stayed silent, neither responding nor taking the glass from her hand. Sophia didn’t seem to mind. She smiled and put the glass back on the table. “Get some rest. I’ll come back tomorrow.”

As she was about to leave, a knock came from the door. The next moment, it opened. Jayden stepped in, his face full of concern as he looked at me. “Joshua, how are you?”

“He’s fine,” Sophia replied coldly, turning back to glance at me for a few seconds before looking at Jayden. “I have something to do. I’m leaving.”

Just as she was about to step out, Jayden called out, “Sophia, you should divorce him.”

Sophia paused, frowning in irritation. She turned to face Jayden. “Our marriage is none of your business.”

“Sophia, haven’t you hurt him enough? Look at what you’ve done to him!” Jayden’s anger boiled over as he stormed up to her. “All these years, he’s done nothing wrong, yet he’s endured so much humiliation. Isn’t it enough? He’s already lost everything. Just let him go!”

Sophia’s lips curled into a faint smile as she turned to look at him. “Why don’t you ask him if he’s really willing to divorce me?”