Chapter 12

Hospital days were excruciatingly boring. Zayden usually took me for walks, but today, I bought roasted sweet potatoes at the hospital entrance. Returning to the ward, I found a crowd gathered outside. Zayden helped me inside. Isabel was there, an unexpected guest. Zayden gently helped me settle back onto the bed.

The girl looked at us and burst into tears. “Jacqueline, please stop clinging to Alvin just because you were adopted by the Horne family and grew up together! We were happy together; please don't break us apart! I truly love him, and unlike you, he's the only man in my life. From childhood to adulthood, I've only loved him. He's the only one for me. I beg you, Jacqueline.”

Her reddened eyes and disheveled hair gave her a fragile, aggrieved look, almost endearing. Zayden started to speak, but I stopped him. "I knew Alvin for sixteen years, dated him for ten, and we were supposed to get married."

"You don't have to pretend," I continued. "You've seen me, haven't you? Those videos and photos—they were sent to show me, weren't they? Now that you've succeeded, we've broken up. Your affairs are none of my concern. Don't appear before me again; it disgusts me."

She seemed unprepared for my composure. He stared blankly for a moment, then his expression hardened. "You had better walk the talk," he spat before leaving.

My wound throbbed, so I shifted position.

Chapter 12

Some gasped. "Don't overthink it; it's over," Zayden said, looking worried. I forced a smile. I thought it was over, too. Until… I received a bouquet of flowers. I assumed it was a gift from a friend and went to put them in a vase. As I opened it, a crimson liquid stained my eyes. It was blood. The flowers were nourished… by blood.

I froze. The metallic scent filled my nostrils as the flowers tumbled to the ground. Blood dripped from my fingers, drop by drop, the sound almost audible. Zayden entered to this horrific scene. He rushed to my side. "Jacqueline, where are you injured? Doctor! Doctor! Nurse!" He reached out hesitantly.

"It wasn't my blood," I croaked, slowly lifting my head. He looked at me deeply and gently embraced me. "Don't be afraid."

Zayden called the police. Hospital surveillance captured the delivery person fleeing. I only learned this the following day.

Chapter 12

Chapter 13