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At night,when insomnia struck,she danced in my thoughts.I pounded my head,but she wouldn't leave.
Now,she stood before me,holding a bouquet of flowers.
I didn't know why she was here,so I stayed silent.
She was stunning,her beauty glowing like roses.
She glided over,placing the flowers on the bedside table.Their sharp scent hit me,and I turned away,frowning.
"I heard your condition's stabilized.Congrats."She flicked her hair,exuding effortless charm.
"Oh,you probably don't know me.I'm Olivia Grant."
"I've known Ethan forever. NowI finally got back to him,"her tone shifted,"so why are you standing between us?"
"I waited so long for him to propose,and you're still not dead!"
"Look at yourself!A toad in a muddy puddle looks better than you.Clinging to Ethan just because your dad runs the institute."
She raised her hand to slap me.
My father,always focused on the institute,was strict but never insulted me,let alone hit me.
I'd never been hit even once in my life—how dare she!
She'd said I didn't even know her,yet the first time she saw me she started telling me off.Who did she think she was?
Days of suppressed anger gave me strength.I sat up,blocked her hand,and pushed her back.She stumbled,losing balance.
"Olivia!"
The door swung open.Ethan rushed in,catching her,then slapped me hard.
"Olivia came to visit out of kindness,and you attacked her?Was your gentle,refined act all fake?"
His hand moved too fast.I fell back onto the bed,coughing.Blood dripped down onto the white sheets.
I stared down,unable to process the fact that Ethan had hit me.
His voice,tender and worried,echoed.
"Olivia,you okay?Not hurt,are you?"
"Why didn't you tell me you were coming?I should've come with you."
Chemo had left my body fragile.I couldn't prop myself up no matter how I tried.
I felt absurd,furious.
Who cared about her visit?I didn't know her.This wasn't a visit—it was a power play and plain humiliation.
Their cloying lovey-dovey voices buzzed like flies,but I lacked the strength to shoo them away.
I hated that I didn't just pass out.
Then another voice cut in.
"What's going on here?"
Hearing my father,I struggled to sit up,hiding the blood-stained sheets and propping my hand on my swollen face.
The two pulled apart.Ethan stepped in front of Olivia.
My father asked Ethan,"How's the lab report and paper coming?"
Ethan glanced at me,hesitating."Should be ready by Monday."
Satisfied,my father nodded,then eyed Olivia."The patient needs rest.Unrelated visitors shouldn't disturb her."
Olivia paled.Ethan shielded her further.
My father approached my bed."How are you?"
I forced some energy into myself."Fine.First chemo cycle's done.Should improve."
He frowned."You were reckless.A pregnant woman in that lab?Data monitoring isn't that critical.Now you're stuck here,and Ethan's left with a mess."
I knew the institute was his priority,but hearing his blame now,tears welled up.
I wanted to ask,Don't you know your daughter's dying,but you're upset she's delaying work?
"I’ve long told you that without health, nothing matters.Two months pregnant,and you didn't take care?"
Two months?Not less than one?
I looked at Ethan.A month ago,we had gone for a checkup.He picked up the report,saying we were both fine,so I didn't question it.
Was it missed then?If I had known I was pregnant,I'd have used the backup plan.
Why did he say it was only a month?
I couldn’t help doubt him,but it was his child too.Surely he wouldn't...
