3
Just as I thought I was about to die, a furious roar cut through the chaos.
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‘Enough! Are you even human? I’ve never seen a man try to murder his own wife for some woman on the
side!” It was the rescue captain.
lay on the ground, a broken heap, and looked up at Julian’s enraged face. My own voice was flat, hollowe
but by despair.
Julian, just kill me. Then I’ll never have to see you again.”
For a split second, shock flashed in his eyes, quickly consumed by a fresh wave of fury.
He lunged, but the rescue team tackled him, restraining him as I turned my head away, tears finally blurrin
ny vision.
As darkness closed in, I heard his parting roar.
Are you insane? I knew it! I knew you were faking, you manipulative bitch! You’ve fooled everyone!”
You think I want to see you? Fine! Leave me! Let’s see how long it is before you come crawling back, begg
ig to be let back into the Wheeler family!”
A dull, throbbing pain in my heart pulled me back to consciousness.
My mind was still fuzzy, but I could hear the hushed chatter of nurses nearby.
Did you see Mr. Wheeler? The CEO of Wheeler Corporation? He and his wife are so in love.”
I know, right? He dotes on her completely. She just got a few scratches in the earthquake, but he’s bee
unning around, making sure everything is perfect, even feeding her medicine himself.”
I’m so jealous! He treats her like a princess. You just don’t find men like that anymore.”
opened my eyes, blinking at the sterile white ceiling. My hand instinctively went to my flat stomach.
didn’t need to ask. I knew. My baby was gone forever.
The pain had faded into a dull, consuming numbness. For the first time in my life, I truly craved the release o
death.
But fate wasn’t done with me. Sybil stormed into the room, her face a mask of smug triumph.
“Someone like you, competing with me? Don’t make me laugh. Julian will always love me best.” She leaned closer. “Compared to me, your life is worthless.”
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Her voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. “Oh, I almost forgot. During the earthquake? Julian was so worried you might hurt me that he personally pushed you out of the way.”
If I weren’t paralyzed in this bed, I would have lunged at her and torn her to pieces.
Sybil just laughed, a cruel, triumphant sound.
Suddenly, footsteps echoed in the hallway.
Sybil heard them too. A sly smile touched her lips. “Remember this, Rosalie. There’s only room for one wom an by Julian’s side.”
In a flash, she threw herself onto the floor, mussing her hair and forcing out desperate, gasping sobs.
“Rosalie, please! I’m begging you, don’t hurt me!”
The door flew open and Julian rushed in.
Without a word, without a moment’s hesitation, he strode to my bed and slapped me across the face.
“I knew it! I knew you were trying to hurt Sybil again! You venomous snake, aren’t you tired of this act?”
I couldn’t tell what hurt more-my cheek, my heart, or my broken body.
Every part of me was screaming in pain.
I looked up at him, my voice devoid of emotion. “I’m paralyzed. How, exactly, could I have hurt her?”
Julian’s brow furrowed for a second, before he grabbed me and yanked me out of the bed.
“You’re not done acting? What a performance! You’ve even got the hospital staff on your payroll. It seem marrying me has paid off quite well for you, hasn’t it?”
My body gave way and I collapsed onto the floor, my head striking the hard tile with a sickening crack. Blood began to well from a new cut.
But Julian just grabbed a fistful of my hair, forcing my head back so I had to look at him.
“Sybil is the victim here, because of you! Now you’re going to get on your knees and apologize!”
And with that, he tried to slam my head against the floor.
Chapter 2
Chapter 2
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