"Christy, I just wanted to share my birthday joy with you by offering you some cake. I know it was foolish of me to overstep my bounds by staying by Sawyer's side and making you angry, but the child is innocent! How could you push me on purpose just to vent your anger?"
I stared at her in disbelief.
"Christy Yale!" Sawyer's face darkened, his voice as cold as ice. "I told you, Rosalie is only bearing two children for me. She won't threaten your position as Mrs. Castillo. Can't you even tolerate that?"
"I didn't push her!" Suppressing the burning pain coursing through my body, I pointed to the surveillance camera at the corner of the staircase. "If you don't believe me, check the footage."
Seeing this, Rosalie immediately threw herself into his arms, clutching her stomach and wailing loudly. "Sawyer, my stomach hurts so much. Are we losing our baby?"
Sawyer frantically scooped her up, his face filled with panic and distress. As he passed me, he spotted the chestnut cake on the table.
He furrowed his brows. "Christy, you're not as understanding as you used to be. Since Rosalie kindly offered it and you won't eat it, I'll just have someone feed you."
He instructed the servants, "Watch Madam eat it all. Not a single bite should be left."
I struggled desperately. "Sawyer, you can't do this to me! I can't eat chestnuts."
The only response I got was the sight of him hastily walking away and the smug smile curling on Rosalie's lips.
My in-laws wanted nothing to do with me, quickly leading my little son away.
Several servants pinned me down, ignoring my severe burns and desperate pleas, forcing the cake into my mouth with brutal force.
Once outside the Castillos' residence, I could no longer hold myself together and collapsed to my knees.
I clawed at my throat, retching until my body convulsed.
I kept vomiting until the ground was covered in streaks of blood and then I swayed and collapsed by the roadside.
By the time passersby sent me to the hospital, I was already unconscious.
I heard the doctor's frantic shouts, "Quick, contact the family to sign the critical illness notice! The patient's somatization is severe."
"The patient can't breathe on her own."
As soon as the call connected, the nurse spoke urgently, "Sir, your wife's in critical condition. Please come to the city general hospit—"
A breathy moan on the other end cut her off.
The few people present exchanged glances. Along with their embarrassment, their gazes towards me held a hint of sympathy.
A few seconds later, a low, husky voice came through. "Rosalie already said she won't hold it against you. Why do you have to keep going on like this? Christy, I'm really disappointed in you."
"I already told you, there's nothing between me and Rosalie, but you insist on being suspicious. Since you're so convinced we're having an affair, then let it be as you wish!"
I heard a woman's coquettish giggle just before the line cut off. "Sawyer, be gentle. Don't hurt the baby."
The nurse wanted to say more, but the phone had already been hung up.
I forced a smile.
Then, I laughed.
Laughed until tears streamed down my face.
For five whole days, Sawyer never contacted me once.
Still, Rosalie added me on social media.
As if possessed, I clicked "accept."
Later, I saw her blatant flaunting on her feed.
Sawyer was kneeling on one knee, devoutly and dotingly kissing her pregnant belly.
The caption read: [True happiness is loving someone who loves you back.]
Below that was Sawyer's reply. [Running toward each other, heart to heart.]
I stared at that photo for a long time until my eyes burned.
While I was distracted, a familiar doctor passed by. It was Sawyer's attending physician.
He was also the one who diagnosed my husband's cancer.
When he recognized me, a guilty conscience flashed across his eyes.
I realized something was wrong and was about to ask.
He couldn't stand the condemnation of his conscience, so he took out a bank card and stuffed it into my hand. "Mrs. Castillo, I was blinded by greed and listened to Mr. Castillo's lies. These past few years, I haven't been able to eat or sleep peacefully. I deeply regret doing something that violated medical ethics. Mr. Castillo doesn't have cancer at all. I don't know why he insisted on deceiving only you. I'm returning the money to you. Please don't look for me again in the future."
