Just before I blacked out, I vaguely saw Carmen walk in. She rushed to Walter’s side, clutching his arm, her eyes wide with disbelief.
“I can’t believe Jada would poison Grandma. Maybe she just misunderstood us? Was this her way of… getting revenge?”
“Maybe when Grandma recovers, I should leave the country. I don’t want to come between you two.”
Walter rubbed his temples, tossed the iron aside, and touched Carmen’s forehead gently.
“This isn’t your fault, Carmen. That woman deceived me—I never saw her true face. The one who should leave is her, not you.”
“And you’re a doctor. Grandma’s life is in your hands. I promise you, once Grandma recovers, we’ll get married. Okay?”
Married?
He had once promised me—no matter what happened outside, he would never bring another woman into our lives. And now he was promising to marry someone else.
When I woke again, it was to a bucket of ice-cold water thrown over me.
Two bodyguards stood before me in suits, and between them sat Carmen, legs crossed, perched arrogantly on a chair.
“You’re awake? What a pity about that face. No wonder you managed to seduce Walter before.”
I stared up at her, my voice hoarse and pleading.
“Carmen, please call Walter. His grandmother’s poisoning wasn’t my doing. Let me out of here, please.”
The torture had nearly broken me earlier. All I wanted now was to clear my name.
Carmen looked at me like I was a dog begging its master.
“Give up. Even if you scream until your throat tears, Walter won’t let you out. I actually believe you didn’t poison Grandma—but Walter has already decided you did. Isn’t that pathetic?”
I crawled forward on my knees, clutching at her pant leg.
“I beg you! Let me see Walter. Please!”
Carmen stood and casually admired her manicure.
“Walter hates you now. If you confess to poisoning Grandma and bring me the antidote from your hometown, maybe I’ll put in a good word for you. Maybe he’ll even show you some mercy.”
“Because right now, his heart is completely with me. If I whisper one word against you, your next punishment will be worse than today’s.”
Confess? Why should I confess to something I didn’t do?
I was his fiancée. Why wouldn’t he believe me?
Tears blurred my vision as helpless rage swelled inside me.
I slammed my hand against the stool beside me.
“No! I didn’t do it! Tell Walter to investigate—or let me out, I’ll prove who the culprit is!”
Carmen laughed cruelly, dropping her mask of sweetness.
“You still think you’ll walk out of here? Even if you never confess, I’ll still marry Walter. The only one left by his side will be me. You’re just a mutt he’s grown tired of.”
She stepped back and gestured to the bodyguards.
“Have fun. Just don’t kill her—or Walter might be mad at me.”
