Iris’s POV
The nearest hospital belonged to the Dempseys.
The attending doctor looked at the bullet graze on my shoulder, hesitation written all over his face.
“Ma’am… Mr. Dempsey arrived before you. He’s already called all the medical staff over. He wants a full-body checkup done for another woman.”
“Where is he?”
Actually, I already knew.
After the doctor pointed it out, I walked straight to the exam room.
“Marty,” my voice came out tight, strained, “giving her jewelry wasn’t enough for you? You had to throw in my life, too?”
He turned around at the sound of my voice. His eyes flicked over my pale face, drained from pain, and something like discomfort flashed across his expression.
“Iris, pushing you at the bar… That was my fault. But Madz’s a dancer. She can’t have scars on her body.”
“And besides, I calculated it. That bullet wouldn’t have killed you.”
“And what if it did?” I let out a cold laugh. “Marty, all these years, did you ever give a single damn about me?”
His brows pulled together. The arm he had around Madisen loosened slightly.
“So you’re Mrs. Dempsey.” Madisen stepped away from him, lifting her gaze to meet mine. “He saved my life today. I’m grateful for that. But I have zero interest in getting involved in whatever this is between you two. He’s the one who keeps chasing me. Maybe you should keep your husband in check.”
She looked at him, saying, “Mr. Dempsey, I’m not doing the exam. And I won’t be seeing you again.”
She turned to leave after that. But Marty immediately grabbed her, then scooped her up into his arms.
“Iris, you’ve gone too far,” he hissed, glaring at me. “There is no ‘what if.’ You’re perfectly fine right now. You even have the energy to stand here and give Madz a hard time.”
I stood there like stone, cold seeping into my bones.
Just like that, he turned to leave. Instinctively, I reached out to grab him, but he shoved me off, irritation clear on his face.
“Enough! Jeez, Iris, when did you become this unreasonable?”
“It’s just a flesh wound! A few stitches and you’ll be fine. If you’re that worried about scars, I’ll pay for the best damn cosmetic treatment!”
“But didn’t you see how badly Madz was shaken? Psychological trauma can affect someone for the rest of their life, you know.”
“I need you to understand me and be mature about this. Stop making everything about relationship shits right now!”
The force hit hard. My lower abdomen slammed hard against the edge of the table. In an instant, pain exploded through me, dropping me to the floor.
The medical staff who saw it rushed over with a wheelchair, but Marty snatched it first.
“Who are you trying to fool? Madz’s legs are weak from fear and she can still walk. You’re not that fragile.”
Just like that, he pushed her out and left me behind.
My colleague finally arrived, helping me up. By the time I forced myself into the exam room, cold sweat was soaking my back.
“I-Iris… Blood! There’s so much blood!”
Her voice shook. I looked down and saw the blood pouring down my legs.
The pain in my shoulder and my abdomen hit me all at once. I couldn’t hold on anymore. Next thing I knew, my vision went black.
When I woke up, the attending doctor stood in front of me, guilt written all over his face.
“Mrs. Dempsey… you were two weeks pregnant. But now…” he began.
Then, he quickly added, “Your body is not in a good condition to begin with. The pregnancy wasn’t stable and with the impact earlier… I’m afraid… it just wasn’t meant to be. Don’t worry, you and your husband can still have children in the future.”
Tears spilled out before I could stop them. My whole body started shaking.
Maybe it’s better this way. After all, there is no future between me and Marty.
“Doctor.” I wiped my tears and stopped him before he left. “Please don’t tell him about this.”
He looked surprised for a moment, then sighed and nodded.
“I understand. You’re worried he’ll feel guilty, that it’ll hurt him if he finds out.”
I just smiled. I didn’t say a word. After he left, I picked up my phone and called HR to process my resignation.
Then, just as I expected, Dad called.
“I agree to your terms. The fifty million advance has already been wired to your account.”
I checked the transfer right away. “The remaining half? You give it to me on the wedding day. Or there is no wedding.”
“Iris. Do you really have to be this calculative?” His voice sounded tired. “You’re my only daughter.”
“Well, my mom wasn’t your only wife,” I shot back bluntly. “Don’t forget: you had another child, too. Your affair was what got him killed.”
I hung up. Then, I transferred the fifty million straight to the care facility I had already arranged.
There’s only one week left before the arranged marriage.
Anyone who doesn’t love me? I don’t give a shit about them anymore.
