“Anika, I know you’re upset,” he said, his tone sharp and cold. “But this time, you went too far. I can’t keep spoiling you.”
I let out a bitter laugh. “Spoiling me? Wilbert, did you even bother to find out the truth?”
He wasn’t expecting me to snap back. His face darkened instantly. “You know what you did. I’m not here to fight with you. I came to tell you the solution. Because of your tantrums, Nivianne’s reputation is ruined. When you leave the hospital, you will host a banquet and apologize to her publicly. You will admit the rumors were your mistake and you will restore her standing. As for your father, his state will be explained as a normal risk of brain aneurysm surgery.”
For a moment, I thought I misheard. Then I saw his expression. He meant every word.
“Are you insane?” My voice cracked. “My father is like this because of her, and you want me to save her name?”
His eyes hardened. “Enough. I’m not asking you. This is what you will do. And don’t forget, your father is still on the edge of life, and your brother is rotting in prison.”
My heart went ice cold. It was always like this. No matter how much I wanted to resist, he reminded me of the chains around me. My father. My brother. I had no choice. I swallowed my anger and closed my eyes. “Fine. I’ll do it. But you get my brother out first.”
He hesitated only a moment before nodding. “One month. That’s your deadline.”
I agreed.
.....
When the day came, his driver picked me up. Wilbert walked into the venue with Nivianne on his arm, never leaving her side. He didn’t have to say anything. His eyes ordered me around like I was nothing but his servant.
I clenched my fists and walked onto the stage, forcing my face to stay calm. “I’m here today to apologize to Dr. Nivianne Sloane. What I said before online was a misunderstanding. I’m sorry for the damage I caused.”
The whole hall erupted.
“The nerve of her, smearing a doctor’s name like that.”
“So it was all a lie? I knew she just wanted attention.”
“Poor Dr. Sloane, having to endure this kind of slander.”
“Imagine the shame—dragging herself up here just to beg forgiveness.”
“Wilbert must be furious. No wonder he replaced her.”
People whispered, pointed, accused me of smearing her name. I didn’t explain. I couldn’t. I just wanted to get it over with and leave.
But as I stepped off the stage, Nivianne’s syrupy voice followed me. “Anika, I left something in the car. Can you fetch it for me?”
“No,” I said flatly. “Ask the waiter.”
She put on that fake pout and clung to Wilbert’s arm. “But I trust Anika more. Only she can handle my things.”
Wilbert stroked her hand and looked at me with that same commanding stare. I already knew what it meant. Refuse, and I’d pay for it later.
So I turned and walked out.
.....
The air outside felt heavier than the hall. I barely made it to the car before the roar of an engine cut through the night. A car screeched to a stop right in front of me, and before I could even take a step back, the door flew open.
A man in black rushed at me, his eyes cold and hateful. My heart dropped into my stomach. I tried to run, but he yanked my hair back so hard I nearly fell. His hand cracked across my face, the sting sending my vision sideways.
“Who are you?!” My voice cracked and I tasted blood in my mouth. “There are cameras everywhere. Do you really dare to touch me here?”
The man in black only sneered. His eyes were cold and empty. “I’m the one sent to teach you a lesson. You offended Miss Sloane. Just being touched is too easy for you. You should be dead.”
He yanked my hair and smashed my head into the car window.
“Ahhh!”
Glass shattered and I felt warm blood sliding down my face. He slammed me again and again until the window was painted red with my blood. My head spun and I couldn’t even fight back because he was too strong.
“Help… someone help me…” My voice broke into sobs. The air was silent except for the sound of my crying. Blood stung my eyes and my body was limp. Just when I thought this was the end, he finally let me go. I collapsed onto the ground like trash.
The car headlights came on and the engine roared. My chest tightened when I realized they were going to run me over.
“Stop!”
A figure rushed toward me, but before I could see who it was, the darkness swallowed me whole.
When I opened my eyes again, I smelled disinfectant. My head was wrapped in bandages and every breath felt like needles in my chest. The pain was unbearable.
“Anika, you’re awake.”
It was Wilbert. His face looked tired and pale, with dark circles under his eyes. He let out a long sigh of relief when he saw me conscious.
“It’s alright now. I found out what happened. It was a medical disturbance. They thought you were Nivianne. I already sent them to prison. You don’t need to be scared anymore.”
His voice was soft, almost tender, and it made me sick.
“Does your head still hurt? Try moving a little. Tell me if anything feels wrong.”
His phone rang. I knew that ringtone. It was Nivianne. He ignored it for once, and instead he held my hand tightly like I was something precious.
I tried to pull away but he wouldn’t let go.
“Wilbert,” I whispered, “if I told you I heard that man say he was following Nivianne’s orders… would you believe me?”
He froze, then frowned, and finally let go of my hand. His voice turned cold. “Anika, stop it. You’re imagining things. Nivianne is a victim too. If it weren’t for you, she would be the one in this bed right now. How could she be behind this?”
I let out a bitter laugh. My eyelashes trembled as I turned away from him. I didn’t even have the strength to argue. What was the point? He never believed me.
I closed my eyes, too tired to keep fighting.
“I know you’re upset with her,” Wilbert said softly. He brushed his hand through my hair like he was soothing me. “I promise, once everything settles down, I’ll keep less contact with her. Just trust me.”
He stayed beside me all night, whispering sweet words like before, as if that could erase everything. But I only stared at him with empty eyes.
My heart felt cold. Because I knew he was lying. He would never leave Nivianne.
And outside my door, I didn’t know that she was already on her way to find him.
.....
Hours later...
I was still asleep when the door slammed open and I was yanked straight out of bed. My body was weak and my head spun.
“Where’s Nivianne? What did you do with her?!” Wilbert’s voice was sharp and full of rage.
