Harley looked up. James stood in front of Quincy, shielding her. His tall figure cast a shadow over them, his handsome face cold, lips pressed tightly together, and his sharp eyes filled with something venomous. Quincy's face turned pale. "Harley, I didn't know this meant so much to you. If I had known, I wouldn't have torn it. I was just angry."
She softened her voice, her eyes turning red. "James, I didn't do it on purpose. I thought Harley felt the same way as I did."
Harley's heart ached unbearably. Anyone else in the world could misunderstand her father, but not her. It mattered more than anything. She gritted her teeth. "Stop pretending. This has nothing to do with you. You had no right to tear it apart!"
"She was wrong, huh?" James' voice was icy as he stared at her.
Harley met his gaze. There was no warmth in his expression, only chilling indifference. "Harley," his voice was even colder now, "How come you pity a drug dealer? That makes you just like him, disgusting."
James shoved her hand away. She stumbled back several steps, her waist slamming into the edge of the sink. A sharp pain shot through her, making her whole body tremble. James didn't spare her a second glance. He coldly took Quincy's hand and led her away. Quincy cast one last look at Harley, a triumphant smirk tugging at her lips before following him out.
Harley bent over, staring at the mess on the ground. Her eyes burned red, but the words James had just spoken pierced her deeper than anything else. Disgusting. Had it really come to this?
Her face turned even paler, her lips quivering. Then, her strength gave out. Her vision blurred, and she collapsed to the ground. Even as she fell, she still reached out, desperately gathering the torn fragments. She refused to let anyone tarnish her father's name. Then, her vision went black, and she lost consciousness.
When Harley woke up, she was already in the hospital. A doctor stood nearby, jotting down notes. She hurried to sit up and lay back down again. The doctor, a woman, looked at her with concern. "You're really pushing yourself to the limit. Your anemia is severe. Luckily, a kind person brought you here in time."
Harley lowered her gaze and said nothing.
"Where's your family? Do they know about your condition? You should call them."
Harley thought about James staying by Quincy's side. She didn't want to call anyone and cause unnecessary worry. "There's no need, doctor."
Sensing her reluctance, the doctor softened. "At the very least, you should get a full-body check-up. Women need to take better care of themselves." The doctor meant well, but Harley knew her own body. No amount of tests would change anything. The doctor wanted her to stay in the hospital for observation, but Harley left quietly.
By the time she got home, it was already late. The house was dark. She switched on the lights and immediately noticed the shoes by the entrance. James was home, and his suit jacket was casually draped over the sofa. She walked over expressionlessly, tidied his clothes, and hung them up. Then she went to the bedroom. James was already asleep. Well, it was their marriage. He never waited for her.
Noticing his furrowed brows and the way his blanket had slipped off, Harley moved closer. His face was sweaty, perhaps from the heat. She instinctively reached out to adjust his blanket.
