Before leaving, I visited the orphanage to see the director, Ellen Norris, and the children there.
I only mentioned that I was leaving, without saying a word about Jake.
Yet, Ellen saw right through my facade and asked with concern, "Are you okay? Did something happen?"
Her words caught me off guard, and I almost burst into tears.
In fact, I wanted to make a scene, but I was timid, as I grew up in an environment without support.
Moreover, if I fell out with Jake, he could withdraw his investment in the orphanage at any time.
I couldn't say anything.
Ellen gently patted the back of my hand and said, "Take care of yourself. If anything happens, you can come back as you want."
As soon as she finished, she looked behind me, and her smile vanished instantly. "What are you doing here?"
Freda entered in high heels. Her red lips were perfectly made up, and she was dressed head-to-toe in designer labels.
She said with disdain, "I just wanted to see how miserable you are."
I clenched my fists and stood up. "Get out. You're not welcome here."
"Molly, you haven't changed at all over these years. You are still a coward." She raised her eyebrows and continued, "I took your husband from you, and you don't even say anything."
"I've already given you my bone marrow. What more do you want?"
"So you do know the truth." She feigned surprise and tossed a document from her handbag. "But what can you do? My bone marrow is perfectly fine."
I was stunned as I picked up the medical report.
The results were clear that everything was fine.
"I told a casual lie, and Jake set up a trap for you for ten years. What do you have to compete with me?" She chuckled softly.
A chill ran through me, and my fingers turned pale from clenching them. "Why are you doing this?"
"Why?" Freda's smile was venomous. "Because I hate you. Why did you meddle and save me back then? If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have had to suffer so much here."
Her words reminded me of what had happened twenty years ago.
Freda's original family was a nightmare. Her mother worked at nightclubs and was seldom home. Her father was buried in debt and addicted to gambling. She grew up going hungry and getting beaten.
That day, she had been beaten so badly that she dragged her bleeding leg and fainted at the orphanage gate.
When I found her while cleaning the yard, I was scared and called Ellen. The latter brought her in.
Ellen took her to various doctors and managed to save her life.
I thought I had helped her, but I hadn't realized that I had pulled her into another hell.
Being fragile and marked by past trauma, she was soon ostracized by other children in the orphanage.
In fact, even in an orphanage, there would be bullying.
Although I tried my best to protect her, there were always times I couldn't.
Other children spat in her food, poured filth on her while she bathed, cut up her few clothes, framed her for theft, and even cornered her to break her hands...
She was taken away as an adult later, and I hadn't seen her since.
I never imagined that my act of kindness back then would lead to a decade-long revenge.
"I originally planned to let you die on the operating table, but you have such a tough life." Freda admired her freshly done nails and said, "Since you're not dead, hurry up and leave. Stop bothering me and Jake."
She stepped closer and threatened me. "Otherwise, I'll have him pull the funding, and everyone here will be out on the street."
My eyes widened sharply, and I grabbed her collar. "Are you insane? You grew up here, too. Those who bullied you were sent to juvenile detention by Ellen long ago. These kids now are innocent."
She shoved me away, and her eyes were red with rage. "So what? Does that erase the pain I suffered? It's all your fault for being kind and saving me."
She pointed at Ellen and said in a sharp voice, "And you are an old fool. You couldn't even get justice for me. What's the point of your living? You might as well be dead."
I slapped Freda hard across the face.
Just then, Jake opened the door and walked in.
