If I had heard these words in the past, my heart would have ached uncontrollably.
Now, however, I was already broken, so thoroughly that nothing could stir even the slightest ripple inside me.
Wiping away my tears, I said quietly, "Help me process the discharge papers."
My flight leaves in three hours.
If I left now, I would make it in time.
More importantly, the disastrous bond between Michael and me needed to end once and for all.
With trembling fingers, I took out my phone and sent him all the evidence proving Jenna had framed me, including the lab report on the ointment.
After sending everything, I changed into my clothes, settled into the wheelchair, and prepared to leave.
Just as I reached for the wheel, the ward door burst open.
Michael stormed in with a rigid, unreadable expression and seized the handles of my wheelchair.
My colleague, who had been restraining herself for days, finally snapped. "Mr. Floyd, you finally remembered Zoey. Do you have any idea what she—"
"I know," he cut in sharply.
Then, with a cold, curling smile, he slapped me across the face.
Lacking strength in my lower body to hold myself steady, I absorbed the full force of the blow.
I fell from the wheelchair as horrified gasps filled the room, my head hitting the floor and blood spreading beneath me.
Michael sneered down at me. "I saw the things you sent me."
Shakily, I pushed myself upright and stared at him. "Why?"
Tears blurred everything. The heaviness in my chest made it difficult to breathe.
"I almost believed you," he said slowly. "For a moment, I really thought Jenna had framed you. But then…"
He pulled a box of syphilis PEP medication from his pocket and threw it at my face.
"Jenna found this in your bag. So tell me, why would you have this?"
My eyes widened in horror.
"Mr. Floyd, you have misunderstood. That's—" My colleague's younger sister managed only a few words before Michael kicked her so violently that she collapsed, unable to speak.
When I saw him raise his foot again, I cried out and lunged forward, trying to shield her.
Michael showed no mercy.
He stomped on me several times, each strike landing directly on my fractured pelvis. Cold sweat drenched my body as darkness gathered at the edges of my vision.
He grabbed my chin and forced my face upward, his expression twisted with disgust and disappointment.
"Zoey, you hid it well. Pretending to be pure and noble, acting like you were above everyone. I chased you for a whole year, and you would not even let me touch you. I actually thought you were a decent woman."
His voice sharpened.
"But it turns out you are filthier than anyone, worse than women who sell themselves. I kept wondering how a bit of ointment could infect Jenna. Now I know. You smeared your own filthy disease onto her and infected her yourself. And then you tried to push her down the stairs and break her leg."
"I didn't," I forced the words through clenched teeth.
Looking up at him, I pleaded, "That medicine is—"
"Enough," he roared, cutting me off. "You still want to lie to me? I won't believe another word!"
He flung me aside like trash.
"I used to think you gave Jenna substandard medicine, faked her test results, and spread rumors just to get back at me for missing the engagement. I even felt soft-hearted and thought I would scare you a little to make Jenna feel better."
His voice dropped, chilling and final.
"But I never expected you to do something this vicious, something not even an animal would do. This time, I will not be forgiving."
Michael cast one last look at me before turning away.
"We are breaking off the engagement. I will never marry a poisonous woman like you."
I closed my eyes and whispered, "All right."
His fists tightened, and his voice sank into a cold growl.
"You think that is all? You think I would let you go that easily? Jenna said you need to experience her pain. The man who messaged about taking you is on his way. I will hand you over later."
