As Dr. Huxley jotted down medical instructions, he glanced at the nurse and said to call my family.
The nurse hesitated before responding, "Doctor, her husband just left."
Those words made my heart lurch. I immediately stood and clarified, "That wasn’t my husband. He’s just a kind taxi driver who helped me. You’ve misunderstood."
Dr. Huxley frowned, his tone curious yet gentle. "Then where’s your husband? You’ve just undergone an abortion. Why isn’t he here with you?"
The memory of Maxton drinking with Priscilla flashed through my mind. My chest tightened and sorrow coated my voice as I replied, "My husband was arrested for committing a crime."
Dr. Huxley noticed the pain etched on my face and wisely chose not to probe further. Instead, he sighed softly and said, "Solana, no matter what storms life throws your way, you must prioritize your health."
Leaving the obstetrics ward, I collected my prescribed medicine and headed to the elevator. But when the doors slid open, my breath hitched. There they were, Maxton and Priscilla, entwined in a passionate kiss, oblivious to the world.
The sight made my stomach churn and I instinctively turned to walk away.
But Maxton caught sight of me. He quickly released Priscilla and reached out, his hand stretching toward me as if to pull me back.
Without hesitation, I pressed the elevator’s close button and clutched the medicine tightly, hurrying away before he could catch me.
As I descended the hospital stairwell, a sense of relief washed over me, thinking I had finally escaped those two scumbags.
But as I pushed open the door to the first-floor stairs, a force stronger than anything I’d expected yanked me out.
I looked up and froze. Maxton’s eyes met mine, filled with a searing rage that sent a chill down my spine.
"Solana, what’s your game? Why did you intentionally close the elevator door and let Priscilla get trapped in it?"
Before I could react, he shoved me hard against the wall, his hands wrapping around my throat, his grip tightening with each breath I struggled to take.
"I didn’t," I gasped, fighting with every ounce of my strength to pry his hands away. "I didn’t see her get trapped when I left."
"Still lying?" His voice was venomous and the fury in his eyes promised nothing short of punishment. "Today, I’ll teach you a lesson."
A sharp slap echoed in the stairwell, the impact sending a ringing shock through my skull. Blood began to trickle from the corner of my mouth, the metallic taste sharp on my tongue.
His face twisted in fury, his anger so raw I feared he might tear me apart.
"Maxton, it hurts..."
Priscilla’s voice, strained with pain, cut through the air.
Maxton immediately released me, rushing to her side, his voice soft as he checked her wounds.
"Maxton, look! I lost so much hair. You have to make her pay for this," Priscilla sobbed, her eyes shimmering with false tears as she looked to him for support.
He turned back to me, a sneer on his face. With deliberate cruelty, he stepped on my hand, grinding it beneath his shoe.
From above, he glared down at me, his words dripping with disdain. "Look at what you’ve caused, all because of your malice. How much pain has Priscilla suffered? Apologize to her."
I stared at Maxton, my voice sharp and defiant. "She only lost a few strands of hair. Is this how you're going to treat me?"
Priscilla, her eyes red and swollen, glared at me with a fury that stung. "Solana, I know you hate me, but I didn’t expect you to be so cruel. If Maxton hadn’t pulled me away, I would’ve been crushed by the elevator."
Their words stirred a crowd of onlookers and suddenly, the air was thick with accusations. People began pointing fingers, convinced I had intentionally trapped Priscilla in the elevator.
"This young woman is heartless! The elevator could’ve killed her!"
"They have no reason to be fighting, so why would she try to hurt anyone?"
"Exactly! The man’s doing the right thing. If his wife is being bullied, he has to teach her a lesson."
An older woman took Priscilla aside, her voice soft with reassurance. "Don’t worry, dear. With so many witnesses, we’ll make sure you get justice. This injustice won’t stand."
Maxton’s boot pressed down hard on my palm, his patience wearing thin. "Solana, why are you so stubborn? Everyone here is saying you’re in the wrong and you still won’t admit it?"
