The smell of disinfectant was cold and pungent.When Wendy opened her eyes,she felt her hand being tightly grasped.
Beside her,Michael’s eyes were red and his chin had a rare stubble.Seeing her awake,he immediately leaned forward.“Awake?How are you feeling?”
Wendy tried to pull her hand away,but failed.“Where are those people?”
“At the police station,awaiting your decision.”
Michael’s voice was slightly hoarse.He stood up and slowed down the drip.After a moment’s hesitation,he spoke.
“Wendy…those kids were indeed impulsive…”
“I won’t agree to a settlement.”Before he finished,Wendy interrupted him.
Every wound on her body still ached and he was actually thinking of helping Madison’s fans?
“I’m the one being cyberbullied and I’m the one lying in this hospital bed!Yes,Michael,I have no right to interfere in your affairs with Madison,but why should I be the one to pay for everything?”
Accumulated grievances overwhelmed her rationality,her voice trembling,tears streaming down her face.
A wave of guilt welled up in Michael and he pressed her into his arms.
“I’m sorry,I really didn’t hear your call then…”
“It doesn’t matter now,”Wendy suppressed a sob and whispered,“But those who hurt me must be punished.”
“Okay.”
“Michael!”
The ward door suddenly opened and Madison stood there,holding a bouquet of flowers.The smile on her face instantly faded when she saw the two hugging.
Michael’s arms stiffened,but he didn’t let go of Wendy,only nodding at her.
Her presence was like salt in a wound.Wendy frowned and said,“Please stay away from me.”
“Wendy,I’m sorry…”
Madison’s tears instantly burst forth,her expression even more heartbreaking than the person on the hospital bed.“They were wrong,but for my sake,could you please forgive them this time?I don’t want them to have a criminal record because of me!”
She looked at Michael mournfully,but for the first time,he ignored her.His voice was undeniably cold and unyielding.
“They’re your fans,but Wendy is my wife.There’s no need to discuss this matter.”
The air was silent.Madison took a few steps back in disbelief,then quickly turned and rushed out.
“Aren’t you going after her?”Wendy’s voice was calm.
Her appearance made Michael’s heart flutter.He placed a kiss on her forehead and said,“I’m not going anywhere.I’ll stay here to take care of you.”
The news quickly reported the punishment.A small number of online commentators expressed strong sympathy for Wendy,but the accusations of overreacting and claiming she deserved it continued to rage.
Michael kept his word.During her hospital stay,he made time to eat with her every day and his bedside was piled high with expensive supplements and items she’d casually mentioned.
However,no matter how attentive and gentle he was,Wendy remained indifferent,as if separated by a layer of invisible glass.
That day,just as Michael had left on the pretext of a photo shoot,Wendy opened her phone and saw another message from Madison.
In the photo,familiar,slender fingers held a gorgeous blue diamond necklace.
Madison’s every word pierced her heart:[Do you think Michael really chose you?After rejecting me that day,he was afraid I’d be angry,so he came to stay with me every day.He stayed much longer than at the hospital!]
Swiping up,she saw sunsets they’d enjoyed together at the beach,Michael personally cooking for her,countless priceless luxury goods...
But her heart had long been empty and seeing all this now didn’t seem as painful.
Wendy expressionlessly turned off the screen,the countdown in her heart turning another page.
The day she was discharged from the hospital,Michael came to pick her up.Unexpectedly,not long after she arrived home,Madison called,her voice thick with tears.
“Michael!Help me!I was drunk and secretly photographed and the paparazzi refused to buy out the photos.The photos…the photos have been released now!”
Michael’s expression suddenly changed and he quickly clicked on the notifications.
Topping the trending search list was a grainy photo of Madison being half-carried,half-hugged by a strange man as she walked into a hotel!
