Chapter 5

When Tanya opened her eyes again, she was in the hospital.

Bandages covered much of her body. She had stitches in her forehead, and one hand was in a cast.

She stared up at the white ceiling, the sharp smell of antiseptic filling her nose.

Then she saw Preston.

Liam.

And Sylvia.

Sylvia's eyes were red, as though she'd been crying. The moment she saw Tanya was awake, guilt and concern flooded her face.

“Tanya, you're finally awake! Thank God! I'm so sorry. This is all my fault. I should've kept a better eye on Rachel and the others. I already gave them hell for what they did, and they promised they'd never treat you like that again. Please don't be mad at me. Just focus on getting better, okay?”

Preston stepped closer and took Tanya's uninjured hand.

His brow was furrowed with concern.

“Tanya, how do you feel? Does anything else hurt? The doctor said your left leg is broken, you have a cracked rib, and you've got bruising all over.”

His expression darkened with guilt.

“This is my fault. I should've protected you.”

Liam leaned against the wall with his hands in his pockets, looking as casual as ever, though his voice was unusually serious.

“Tanya, what happened was an accident. The driver who hit you has already been arrested for drunk driving. He'll face whatever charges are coming to him. As for those women, Sylvia will make sure there are consequences.”

One after another, they spoke with such convincing sincerity.

Every expression was perfect.

Anyone watching would have thought they genuinely cared about her and were furious over what had happened.

But Tanya knew better.

Looking at the carefully manufactured concern in their eyes sent a chill straight through her.

She said nothing.

She simply pulled her hand out of Preston's.

He paused but didn't seem to think much of it.

“Get some rest. Don't think about anything else right now.”

Just then, Preston's and Liam's phones rang almost simultaneously.

They answered.

After listening for a moment, both men's expressions turned serious.

Sylvia immediately spoke up.

“Preston, Liam, if something came up at work, you should go take care of it. I'll stay with Tanya. I'll make sure she's okay.”

Preston looked at Tanya, who had closed her eyes and fallen silent, then at Sylvia.

Finally, he nodded.

“All right. Sylvia, take care of Tanya for me. I'll come back as soon as I've dealt with this.”

He and Liam hurried out.

Only Tanya and Sylvia remained in the room.

At first, Sylvia played the attentive caregiver perfectly.

She cut up fruit for her.

Adjusted her blankets.

Spoke in a soft, gentle voice.

She played the part of the perfect, gracious socialite.

Tanya kept her eyes closed and ignored her.

After a while, Sylvia stood up.

Tanya heard water being poured.

Then Sylvia's footsteps approached the bed again.

“Tanya, have some water.”

“No. I'm not thirsty.”

Tanya's voice was hoarse.

The gentle smile slowly disappeared from Sylvia's face.

She looked down at the cup of steaming water in her hand, then back at Tanya.

A cruel smile curled her lips.

“But I've already poured it. It'll get cold if you don't drink it.”

Before Tanya could react, Sylvia tipped the entire cup of scalding water directly over Tanya's bandaged left hand.

“Ah!”

The scalding water soaked through the bandages and hit the wounds beneath.

Agonizing pain tore through Tanya.

She screamed, her entire body convulsing as her face went deathly pale.

Sylvia stood there holding the empty cup.

She looked almost triumphant.

Her eyes were filled with vicious satisfaction.

“Tanya, you really think Preston loves you? Keep dreaming! Preston and I grew up together. We have years of history. You really think some woman who came out of nowhere could ever compete with that?”

Her expression twisted.

“Sooner or later, he'll get rid of you and come back to me!”

Then Sylvia grabbed the kettle beside her.

There was still hot water inside.

And from the look on her face, she intended to pour the rest over Tanya.

Tanya stared at the steaming kettle.

Then at the undisguised malice in Sylvia's eyes.

Her survival instinct took over.

With the only arm she could still move properly, Tanya swung out and shoved Sylvia's arm as hard as she could.

Sylvia clearly hadn't expected someone so badly injured to fight back.

Caught off guard, she stumbled several steps backward.

Her foot slipped.

She crashed hard onto the floor.

The kettle flew from her hand and hit the ground, sending hot water splashing everywhere.

“Ah!”

Sylvia cried out in pain.

She seemed to have fallen hard.

At that exact moment, the hospital room door flew open.

Preston and Liam had come back for something they'd forgotten.

Both men froze at the scene in front of them.

“Sylvia!”

Liam's expression changed instantly.

He was the first to rush over and help her up.

“Are you okay? Where did you hurt yourself?”

Preston quickly came over as well.

“What happened?”

Sylvia leaned against Liam.

Tears immediately filled her eyes.

She pointed at Tanya, looking both hurt and furious.

“Preston! Liam! I was only trying to get her some water. She complained that it was too hot, so I told her I'd let it cool down for her. Then she suddenly lost her temper and shoved me!”

She held out her hand.

“Look! My hand is all red from the hot water! And she pushed me onto the floor. My back hurts so much.”

She had completely twisted the truth and made herself the victim.

Tanya trembled with rage.

Her burned hand hurt so badly that cold sweat covered her body.

She wanted to explain.

But when she saw the cold scrutiny in Preston's eyes, she knew there was no point.

He wouldn't believe her.

Then she remembered.

A moment earlier, afraid Sylvia might try something, Tanya had secretly started recording on her phone and left it beside her pillow, with the camera pointed directly at them.

Forcing herself through the pain, Tanya reached beneath the pillow with her trembling right hand and pulled out her phone.

She found the recording and pressed play.

Then she turned the screen toward Preston and Liam.

The video showed everything.

Sylvia deliberately pouring scalding water over Tanya's injured hand.

The vicious things she'd said afterward.

And Tanya finally shoving her away only when Sylvia tried to pour the rest of the hot water over her.

By the time the video ended, Preston's expression had turned terrifyingly cold.

He looked at Sylvia, who was still sniffling in Liam's arms.

“Sylvia.”

His voice was like ice.

“Explain.”

The color drained from Sylvia's face when she realized everything had been recorded.

But a second later, she lifted her chin defiantly.

“Explain? What's there to explain?”

She glared at Preston.

“Preston Hayes, you and I used to love each other! So why are you with a woman like her now?”

Her voice rose sharply.

“Don't you think you owe me an explanation?”