Chapter 3

While we were arguing, Helena was successfully resuscitated.

The moment she saw me, she screamed and recoiled, as if I were some terrifying monster.

"Don't come near me! You've already leaked my photos! What more do you want? Get out! Get out!"

Mom and Dad immediately stepped between us, the wariness in their eyes piercing me like sharp blades.

A metallic taste rose in my throat.

"I didn't spread your intimate photos," I said in a low voice. "You don't believe me? You can call the cops and have them investigate."

As I spoke, I looked down and unlocked my phone. The next second, however, Gideon snatched it from me and smashed it to the floor.

"Isn't this enough of a mess for you?"

The sound of the phone shattering echoed down the hallway. Someone recognized me and secretly began filming me.

"So this is the infamous cheating-spouse catcher."

"She's actually quite pitiful. Her parents don't love or care about her. I also heard that on her wedding night, her new husband ditched her to go to a bar."

"Yeah, she chased after him in her wedding dress and even got into a fight with other people."

The hallway rang with stories of the stupid things I'd done in the past. My mind buzzed nonstop, and the memories of my wedding day seemed to appear before my eyes.

It had been a stormy night. Gideon had his arms around a long-haired woman, kissing her wantonly.

I charged at them, losing all sense of reason, and started fighting with them. But because I was outnumbered, I ended up pinned to the ground and beaten by the woman and her friends.

My pure white dress became utterly filthy and stained.

But Gideon just watched coldly, only casually stepping in to intervene once more people gathered.

"Go home. Don't embarrass yourself here," he said with disdain.

My thoughts snapped back to the present, and I found myself trembling uncontrollably. Clenching my numb hands, I frantically headed toward the exit.

But Gideon thought it was because I was feeling guilty. He grabbed me and pushed me toward the bed.

"Trying to run after doing something bad? Apologize right now!"

My knees hit the floor hard, and my face turned pale from the pain. I glanced at my parents for help, but they both averted their gazes.

My heart sank, and I forced a faint, bitter smile.

It was a good thing I had long since given up any hope for them. My only wish now was for the baby to be safe.

Helena watched me quietly, waiting for me to lose control and throw a fit like a lunatic—just like I had done all the times before.

But I simply, and calmly, accepted her slander. "I'm sorry, Helena."

Her expression stiffened, and she glared at me incredulously.

Gideon helped me to my feet.

"I'm very happy that you can admit your mistake," he said, ruffling my hair and looking pleased.

I barely reacted. Instead, I just said, "I have my eye on a bag. Can you buy it for me?"

Gideon blinked, frowning. He used to love using money to appease me, but now that I only had eyes for money, it made him oddly uncomfortable.

In the end, he still agreed to buy me the bag, though his expression did grow increasingly ugly.

Mom's eyes were filled with disapproval and disdain, as if to say I was still as uncouth as ever.

I ignored them. I just grabbed my bag, ready to leave.

Helena, however, suddenly ran up to me and hugged me as if we were loving sisters.

"I forgive you, Phee."

But before I could say anything, she suddenly fell butt-first onto the floor. She stared at me in terror, pleading, "Phee, don't hit me, please! I already promised you I wouldn't say anything."

The whole hospital room fell silent.

I approached her, completely baffled.

"What on earth are you talking about?"

Helena screamed even more shrilly as she burrowed straight into Gideon's arms. Shooting me a glance, he held her tightly.

"Don't be scared. Tell us everything you know."