Chapter 5

After the gala ended, Daisy left the venue and drove away.

Her car had barely passed the intersection when the Maserati ahead of her suddenly swerved into her lane.

Daisy slammed on the brakes.

There was a deafening crash.

Her body lurched forward, and her forehead smashed into the steering wheel as darkness clouded her vision.

The Maserati came to a stop.

Julia stepped out, clutching her stomach. Her face was pale.

Dario walked out of a black SUV behind them and quickly walked over.

"Dario, she hit me." Julia leaned weakly against his chest. Her voice was trembling. "My stomach hurts so much."

Dario wrapped an arm tightly around her before looking up at Daisy.

Daisy got out of her car. Blood trickled down her forehead. There was an open wound on her elbow, and her entire body shook uncontrollably as she stood beside her car.

Dario spoke flatly. "Daisy, go to the hospital yourself and get treated."

With that, he helped Julia into the SUV.

The door was shut. Several black sedans followed close behind as the convoy sped toward the Verdant family's private hospital.

Daisy stood by the road and watched the cars disappear into the night.

She lifted a hand and tried to flag down help, but everything went black, and she collapsed onto the ground.

When she woke up again, all she saw was a white ceiling.

"Are you awake?" She heard a deep voice.

Daisy turned her head and saw Caleb Anderson sitting in a chair near the bed.

He had on a dark gray dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his forearms. His expression was calm and composed.

"You passed out by the road. Someone called an ambulance." He placed a medical report on the nightstand. "Mia's stuck in France and can't make it back in time, so she asked me to check on you."

Caleb glanced at Daisy. "You hit your head and were unconscious for three days. The doctor said the injuries weren't serious, but you need proper rest."

Daisy parted her lips, but no sound came out.

Caleb poured her a glass of water.

The ward door was suddenly opened. Dario walked in with Julia behind him.

The moment Dario saw Caleb, his gaze paused briefly before shifting back to Daisy. "You hit someone and still dared to pretend you were injured? Do you realize Julia almost miscarried?"

His gaze shifted to Caleb, and he smiled. "Who's this guy? Since when did you know him? Funny how I never heard about it."

Daisy tightened her grip on the blanket.

Caleb answered calmly, "I'm Caleb Anderson, Mia's brother. Daisy collapsed by the road, so I brought her to the hospital. There's nothing inappropriate between us."

Julia immediately spoke up. "Nothing inappropriate? She was unconscious for three days, and you stayed by her side for all three. You seem more concerned than her husband. Dario, does that seem appropriate to you?"

Caleb looked at her. "Julia, be mindful of what you say."

He then turned to face Dario. "Don Verdant, your wife was unconscious for three days. Why did you only come now?"

Dario's lips twitched a little. "Mr. Anderson, thank you for taking care of her these past few days. But now that I'm here, you can leave."

Caleb neither argued nor reacted. He simply nodded at Daisy before leaving the ward.

Once Caleb was gone, Dario wrapped an arm around Julia and left as well.

The ward fell completely silent.

Early the next morning, Caleb came again.

Daisy had just opened her mouth to greet him when her phone rang. It was Mia.

Mia sounded close to tears. "Daisy, are you feeling any better? Caleb told me everything. I was worried sick. Is Caleb there? I can't get back anytime soon, so I told him to take good care of you."

Caleb took the phone from Daisy and responded with a few words. He then hung up and placed it back on the nightstand.

Seeing that Daisy looked calmer, he nodded. "If you need anything, call me anytime."

With that, he turned around to leave. Just as he reached the door, he suddenly stopped and looked back at her. "Daisy, pull yourself together. Try to be happy."

Daisy looked at him and said softly, "Thank you."

Caleb said nothing else and closed the door behind him.

Over the next few days, Dario never appeared again. Only the maids came in on schedule to deliver meals. They kept their heads lowered the entire time. They were too afraid to say a single word to Daisy.

Whenever nobody was around, Daisy secretly retrieved the divorce agreement she had hidden away and repeatedly checked Dario's signature. As long as the documents were notarized, she would finally be free from this cage.

Leaning against the hospital bed, Daisy slowly closed her eyes. Her fingertips traced gently over Dario's signature.

'Just wait a little longer. You'll be free soon,' she thought to herself.

Dusk light slipped through the curtains. Even so, the ward was dim.

Daisy rested against the headboard with her eyes closed.

The door suddenly opened.

Julia walked in with a bouquet of flowers. "Daisy, you're awake? I bought you lilies," she said with a smile.

She set the flowers on the nightstand and pulled over a chair.

Daisy remained silent.

Julia stood up and walked to the window. She drew the curtains open.

"Dario said you'll be discharged the day after tomorrow." She spoke with her back facing Daisy. "I already had the maids move your belongings into the guest room. Since I'm pregnant, it's more convenient for me to stay in the master bedroom."

She turned around and added, "You don't mind, do you?"

Daisy's voice came out hoarse. "I do mind. That's my room."

Julia blinked innocently. "Yours? Mine? Aren't we all family?"

She lowered her voice as she looked down at Daisy. "The baby inside my stomach is the heir to the Verdant family. Daisy, what exactly do you still have left to compete with me?"

Daisy's nails dug into her palms as her eyes slowly welled up with tears.