Chapter 7

When Angela opened her eyes, she was lying in a hospital bed.

A nurse came in to change her dressings. When she saw Angela trying to sit up, she hurriedly went over to help her up.

"Your back is very badly injured and covered in tiny wounds. Your family members will need to help you apply the medication to them regularly, or they'll leave scars…"

Angela hesitated. Every move she made was extremely painful.

"I don't have a family anymore," she said softly.

Her parents had passed away 12 years ago. On their death anniversary, she would kneel before their grave and cry her eyes out, while Cathy would comfort her by her side and Daryl would hold a huge umbrella over them.

But now, even her found family was no longer by her side.

The door was pushed open, and Daryl rushed into the room, pulling her straight into his arms without another word.

"Those bodyguards are useless. I told them to keep an eye on you and not let you out of their sight. How could you be so disobedient, Angie?"

After a short pause, he explained, "Cathy has asthma and can't breathe in that smoke. You told me before that she was your family, so I had no choice but to save her first because of how dangerous the situation was. You're not hurt, are you?"

Angela had already given up all hope on him. She calmly pushed him off and said, "I'm fine. Go and take care of her."

"Wait, why are you so badly hurt?" Daryl finally saw all the cuts on her back, and his eyes widened in shock. He then demanded angrily, "Why didn't you tell me back there?"

Angela simply replied, "You already explained earlier that Cathy was injured worse than me. I understand."

Daryl panicked. Angela used to get jealous of other women in the past, but now, it seemed like she had put on an icy armor. She was so calm and collected to the point that it was making him feel uneasy.

"Angie," he said with a frown. "You didn't use to be like this."

A bitter smile appeared on Angela's lips. "You also didn't use to be like this, Daryl."

It was so tense and silent that one could hear a pin drop.

Daryl tried to rest a hand on her stomach, but she subtly avoided his touch. So, he awkwardly withdrew his hand and said, "Rest well for now. I'll go and make you your favorite stew. I can't let our baby go hungry. Remember, Angie, that no matter what happens, you're the only person I'll ever love.

"Oh, and by the way," he suddenly said, pausing at the door. "You might want to think of swapping out your bridesmaid for the wedding. Cathy's hurt. I've arranged for her to remain at the hospital."

Then, he turned to leave. At the same time, Cathy sent Angela a text message.

"You won. He got super pissed at me after learning that I was behind everything and threatened to send me abroad. I'll never appear in your lives again. Enjoy your life with him."

Angela's finger twitched numbly. She had never thought of winning anything from the very start. She'd already been eliminated from this three-person race before the game had even begun.

However, she just closed her eyes wearily and didn't bother replying.

…

When Angela was discharged, Daryl personally picked her up in his arms and took extremely good care of her.

The day before the wedding, Angela was brought to the wedding hall in the hotel ballroom for a final rehearsal. She knew what Daryl was capable of, and if she made a fuss about not attending it, he would bring her there against her will.

By the time they reached the hotel, Cathy was already waiting there for them in her bridesmaid dress.

Angela felt Daryl tightening his grip for just a split second when they saw her.

"What's the matter? Did I scare you?" Cathy asked, forcing a smile on her lips as she looked at them with reddened eyes. "I am your only bridesmaid, Angie. Of course I must witness your happy ending with my own eyes."

Daryl continued tightening his grip on Angela's hand until she gasped in pain.

The wedding planner went through with the wedding program with them and had Angela rehearse walking down the aisle. After everything was done, Daryl kissed her on the forehead with a tearful smile.

"I really can't wait to bring you home as my wife, Angie."

Cathy didn't say anything and trailed right behind them, her face pale. However, when she saw Daryl kissing Angie, she dropped the flower bouquet she was holding, drawing everyone's attention to her.

"Sorry," she said, biting her lower lip as tears welled in her eyes. "I'm not feeling well. I'm going to use the bathroom for a bit."

Daryl was distracted for the rest of the time as his phone buzzed incessantly in his pants pocket, threatening to shatter the peace.

He wouldn't stop frowning. Finally, he excused himself and answered the call from a faraway corner.

"What the hell do you want now? Are you done making a fuss?"

He cast an apologetic look at Angela and said, "Sorry, Angie. I need to take this work call. I'll be quick! Wait for me."

Angela nodded and waited for him to disappear before slowly making her way to the women's bathroom.

The flimsy door rattled hard against the lock, accompanied by suppressed moans and sobbing.

"You're driving me crazy, Cathy…"

"You're also driving me crazy, making me watch you both get married. Daryl, can you please not send me away? We can still go back to how things were. I promise I won't interfere in your lives again."

Daryl didn't reply. Instead, he just let out a low growl and answered her with his actions.

Angela felt the bile rising in her throat. Just as she was about to turn and leave, she heard a scream.

"Blood! I'm bleeding!"