Chapter 4 Jump Off

I woke up in the hospital's corridor. There were no wards or beds for me. I was lying on a cold bench outside the emergency room, covered only by an old jacket a kind nurse had placed over me.

"You're awake." The janitor looked at me. "Your husband left after sending you here. Said he's going to OBGYN. Another pregnant woman was waiting for him."

I said nothing as I pushed myself back up. My stomach was still in pain, and I took my phone out. There was an unread message from the hospital staff.

"Due to his outstanding balance, George Birchwood's medication is cut off. His time of death is 2:14 AM. Cause of death: Heart failure. Family members are requested to assist with the necessary procedures as soon as possible."

My hand shook, and the phone fell to the ground. Two in the morning. At that time, I had been collapsing after drinking the liquor at the event.

Winston grabbed Jessica and left. He did not pay the bills. He threatened me with my father's life, made me bow, ruined my reputation, and watched him die.

Everything inside me turned cold. But not a single tear fell.

-

I saw Winston again in the hospital corridor.

Hurried, chaotic footsteps suddenly came from the corridor. A group of influencers and reporters came in, while Winston was shielding Jessica. Their cameras and phones turned to my face.

"Wendy, you faked coughing blood and pushed Jessica! She nearly had a miscarriage!" Winston stood in front of me, his voice stern and merciless. "Apologize to Jessica right now."

The reporters pointed fingers at me, but I ignored the noise and stared at Winston. "My dad died at two in the morning. You cut off his meds."

Winston frowned. "You're going to drag that out? I've checked the records. Don't try to get away from this with that excuse!"

Jessica leaned on his chest and said timidly, "You shouldn't use your father as a shield. Tell them you hurt me out of jealousy, and I won't sue you."

The cameras kept flashing. Everyone was forcing me to confess to crimes I had never committed. I stood up. Then I grabbed a phone from one of the reporters. It was livestreaming.

Winston's face fell, and he tried to take the phone back. "What are you doing?"

I turned around swiftly, shoved the emergency escape door open and locked it. Then I ran up the stairs all the way to the rooftop.

The wind was fierce. Cold air tore at my face as I stepped into the open. I walked to the edge and vaulted over the guardrail, then I stood atop the concrete platform that jutted out of the edge.

As I raised the phone high, I saw the comments calling me a murderer and madwoman. Then I spoke with a dead voice. "I'm Wendy Birchwood. My husband, Winston Lawson, did not die.

"Five years ago, he faked a car crash to escape our wedding so he could gain a death certificate through deception and transfer his assets."

The comments paused for a moment before they started coming in droves again. I continued, "Jessica Gold was my best friend. Five years ago, she got into a bionic suit and pretended to be our robot butler while having an affair with Winston under my nose.

"I didn't go mad. Last night, Winston threatened me to pull back his payment for my father's medical bills and forced me to confess my fake madness. Two in the morning, he cut off payments for my father, and my father died."

Behind me, the rooftop door crashed open. "Get down here, Wendy!" Winston's voice traveled across the metal, and it carried rage underneath.

I looked at the screen and said my last. "I'll jump off this building and prove my innocence. I request the police to investigate Winston's white-collar crime of faking his death and transferring his assets."

With a loud crash, Winston forced the door open and rushed onto the rooftop. When he saw where I stood, he froze.

Then, he reached out a hand. His voice trembled. "Stay there, Wendy. Don't move! Come down here, and I'll pay your father's bill right now! I'll take you to where he is!"

My father was dead, and still he was lying to me.

I looked at him, and I neither smiled nor cried. Then, I let go of my hand, and the phone fell to the ground. I arched my head back and fell backward.