All Chapters of HE MARRIED ME FOR REVENGE : Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

The doctor stepped through the swinging doors of the emergency unit, mask dangling from one ear, eyes heavy with the kind of exhaustion that came from delivering bad news. Olivia was already moving toward him before her mother could stop her. “Doctor…” Her voice cracked. She swallowed hard and forced the words out. “My father… is he okay?” The man removed his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose. The fluorescent lights above them hummed, cold and indifferent. “Mr. Carter suffered a massive myocardial infarction,” he said carefully. “A severe heart attack brought on by extreme emotional stress. We managed to stabilize him, but his condition remains critical. The next twenty-four hours will determine everything. If his heart fails again…” He paused, choosing his words with professional restraint. “There may be very little more we can do.” Olivia’s legs buckled. The polished hospital floor seemed to tilt beneath her. Her mother caught her under the arms, holding her upright

Olivia stared at the sealed envelope in her hands. Her father’s handwriting steady, familiar, slightly slanted made her fingers tremble. Across the front, in clear black ink, were the words that had already begun to change everything: “The truth about the Ashford family.” Through the glass of the ICU window, Richard slept under the soft glow of the monitors. His chest rose and fell in a fragile rhythm. The sight of him so still made the envelope feel heavier. Her mother appeared at her side, eyes red from exhausted tears. She noticed the paper immediately. “What is that?” Olivia kept her voice low. “Dad wanted me to have it. The nurse said he asked her to give it to me only if something happened.” Her mother’s face drained of color. Fear, not curiosity, tightened her features. “Don’t open it.” Olivia turned fully toward her. “Why?” For a long moment her mother said nothing. Then, almost in a whisper, she answered, “Because that truth nearly destroyed both families

Olivia remained beside Richard’s bed long after the others had left. The room was quiet except for the soft, steady rhythm of the monitors. She looked down at the small silver key resting in her palm, then carefully slipped it into her handbag beside the still-sealed envelope. Richard watched her with tired eyes. He noticed the slight tremor in her hands. “You’re stronger than you think,” he said gently. Olivia forced a smile, refusing to let the tears fall while he was watching. “You’re going to recover. We’ll go home together. You’ll sit in your old chair and complain about the tea being too strong, just like always.” Richard smiled, but sadness lingered behind it. He knew there was a chance he would never leave this hospital. Before the nurse returned, he spoke quietly. “Whatever happens… don’t let anger become your home.” Olivia nodded. “I promise.” She leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to his forehead, then stepped outside so the nurses could continue his t

Olivia’s heart raced as she emptied her handbag onto the hospital floor. Wallet, phone, tissues, the sealed envelope everything spilled out in a scattered heap. The silver key was nowhere among them. Her phone buzzed again. The unknown number sent another message: “Some doors should never be opened.” She looked up and down the corridor. People walked past as if nothing were wrong. No one glanced her way. Then she checked the small, rarely used zippered pocket along the inner seam of the bag. The silver key was there. She knew with certainty she had not placed it in that pocket. Someone had accessed her bag. Someone wanted her to understand that they could reach her whenever they chose. A doctor stepped out of Richard’s room a short time later. “He’s awake.” Olivia ran inside. Richard was conscious, but extremely weak. His voice was barely more than a whisper. The doctor allowed them only a few minutes. Olivia took his hand carefully. “I found the key.” Relief