บททั้งหมดของ The CEO’s Wife Was Never Ordinary: บทที่ 11 - บทที่ 20

Joy sank against the cold tile wall, legs giving out completely, sliding down until she hit the floor.She pressed her head into her hands, fingers digging into her hair.How? I took the pill. I know I took itWhat kind of cruel joke is this."It's fake." Her lips trembled, the words barely more than breath. "It has to be fake."Cheap drugstore stock. Expired. Counterfeit. Something.Anything but real.She wrapped the test in layer after layer of tissue, buried it at the bottom of the trash bin, and tried to push herself up. Her legs wouldn't hold her.She forced a few deep breaths and pushed the stall door open.Someone walked in just then, and Joy dropped her eyes on instinct, hurrying to the sink like she'd been caught doing something wrong.She turned the tap, hands shaking too badly to control the flow.Scalding water hit her skin and she yanked her hand back the jolt, oddly, was what finally snapped her back into focus.Don't panic.She grabbed a paper towel, dried her hands fas

Joy slipped the coat off her shoulders, meaning to hand it back to the doctor.The doctor caught her hand quickly, palm warm against Joy's cold skin."I'm so sorry, Dr. Reeves..."Joy glanced down at the soaked, clearly expensive coat, guilt flooding through her. "I ruined it. Let me have it dry-cleaned and I'll return it.""Don't be silly, it's just fabric. Keep it on, you'll catch a chill." Naomi's voice was gentle. "Sweetheart, whatever's going on please take care of yourself."Joy's throat tightened. She murmured a soft thank-you, pulled the coat tighter around herself, and said goodbye.Watching her stumble off, unsteady on her feet, the elegant woman beside Naomi sighed."Such a pretty young thing. What kind of man does that to someone?"Naomi shook her head, eyes drifting back toward the lake. "No idea. I just hope she doesn't try anything like that again."Back at her building, Joy climbed to the fifth floor and spotted two familiar shapes waiting outside her door."Joy!"Seei

Not long after, the door to the private room swung open.A line of striking women filed in.Ethan looked them over, clearly pleased with himself.Every one of them wore a black blazer, black-rimmed glasses, some even clutching folders dressed, deliberately, to look like Joy.He grinned. "Well? I had this specially arranged dressed just like your Miss Bennett. Go on, don't just stand there, pour Mr. Cross a drink."One sauntered over to Nathaniel, perfume hitting him in a thick wave.She leaned in low, letting her blouse gape open, reaching for the glass in his hand."Mr. Cross, I'm here to keep you company..."Nathaniel's stomach turned.Misreading his silence, she leaned in further, hand still outstretched.Crack!The crystal glass shattered against the wall, wine running down the plaster like blood.Everyone froze, exchanging startled glances.Nathaniel lifted his head slowly, eyes bloodshot and dangerous, voice like ice."Touch me again, and you'll end up like that glass."The woma

The next morning.Joy helped her grandfather through admission and walked him to the ward.Walter eyed the hospital band on his wrist, brow furrowed, pulling back a step."Why do I need to be admitted for this? Isn't a checkup just blood work and an X-ray?""Grandpa." Joy turned with a bright smile. "It's the premium package from work full workup, top to bottom.""The doctor said some of the tests need observation time. Think of it like a hotel stay."She talked him through every step, coaxed him up and down the halls, floor by floor.Blood work. CT scan. MRI.He went along with all of it, obedient as a lamb.By midday, worn out from the fussing and the discomfort, Walter finally drifted off in his hospital bed.Joy watched his face settle into peaceful sleep, tucked the blanket over him, and slipped out toward the doctor's office."Doctor are the results in?" Her voice shook.He looked up, adjusted his glasses, expression grave."It's confirmed. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. An aggr

"Oh."Nathaniel let out a laugh that didn't come close to touching his eyes something cold and unsettling underneath it."Well done. Very capable of you."He tossed the report at her carelessly. The thin paper grazed her collarbone before fluttering to the floor."First try, even. Your body's certainly efficient."The words landed with deliberate cruelty, like she was nothing more than livestock that had performed as expected.Joy forced the last of her nerve into her voice, trembling. "One point five million."He closed the distance in a single step, his shadow swallowing her whole.His fingers closed around her chin, forcing her face up, gripping hard enough to bruise.He stared down at her pale, striking face, voice merciless."Get it done. Now."A long silence. Then she closed her eyes and whispered, barely audible. "Okay."Tears slid down without permission, dripping onto the back of his hand, scalding hot.Nathaniel recoiled like he'd touched something filthy, shoving her face a