For days, Alexander not only avoided the hospital but also forbade the staff from assisting her or arranging any nurs- ing care until she admitted her fault.
Yet Shirley remained unfazed, eating and drinking as usual while counting down the days to her release.
Her only struggle was the broken leg–each trip to the bathroom meant hobbling along the wall for ages, leaving her drenched in sweat.
At night, sticky discomfort kept her awake, forcing her to wipe down with cold water in the restroom. But her feet slipped, sending her crashing onto the damp floor.
She struggled to rise, gasping for breath as fresh pain tore through her wounds.
Her shouts echoed unanswered through the empty ward.
Defeated, she lay limp like a stranded fish.
Only when a new nurse came for rounds was she helped up.
“You’re badly injured. Where’s your caregiver?”
Shirley tested, “Are you new here?”
“Yes. Mr. Williams brought his wife for prenatal care. The director personally received them, pulling all doctors and nurses away. I just started today, so I’m covering.” The nurse frowned at her reopened wounds. “I’ll notify your doc- tor.”
“Don’t-”
But the nurse darted off before Shirley could stop her.
Soon a doctor arrived to restitch her wounds. That nurse never reappeared.
Days later, Shirley learned she’d been fired.
Fists clenching at the collateral damage, Shirley dialed Alexander.
Before she could speak, his velvet voice filled the line: “…And the little duckling said-”
A child’s giggles chimed in as Rita’s voice cut through: “Rita? Alexander is telling our daughter a story. He can’t take calls now. Shall I relay a message?”
Rita’s lips pressed thin. “Mrs. Williams, that nurse was just doing her job. Punish me instead.”
After a calculated pause, Rita laughed lightly. “Very well. Kowtow to me here, and I’ll reinstate her.”
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Rita’s grip whitened around the phone. A barely audible “Fine” escaped her.
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Arriving at the villa, she found Rita lounging poolside, watching Alexander play with their daughter in a video.
Noticing Rita, Rita’s smile sharpened. “Heard about your fall. I meant to visit, but Alexander insisted I rest.”
She gagged delicately into her hand. “Apologies–morning sickness. Nothing helps, though he’s tried everything.”
Rita dug her nails into her palms, desperate to end this.
“I apologize, Mrs. Williams.”
Rising languidly, Rita tutted. “Without sincerity? Leave.”
Rita bit her lip bloody, defiance blazing in her eyes.
Then her knees thudded to the ground.
Three times she knocked her head against the tiles–each thump dimming her vision.
Shirley laughed coldly: “A country bumpkin who thinks she can turn into a phoenix just because she resembles me?”
She stood up, looking down at Shirley: “Without this face, your drunkard father would’ve sold you off long ago. A fake will always be a fake, forever beneath my feet.”
With that, she kicked the kneeling Rita into the pool.
Then leaped in after her.
“Help!
My baby-”
Rita flailed in the water, screaming desperately.
Alexander rushed over and dove in to rescue her.
Rita clung to Alexander, coughing violently: “Alexander… cough… Rita’s gone mad! She tried to drown me and our baby!”
“Why would you do this?!”
Alexander stared at Rita who’d swum ashore, disbelief in his eyes.
“I gave you all my love! Rita never competed with you, always yielded to you! Yet you can’t tolerate her or our child?
When did you become so vicious!”
Rita wiped the water from her face, remaining silent.
Explanations were pointless when he’d never believe her.
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Calmly approaching the couple, she suddenly kicked them both into the pool just as Alexander expected an apology.
Splash!
They plunged into the water, creating huge waves.
“Remember this. Not viciousness–an eye for an eye.”
Alexander hauled the flailing Rita ashore, glowering at Rita’s retreating figure.
His voice turned icy: “Guards! Rita’s insane. Take her to the Psychiatric Facility immediately.”
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