Chapter 5
The rain was coming down in sheets.
My parents were worried sick about Emily's injury, so they decided to have her admitted to the hospital.
My mom sat by the hospital bed, peeling an apple for Emily. My dad bent over, adjusting the bed's angle, making sure she was comfortable.
Lucas stood by the floor-to-ceiling window.
He stared out at the pouring rain, silent the whole time.
Emily took a happy bite of her apple and glanced at Lucas's back.
"Lucas, you left her out on that abandoned road outside the city, didn't you?"
"That place is in the middle of nowhere. She'll be stuck out there in the pouring rain for at least two hours before she can even make it back."
She let out a smug little laugh.
"She should finally learn her lesson now. Let's see if she ever tries to mess with me again."
Lucas suddenly felt like something wasn't right.
He turned around and looked at Emily.
"Emily, you said you were just looking for something in her room, right?"
"So why did you trash her room? And even break her piggy bank?"
Emily's smile froze for a second—she clearly hadn't expected him to bring that up.
Her eyes darted nervously, then she turned to my mom and dad, putting on her most pitiful look.
"I was just curious about how much secret cash she was hiding. I had no idea she'd lose it like that—wrecking her own room and even pushing me to the floor."
"Lucas, you don't actually think I set her up, do you?"
My mom and dad immediately rushed to defend her.
"No way! Lucas, don't let your mind run wild."
"Emily's so kind—she'd never hurt Sophie. If anything, Sophie's the one who's always been a troublemaker. She grew up in the countryside, never learned any manners, and whenever she sees something nice, she just has to have it. She's always picking on Emily."
Lucas just listened and let it go.
He switched gears.
"When you get home, don't hit her anymore."
"After all this. Sophie should know better now. She won't mess with Emily again."
My parents didn't say anything, but that was as good as agreeing.
Just then, the doctor doing his rounds walked in.
He skillfully cleaned and changed the dressing on Emily's wound, reminding her as he worked.
"Try not to get the wound wet, and make sure to apply the medicine on time."
"Next time, Miss Grant, watch your step—don't end up on broken glass again."
Emily nodded.
My mom, standing nearby, snapped in a harsh tone.
"If that damn kid hadn't pushed Emily, how could she have gotten hurt?"
"It's all that jinx's fault!"
The doctor's pen froze mid-sentence when he heard that.
He adjusted his glasses, his voice suddenly serious.
"She was pushed?"
"Mrs. Grant, this injury didn't come from being pushed."
The doctor pointed at Emily's wound and said confidently.
"If someone gets shoved, they'd instinctively try to break their fall with their hands or knees—that's where you'd see the injuries."
"However, Miss Grant's wounds are mainly concentrated on the front of her body. She likely fell directly and was injured by debris on the ground. Moreover, if she had really been forcefully pushed, the wounds would not be this shallow."
The air in the room went dead silent.
Lucas whipped around, his eyes fixed on Emily.
Emily's eyes darted around in panic as she shrieked.
"Doctor, what are you talking about? She pushed me! It was Sophie!"
"It was Sophie!"
The doctor's frown deepened when he heard my name, as if he suddenly remembered something.
He turned to my parents, his tone sharp and confused.
"Sophie? She'd never do something like that."
"Actually, I was going to ask about this when I came in. Mr. Grant and Mrs. Grant. Sophie was diagnosed with progressive amnesia. She should've come in for a follow-up a few days ago."
"Where is she now?"
The doctor's voice grew more agitated, almost scolding.
"Her illness is way more serious than a few scrapes!"
"How can you not care at all as her parents?"
My parents were completely stunned.