Chapter 2
"You must be out of your mind, trying to sneak your broke relatives in here to take advantage of the facilities," Mandy sneered.
Her face darkened as she barked, "What are you all standing around for? Mr. Lancaster will be here any minute for his inspection. If he sees this kind of filth in the ward, you can all kiss your jobs goodbye. Throw them out."
The security guards didn't hesitate. They rushed in all at once.
In the chaos, Paul's cane was knocked out of his hand. He clutched his chest, his face as pale as a sheet, his lips trembling uncontrollably.
"C-Caleb..." Paul stammered.
I tried desperately to shield them, but one of the bodyguards shoved me hard, sending me crashing into the wall. Stars exploded in my vision.
I could only watch helplessly as Paul and Mavis were dragged out onto the freezing, snow-swept terrace.
No matter how unloved I was, I was still Caleb's wife.
But here in this hospital, my words didn't even carry as much weight as Caleb's private doctor's.
"Mandy, you're going to regret this, I swear!" I screamed.
I tried to scramble to my feet, but Mandy crushed my hand under her heel.
The pointed stiletto stabbed into my flesh, making me wince in agony.
"Regret it?" Mandy said, bending down.
Her flawless makeup looked twisted and terrifying to me.
"Jocelyn, Mr. Lancaster told me long ago you're nothing but a gold-digging bitch who'll do anything for money. He said that as long as I don't kill you, I can handle you however I want."
She pressed her heel down even harder, tearing the skin on the back of my hand.
"So, tell me, if I help you deal with these bloodsucking relatives, do you think Mr. Lancaster will appreciate me even more?"
The terrace doors were thrown open, letting the biting wind and swirling snow rush inside.
Paul and Mavis, clad only in flimsy hospital gowns, were tossed out into the snow. Both of them let out muffled groans of pain as they hit the ground.
Mavis, always sensitive to the cold, huddled up in the freezing snow, trembling violently.
"Old mate, I'm cold. I'm so cold..." Mavis whispered to Paul.
Paul, fighting through the pain in his chest, desperately pulled Mavis into his arms, trying to warm her with what little body heat he could muster.
"Don't be scared. Caleb... Caleb will be here soon..." Paul whispered.
Seeing all this, my heart felt like it was being ripped apart.
They were Caleb's father and mother.
If anything happened to them today, Caleb would go crazy.
Just then, hurried footsteps echoed from the end of the hallway.
A group of doctors escorted Caleb down the hall.
He wore a crisp black suit, his expression icy and unreadable, giving off a vibe that warned everyone to stay away.
As soon as Mandy spotted Caleb, she yanked her heel off my hand and, in a split second, transformed into a pitiful damsel in distress. She darted over and practically flung herself into his arms.
"Mr. Lancaster, you're finally here."
Caleb frowned as he steadied Mandy, his gaze sweeping over the trashed ward before finally settling on my disheveled state. Disdain flashed in his eyes.
"What happened here? I told you to bring them in for a check-up. Why does it look like this?"
Caleb's tone was frigid, completely devoid of warmth.
Ignoring the searing pain in my hand, I scrambled over to him, pointing frantically toward the terrace.
"Caleb, hurry, save your parents. Mandy threw them out into the snow!" I shouted.
Caleb followed where I was pointing, but all he could see was a wall of swirling snow outside.
Before he could say a word, Mandy cut in, her voice thick with fake tears.
"Mr. Lancaster, please don't listen to Jocelyn. She brought her parents from the countryside and demanded to stay in your exclusive ward. She even wanted that 30-thousand-dollar miracle shot.
"I was just following your instructions to clear out the outsiders. Who would've thought Jocelyn would lie, claiming those two were your parents, just to help her poor relatives? She even tried to attack me."
Mandy lifted her perfectly unharmed hand and pretended to wipe away tears.
Caleb's expression instantly turned stormy.
Without even checking who was out on the terrace, he slammed his foot into me, sending me sprawling on the floor.
"Jocelyn, haven't I already given you enough chances?" Caleb sneered, looming over me.
He stared down at me like I was nothing but garbage.
"I don't care if you want to bail out your penniless parents, but you had no business targeting my private ward. And you shouldn't have cursed my parents for this measly benefit."
I clutched my aching belly where he'd kicked me, the pain so sharp it made cold sweat bead on my forehead.
"No, Caleb, please, you have to believe me. They're really your dad and mom. They came back early to surprise you. Just go see for yourself, I'm begging you," I pleaded desperately, grabbing onto his pant leg.
But Caleb just let out a cold, mocking laugh, like I'd told the most ridiculous joke ever.
"Surprise? It's more like a scare.
"My parents won't be back until next month. Are you trying to make a fool out of me?"