Chapter 5
Roderick stumbled back into June's hospital room.
June was on the phone and didn't notice him come in.
Her voice was dripping with sweetness.
She said in Dommorzinnian, "Baby, I got it. I'll be back soon.
"Love you, bye."
As soon as she saw Roderick, June hurriedly put her phone away, looking flustered.
She asked, "Roderick, you're back already? Did you find Samantha?"
It was clear June had been chatting with one of her side guys. She definitely hadn't expected Roderick to show up so soon.
Roderick gave a faint smirk. "She's dead..."
June paused for a moment, but there wasn't a hint of surprise on her face. She'd known about my heart condition from the start. That was why she framed me deliberately, so I'd have an episode.
But I bet June didn't care about any of that. What she really worried about was whether Roderick had overheard her little secret on the phone.
June grabbed Roderick's arm, trying to comfort him.
She said, "Samantha really is something else. She never cared about her own health, and she went and died out of spite, just to make you feel guilty."
Roderick stiffened for a second, then subtly pulled his hand away and stood up.
He said, "I'm heading out. If you need anything, just ask the nurse."
June was pleasantly surprised. Since Roderick hadn't called her out, maybe he hadn't understood what she was saying after all.
Just as he reached the door, Roderick suddenly turned back.
He said, "I understand Dommorzinnian."
The door closed behind him, and June just stood there, frozen in place.
Roderick didn't actually leave. He stood guard right outside my mom's operating room.
Time crawled by. His palms were slick with sweat as he kept wringing his hands, nerves eating him up inside.
I was just as anxious, but it felt like my soul was drifting far away from Roderick. Being around him now, it was like I couldn't even breathe.
It wasn't until the early hours of the next morning that my mom was finally wheeled out. Roderick jumped to his feet and hurried over.
She was still unconscious.
He asked, "How's my mother?"
As far as I could remember, that was probably the first time Roderick had ever addressed my mom by that name. He always looked down on my family.
I was raised by a single mother who didn't have much education. We got by with whatever odd jobs she could find, or sometimes she'd even go out collecting recyclables just to make ends meet.
Even though we didn't have much, my mom always supported my dreams. She knew how much I loved art, and even if she had to sell everything we owned, she was determined to send me to art school.
I first met Roderick when I was out doing street portraits for random people.
He was pretty blunt about it. He told me I had the same vibe as June when I was drawing, so he paid extra for a portrait and even got my contact info.
I was an idiot. I knew I was just a replacement, but I still dove right in. I guessed I deserved it.
Maybe it finally hit Roderick just how grueling a heart surgery could be. I wondered if he ever stopped to think about what I went through before I died and how much pain I suffered.
Roderick stayed up all night, never leaving my mom's bedside until she woke up. The dark circles under his eyes said it all.
But as soon as my mom saw Roderick, her expression changed on the spot.
She said, "Why are you shedding fake tears? You killed my daughter, and now I'm still alive. Guess that's not good enough for you, Dr. Tingey."
Roderick dropped to his knees in front of her, looking like a kid who'd just been caught doing something wrong.
He said, "Mom, I really didn't know Samantha was actually having surgery. I thought... whenever it had anything to do with June, she'd just lose it and act out. It's on me."
my mom turned her head away, refusing to look at him.
She asked, "You were married to Samantha for years. Don't you know she had a heart condition? Would she really play with her own life just because of another woman?"
There was no way Roderick didn't know.
I never kept my condition a secret from him. Every time my heart acted up, Roderick would be in disgust.
One time, I was out of medicine and went to the hospital to get more, only to run into Roderick and June just as they were coming out from her check-up.
Roderick shot me a look like I was some kind of nuisance.
He said, "Samantha, you'll go to any lengths just to stalk me, huh? I was just here with June for her check-up. Seriously, don't you have anything better to do?"
I wasn't about to let him get the wrong idea, so I quietly showed him the medicine, mumbling an explanation.
I said, "I'm here to get medicine for my heart condition..."
June gave me a taunting smile, deliberately making things worse.
She said, "Samantha, are you seriously trying to trick Roderick with some vitamin pills? If you're here to spy on him, just admit it, no need for such a pathetic lie."
Roderick didn't even bother to look at the medicine in my hand. He just grabbed it and tossed it straight into the trash, his eyes filled with utter disgust.
He said, "If you've got nothing better to do, just go home. If you're that bored, sign up for a cooking class. Your food tastes like garbage!"
I watched the two of them walk away, all cozy and close, and my heart cramped up so bad I could barely breathe. Clutching my chest, I frantically dug through the trash can for my medicine.
The meds were crazy expensive, and there was no way I could afford them on my own. But I hated having to ask Roderick for money all the time.
He thought 2 grand a month was more than enough for our massive villa, and there should be plenty left over, so he figured I must be sneaking some to my mom on the side.
Roderick kept his head down, silent.
My mom was worn out. She just sighed.
She said, "Get out. I never want to see the murderer who took my daughter's life again.
"I know you have all the power in this hospital, and no one will stand up and say you did it on purpose, but that doesn't mean I won't hate you forever."
Roderick froze, then looked up. Her figure looked so fragile, but she was firm as ever. He could only get up and leave quietly.
If Roderick hadn't been the hospital director, what happened to me would've counted as a medical accident, and my mom would've at least gotten some compensation.
Too bad my mom didn't have any pull. She probably blameed herself every day, not only couldn't she get justice for her own daughter, but now she was left to struggle alone in this harsh world.