Chapter 2
Samuel strode over, towering above me with an intimidating glare. He yanked my collar and dragged me roughly right in front of Lauren.
Glass shards still stuck in my body as he pulled me across the floor, leaving a streak of blood in my wake, even though it was only a few steps.
I screamed in agony, and Lauren just stared back, her eyes full of vicious intent and scheming.
"Apologize to Lauren," Samuel ordered, his voice icy and cutting.
His voice was cold enough to freeze the air.
"I... I didn't do that," I protested, trying to get up, but Samuel suddenly kicked the back of my knees, shoving me down and forcing me to apologize to Lauren, humiliated like a dog.
"Evelyn, I really didn't expect you to be so vicious. Can't you even tolerate a young girl? What did Lauren ever do to deserve this from you?" Samuel's voice was full of disappointment and anger.
"Sam, Evelyn just loves you so much. I'm fine. I'm still alive. I forgive her," Lauren said, her voice trembling with fake innocence.
As she spoke, Lauren broke down in tears, throwing herself into Samuel's arms and sobbing uncontrollably.
"Sam, I was so scared. I thought I'd never see you again," Lauren cried, her voice trembling with pretended vulnerability.
"Liar! You're lying. You were the one who crashed into me," I shouted, my voice trembling with rage.
Lauren's shameless lies made my mind snap. I was so furious that I lunged at her, ready to tear her mouth apart if I could.
But before I could even touch her, Samuel kicked me to the ground.
I rolled across the floor, my head smashing into a rock, and I instantly blacked out.
*****
When I finally came to, I was already in the hospital.
When a nurse came to change my bandages, I asked who had been looking after me these past few days.
The nurse scratched her head, looking a little awkward. "Oh, the police sent someone to take care of you."
Yeah, it was the police who hired a caregiver for me, not my husband.
Honestly, it was pathetic. Three years of marriage, and I still end up feeling like I was all alone in this world.
*****
It wasn't until the following day that Samuel finally showed up, lazily carrying a lunchbox as if nothing had happened. Of course, Lauren was with him, sticking right by his side. Figures. Even when I was lying in a hospital bed, the two of them still came together. I really should have stopped hoping for anything else.
As soon as Lauren saw my face, her expression filled with pretend fear.
She spoke with a trembling voice, "Evelyn, you're Sam's wife, so I'm willing to forgive you."
Samuel stood off to the side, all sympathy for Lauren, but when he turned to me, his face was stiff and full of displeasure.
"You should be grateful Lauren is so kind that she doesn't hold a grudge against you," Samuel said, his voice as cold as ice.
At those words, Lauren put on a sugary sweet smile.
"I told Sam to visit you the other day, but he was just so worried about me. He wouldn't leave my side for a second," Lauren cooed, her voice laced with false innocence.
"It's only a bruise on my leg, not like it's broken. He's making way too big a fuss," she said and stuck her tongue out playfully at Samuel.
Samuel affectionately mussed her hair, speaking in a warm, gentle voice.
"You little scatterbrain, always darting off when I'm not around. How would you ever manage without me?" Samuel joked, his voice overflowing with fondness.
He added, "Evelyn's stronger and maturer than you. She can take care of herself."
I looked down at my body, wrapped in bandages like a mummy.
I was not strong, and I didn't want to be.
I was married. I wanted my husband to care for me when I was sick and vulnerable.