Chapter 6

Lynn's POV

"Melissa would never say something like that!"

Adrian almost reflexively defended her without thinking.

"I know you're suffering. You hate her. But no matter how much you hate her, you can't use words like that to slander her."

He didn't believe me. Didn't believe those words came from Melissa's mouth.

I wasn't surprised at all.

After all, in Adrian's mind, Melissa was so delicate and unable to care for herself, so purely innocent.

"Besides, bone marrow donation is voluntary. Melissa had no obligation to save Anna. You shouldn't harbor such resentment toward her over this."

He paused, then added with finality,

"Anna's matter ends here. Stop making a fuss."

Ends here?

It turned out that when your heart died to the extreme, even anger would be extinguished.

The bone-deep exhaustion made me feel like all my strength had been drained. Suddenly I didn't want to waste any more words on him.

"Then you should go."

I closed my eyes again.

"I'm tired. I want to rest."

Adrian didn't move. His jawline tightened slightly.

"I'm not comfortable leaving you here alone. I'll stay and keep you company."

I said nothing, just turned slightly to my side, giving him my back.

Over the next few days, Adrian pushed aside considerable work and social obligations, truly staying in the hospital room.

He brought me tea and water.

He even peeled apples, cut them into small pieces, stuck toothpicks in them, and placed them within my reach.

When my hand grew cold during IV drips, he'd raise the air conditioning temperature and clumsily try to warm my hands.

Even the nurse who came to change the IV said,

"Ms. Hart, your husband is so considerate."

Considerate?

In the past, how much I longed for him to care about me even a little.

Now he was finally starting to worry about my physical and mental health, but only after my heart had turned to ash.

I didn't understand that I'd finally stopped fussing and cleared the way for him and Melissa. Why was he acting so concerned about me?

I refused the fruit he offered. I pushed away his attempts to warm my hands.

I wanted no more of his kindness, however small.

I completely ignored him, as if he were transparent. Even when Adrian showed displeasure several times at being ignored, I paid no attention.

This continued for several days.

One evening a few days later, I woke from light sleep.

Adrian, who'd been sitting on the sofa, was nowhere to be seen.

I didn't care. I just felt my throat was terribly dry. Supporting myself with my arms, I slowly sat up, wanting to pour myself some water.

Just then, the hospital room door was forcefully pushed open as a man's voice rang out.

"Lynn, why did you do this?"

Adrian brought with him biting cold and towering fury. He crossed to the bedside in a few strides, his tall figure overwhelmingly oppressive as he demanded answers.

I paused, water glass in hand, halfway to pouring.

"What did I do?"

"Still pretending?"

The fire in Adrian's eyes burned fiercer.

"Melissa has been kneeling at Anna's grave for a full day and night without eating or drinking! She says unless you forgive her, she won't get up!"

Melissa knelt at Anna's grave?

I hadn't even processed this information when Adrian said with an iron-blue face,

"What exactly do you want? Our daughter is dead. Must you torture the living like this?"

Not understanding what game Melissa was playing now, I was too lazy to think about it.

I said, "She kneels if she wants. What does it have to do with me?"

"Nothing to do with you?"

Adrian snatched the water glass from my hand and slammed it heavily on the bedside table.

"If you hadn't threatened and coerced her, why would she use this almost self-abusive method to beg your forgiveness? I never thought you'd become like this!"

Threatened? Coerced?

I raised my eyes and looked at him quietly for two seconds.

"What ability do I have to threaten her?"

"Still pretending!"

Adrian was furious beyond measure.

"If you hadn't told her that unless she knelt at Anna's grave until you forgave her, you'd tell Mom and Dad to send her abroad, would she be kneeling there without eating or drinking? Don't you know she has a heart condition? If something happens to her, can you bear the responsibility!"

I see.

The same thing again.

Anytime, anywhere, no matter the truth, whatever Melissa said, he always believed without reservation.

Clearly, if he just thought about it, he'd realize. I detested Melissa so much, if telling his parents could send Melissa away, why wouldn't I have done it earlier?

Forget it. Let it be.

"Yes."

I simply nodded.

"I threatened her and forced her to kneel at Anna's grave in repentance. So what? Are you here to get justice for her?"

Adrian froze, seemingly not expecting this reaction from me.

In the past, I would have argued my case to the death, never admitting it.

His brow furrowed, his tone softening somewhat.

"I'm not trying to get justice for her. I just want you to go to the cemetery and tell her you forgive her so she'll come back."