Chapter 3
I forced a smile and said to Sofia, who was standing behind Daniel, "Sorry, I was wrong."
A hint of smugness instantly flashed across Sofia's face.
However, I continued, "I shouldn't have fallen for Daniel, nor slept with him.
"Sofia, do you know that Daniel and I were together for four whole years? During those four years, we had sex everywhere in the Wilsons' residence."
"Shut up! Lucy, are you crazy?" yelled Daniel, interrupting me before I could say more.
He even struck my face hard.
My cheek instantly turned red and swelled, yet I couldn't stop laughing when I saw Sofia's eyes tear up.
Sofia murmured, "Daniel... Lucy... How could you two..."
Her face filled with disbelief, she covered her mouth and ran away.
Daniel didn't even glance at me; he turned and ran after Sofia.
I gazed in the direction they had left, muttering to myself, "Yes, I've gone crazy."
The pain in my head intensified and I stumbled, nearly falling into the snow.
My father, who had come with them, didn't care about me. He only looked at me disappointedly.
He said, "Lucy, what have I taught you all these years? How can you say such things? You're getting out of hand. I'll deal with you when I get back."
I smiled nonchalantly.
Me, getting out of hand?
Four years ago, when I first came to the Wilsons' residence, Daniel said something similar.
Back then, I was rebellious, stubborn, and headstrong.
Throughout the four years, Daniel and I relied on and cared for each other.
He slowly softened my rough edges, allowing me to gradually forget my unpleasant past.
But now, he destroyed what we had together.
As heavy snow fell on me, the world began to blur.
Finally, I heard my father's faint voice. "Lucy, Daniel has barred you from setting foot in the Wilsons' residence again. He wants to sever all ties with you."
My heart sank, and a piercing pain spread from deep within me.
Unable to bear it any longer, I collapsed to the ground and lost consciousness.
While unconscious, I had a dream.
In the dream, someone came to pick me up with an umbrella and took me home whenever it was raining.
At night, he gently coaxed me to sleep.
When my classmates bullied me or teachers misunderstood me, he firmly stood by my side and supported me.
However, these lovely memories gradually shattered, like a mirror that was broken.
I seemed to hear a faint voice explaining, "The patient's body was already weak, and after catching a chill, she has been running a high fever all night.
"Judging by her injury, there's a good chance of traumatic aftereffects—maybe some memory loss, but nothing that'll hurt her overall health."
*****
When I woke up again, there were many people around my bed.
I recognized many of them, including my father.
My father pulled a man beside him and told me the man was the future heir of the Wright Group, and also my fiancé.
He said the man had secretly loved me for many years, that if I married the man, I would surely be happy.
I nodded, silently observing the man.
His features were handsome, and his eyes, when they looked at me, were full of tenderness and deep affection.
Just then, the door to the hospital room opened and a tall man walked in.
When he saw me, his stern face gentled. "Lucy, you're finally awake."
The atmosphere in the room turned strange.
My father looked at me cautiously and asked, "Lucy, do you... still remember him?"
I stared at the man who had just entered. Under everyone's gaze, I smiled.
I said, "I do. He's the son of Mom's best friend."
My father looked awkward for a second, then he nodded.
He said, "You're right."
I didn't dwell on the newcomer.
Turning to look at my fiancé eagerly, I playfully tugged on his hand. "It's boring to stay in the ward. Can you take me out for a bit?"
He smiled somewhat shyly, seemingly unaccustomed to my touch.
"Okay, Lucy," he replied.
I sensed a piercing gaze when I held my fiancé's hand.
For some reason, fear rose in me.
I thought for a moment, then let go of my fiancé's hand.
A week after being discharged, my fiancé took me back to the Wrights' residence.