Chapter 72
Therapy started slowly.
Painfully.
Every part of me felt like it had been shattered and awkwardly pieced back together with too much space between the bones. The simplest movement–lifting a fork, adjusting my blanket–sent sharp reminders through my body that I was still broken
But for once, I didn’t mind the pain,
Because I wasn’t the one suffering anymore.
Cameron was.X
He hovered over me like a well–trained dog–attentive, obedient, desperate for forgiveness. Every time I needed to shift in bed, he rushed to help. Every time I dropped something, he picked it up with shaking hands. And every time the therapist gently guided my arm or leg, he was night there, offering silent, quilt–soaked support.
Like a husband..
A good one.
It should have made me laugh
But instead, I played along–quietly. Mute
I still hadn’t spoken a word, and I didn’t plan to anytime soon. He thought I couldn’t. That I was traumatized, fragile, voiceless.
Perfect!!
During one therapy session, Cameron tried to feed me. The soup was lukewarm, bland, and thick. I let him lift the spoon to my lips–then tumed my head just as he brought it close.X
It spilled all over my gown.
“Oh shit,” he muttered, quickly grabbing a napkin. “Sorry. That’s my fault.“?
He tried again.
I opened my mouth, took the spoon–and spit it right back out!
His expression flickered.
I stared blankly at him, the tiniest glint of satisfaction buried in my chest.
Over the next few days, I kept going
Tipped over a glass of water onto his lap.
Tugged at the bedsheets when he was reaching for something, just to watch him stumble.
Once, I pretended I couldn’t reach the nurse call button and made him sit beside me for two hours straight while I pretended to nap.
Every time he looked like he was about to lose his temper, I braced for the old Cameron.X
But he never raised his voice
Never walked away!
Never stopped trying.
And strangely it made something inside me tighten
Not pity.”
Not forgiveness.
Just confusion.
Because I didn’t know this version of him. And I wasn’t sure what to do with a man who suddenly treated me like I mattered.
Of course, peace never lasted in this house.
Not with her in it
Sofia was still here!
Like a snake with no nest, she slithered through the estate in silk gowns, red lipstick, and desperation.
“I’m carrying his child,” she announced loudly every chance she got. “I belong here. This is my house. I’m the mother of the next Green
And yet, Cameron never looked at her. Never touched her. Never asked about the baby
Every day she stayed, her bittemess grew sharper.
And I knew it was only a matter of time
It happened when Cameron left for a business meeting one afternoon.X
The moment he was gone, Sofia slithered in, eyes flashing with glee
She waited until the nurse stepped out of the room–then slammed the door shut
“Well, well,” she sneered, circling my wheelchair. “Look who’s suddenly the queen of the house.“!
I kept my gaze forward, still playing mute, still pretending her presence didn’t affect me.
But it did. She leaned down, so close I could smell her perfume E
H
11:26 AM c d
“I don’t buy this little act,” she hissed. “You’re not mute. You’re not paralyzed. You’re just pathetic.”
I remained still
“I should’ve made sure you died that night,” she whispered, her breath hot against my ear!
Then she grabbed the handles of the wheelchair and shaved.!
The wheels jerked forward, and I gasped silently as I nearly toppled–only catching myself at the last second by gripping the armrests tight
She wasn’t finished.
“You want attention?” she snapped, stepping in front of me. “Here, stand up. Prove it. Prove you’re really crippled.”
She yanked on my arm. The pain shot up my side like fire, and I bit down hard on the inside of Still, I didn’t speak.
my
cheek.X
Didn’t scream
Because I knew what was coming..
The door burst open.
“Sofia!”
Cameron’s voice cracked through the air like a whip.
She froze. He stormed across the room, eyes blazing, and pushed her aside. Hard.
She stumbled back, crashing into the comer of the table.
“You-” she stammered. “You’re siding with her now?”
“She’s my wife,” he growled. “And you just tried to hurt her.“:
“She’s faking it!” Sofia cried. “I know she is! She’s manipulating you–just because she jumped, now you suddenly love her?!“%
Cameron’s face twisted with fury.”
“It was my fault,” he said, voice low, dangerous. “All of it. And I’m trying to make up for it. So for once in your miserable life, shut up and leave
She stared at him, stunned.
Tm pregnant,” she whispered. “Cameron, I’m carrying your child.”
His eyes didn’t even flickeri
“I don’t care,” he said coldly. “Abort it. And get out of my house.”
“You can’t mean that-
“You are no longer needed. Alicia is my wife. And from this moment on, you are nothing.”
Sofia’s face collapsed in disbelief. “You bastard-“S
“Guards,” Cameron called, stepping closer to my wheelchair and gripping the handles.
Two men appeared in the doorway instantly.
“Escort her out. If she refuses, carry her.“2
“No–NOI” Sofia screamed, “I made you–1”
But Cameron had already turned his back on her.
He gently pushed my wheelchair forward, ignoring her screams behind us.}
As we moved down the hallway, I kept my eyes ahead, my hands folded calmly in my lap.
And when I heard Sofia’s voice vanish behind the slamming door–1
I smiled.
Just a little
Because this time, I wasn’t the one being dragged away.!
