Chapter 5 Pushed Into Harm’s Way
They froze when they saw me. Then Hugh’s mother scoffed, “See? I told you she was exaggerating–she looks perfectly fine.
“She’s lived eight years with a terminal illness already. Clearly, she’s in great shape. Why should I have to visit her?”
Anger erupted in me. Hugh’s mother had never liked the idea of me becoming her daughter–in–law. With no parents to speak for me, she always made things difficult.
I had put up with it for years, but it still was not enough to earn her approval.
Not wanting to argue, I acted like I did not hear her and stepped into the elevator–only for Hugh to stop me.
“All right, Eleanor, stop being so upset.
“I know the meds have nasty side effects. So that was why you took it out on Gwen last time.
“I said some harsh things–I’m sorry.”
Without waiting for a reply, he dragged me back toward the ward.
However, his mother was not done.
“That’s enough! Just look at her–she doesn’t seem the least bit sick!
“You caught something from sleeping around in Africa. My son paid a fortune to keep you alive, and this is how you repay him?
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Chapter 5 Pushed Into Harm’s Way
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“If you ask me, son, just cut off her meds already! A girl like her–born but never properly raised–deserves nothing better than to drop dead on
the street!”
I stood frozen, unable to believe how cruel she could be.
In the past, I could ignore her insults toward me, but dragging my mother into it?
I could not hold it in anymore. My chest tightened, and I slapped her with everything I had.
However, just then, Gwendolyn rushed over and caught the slap square on her cheek.
She crumpled to the floor while clutching Hugh’s mother’s sleeve.
She looked so pitiful that it was like a scene straight out of a soap opera.
“Mrs. Laperra, please don’t blame Eleanor.
“Her body might be healing, but she’s been sick for so long, so any emotional stress is too much for her.
“If someone’s to blame, it’s me. I’m the attending physician, and I failed to treat her mental state.”
My vision suddenly dimmed, and my knees buckled.
That was not what she told me. She clearly said I would not live past the month.
Why lie? Why hurt someone who’s already dying?
Hugh could not stand to see Gwendolyn wronged, so his fists tightened and he clenched his jaw. “Eleanor, Mom’s been unwell these days. I was the one who begged her to come visit, and this is how you treat her?
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“She’s still your elder, and she only said those things because she cares. How could you raise your hand against her?”
His tone was full of disappointment. After a pause, he added, “A woman’s appearance is her dignity. Last time you injured Gwendolyn, her colleagues teased her for weeks. Why are you always targeting her?”
“What about me? Can’t you see the pus on my face?”
I could not hold it in anymore and shouted.
Hugh did not understand–whatever Gwendolyn went through was nothing compared to the eight years I have endured.
Everyone called me filthy and said I got sick from a messy life in Africa.
Doctors, nurses, and even patients avoided me. They would look disgusted every time they had to touch me.
One nurse even spat in my food and cursed me to die right in front of me.
I stayed quiet since I did not want to cause trouble for Hugh.
For seven days straight, I tried to contact him.
And all I got was a casual reply.
“Don’t be so dramatic. Hospitals are full of people, so of course there’ll be conflicts. You can’t live in isolation forever. A little hardship builds character.”
So I never brought it up again.
Then Hugh’s mother snapped, her voice was sharp and cutting.
“Son, you’re too soft–hearted for insisting on keeping this woman alive.
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Chapter 5 Pushed Into Harm’s Way
“She’s got no shame raising a hand against Gwen like that!
“If you still think of me as your mother, lock her up and teach her a lesson!”
I looked at the three of them and realized I really was just an outsider.
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I turned to leave when suddenly, a man in a hospital gown charged at us with a knife.
“Dr. Accetta! You heartless witch! I’m taking you down with me!”
He lunged straight at Gwendolyn.
And right at that moment, Hugh shoved me in the attacker’s path and then turned to run away, dragging Gwendolyn and his mother with him.
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