Chapter 5
The moment the specialist finished speaking, I heard Frederick erupt in fury. He kicked over the chair and grabbed the doctor by the collar, his anger boiling over.
“What the hell do you mean by that? How could Anastasia be dying?” he shouted. “I’ve been feeding her and keeping her safe in the mountains for five months! There’s no way she’s on the brink of death!”
The specialist couldn’t get a word out–Frederick’s grip was too tight.
In the heat of the moment, Colette stepped in to calm him down. “Freddie, someone strong enough to hit me won’t suddenly be on their deathbed. Do you think Ana is teaming up with this fraud of a doctor to lie to you?
“She slashed my face and didn’t want to apologize. Maybe that’s why she’s pretending to be seriously ill.”
Then, she turned to me. “Oh, Ana, you’re awake! It’s okay. You don’t have to apologize if you don’t want to. I won’t hold it against you. Just like five months ago, when you pushed me out the window. As long as you’re happy, I’m fine with everything.”
Colette usually wore her hair down, but now, she had it tied back. It was as if she were making sure Frederick could see the stitches on her face.
With her fresh wounds and old injuries, he bought into every word she said.
Blinded by rage, Frederick yanked me out of bed. He did it so roughly that the needle tore out of the vein in my hand, and blood spilled across my skin.
“Anastasia Sherman! I don’t even know who you are anymore! Attempted murder, and now disfiguring Colette? If she weren’t so forgiving, you’d be rotting in jail now! Get up!” he barked.
Even then, the doctor was still trying to reason with him, saying my condition was serious and I should be kept under observation.
However, Frederick stormed off without so much as a glance back. He was convinced I had put the doctor to it. So, he dragged me home.
Unfortunately, the doctor had told the truth. With each passing day, I grew weaker. Death was drawing near, and I could feel it.
I began bleeding spontaneously. Every now and then, blood would seep from my skin. To hide it, I started wearing red.
