Chapter 20
*
“I actually got to meet a real South Dakota Saintess.“}
Pride flickered in Aimee’s eyes. “It’s not that dramatic, but this flower tea really whitens your skin. Drink a cup today, and you won’t tan during military training.“}
The moment the others heard that, they rushed to fill their bottles with the tea.
I stood still, staring at it. I didn’t dare touch it. I had heard too many stories, South Dakota’s Hexseed were wrapped in mystery. Maybe this tea was behind those strange pregnancies.
Sensing my hesitation, Aimee picked up the pot and moved to pour it into my cup.
I quickly pulled it away and stepped back.
Her smile wavered. She gave me a hurt look.”
“Kelsey, don’t you like me?“”
I held the cup close, overseeing her. “I don’t like flower tea. Take it back.””
Her eyes turned red in an instant.
“Kelsey, I carried this flower tea all the way from Pine Ridge. Can’t you at least have a sip?”
The other roommates turned to look at me.
We
I swallowed my anger and forced a calm tone.}
“can’t
even
“I’m allergic to flower tea. I can’t drink it. If you like it, go ahead, it’s all yours.”
With that, I turned and walked away, clutching my cup tightly.”
That night, the military training opening ceremony was held on the field. The heat was unbearable, and everyone was soaked in sweat.
Our counselor instructed the class officers to use class funds to buy everyone a bottle of cold mineral water to cool off.”
I twisted open the cap and took a sip; something felt off right away.”
When I lifted the bottle, I noticed floating debris swirling inside.
My chest tightened. I turned my head, just in time to see the smug look on Aimee’s face.”
She flashed a triumphant smile. “Kelsey, there’s fruit tea in that. Since you don’t like flower tea, I put fruit tea instead. Tastes good, right?”
I didn’t hesitate. I flung the entire bottle of water into her face.
“Aimee, are you insane? Who told you to put something in my water without asking?”
I spat again and again, but it was useless; the water had already gone down.”
Was I really about to relive the same nightmare from my past life?!
My hands and feet trembled with rage.”
But before I could say more, the others immediately surrounded me, voices filled with blame.\
“Kelsey, you’ve gone too far. We’re all classmates. Aimee was only trying to help.”
“Biting the hand that feeds you, how can someone like you be part of our class?“}
At some point, Khalid Sartorius had arrived. He didn’t ask anything, just listened to them, then gave me a look full of disgust.N “Kelsey, this isn’t your house. Stop acting like some spoiled princess. No one’s going to pamper you here.“N
Aimee let out a heavy sigh, looking deeply wronged.
“It’s my fault. Don’t blame Kelsey.“}
I no longer had the energy to argue. I turned away, went straight to a teacher, and asked for three days off to get myself checked at the hospital.
That very night, I went to the hospital for a full–body examination. Nothing unusual showed up, yet an uneasy feeling still clung to my chest.
Just then, a doctor approached and handed me a report.
“Miss, we found a tumor in your uterus. It needs to be removed. Please schedule the surgery as soon as possible.”
At those words, a sharp clarity struck me. I spoke without hesitation, “Tumors have a habit of coming back. Why not just remove the entire uterus?“&
The doctor looked at me, startled.
“Miss, the tumor isn’t that serious. It’s not at the stage where a full hysterectomy is necessary.”
