Chapter 81
Melody’s POV
“This is all my fault,” my dad muttered, frustrated. “I should’ve never sponsored that girl. I should’ve known trouble always comes from people like that.“>
Our family doctor was quick and efficient as he examined me. After checking everything over, he looked up and reassured my dad, “Mr. Hutchinson, you came just in time. She’s okay. We’ve done a full body check. It’s all external injuries–nothing internal, no lasting damage. She’ll recover quickly.”
Then, with a gentle smile, he added, “Besides, if you stay upset like this, Miss Hutchinson won’t feel better either.“>
Only then did my dad finally breathe a little easier. “Thank God you’re alright,” he said, sitting down at the edge of my bed. “I honestly don’t know what I’d do if something really happened to you. Also, don’t worry anymore. I’ve found out that those two who hurt you were already deep in debt. There are a lot of people out there looking for them, so I just handed them over to the loan sharks. They swore to me those two won’t ever appear in front of you, or anyone, again.“}
I nodded faintly. Those two were scum, no doubt, but I couldn’t help thinking they never would’ve gotten that close to me if someone hadn’t helped them.
My dad clearly read my mind, and before I could say anything, he continued, “As for the other three… I haven’t dealt with them yet. I figured maybe you’d want to handle them yourself.“}
I followed his gaze, and that was when I noticed them. Karrie, Damon, and Alvin were kneeling a short distance away, their faces battered and swollen. My dad had clearly saved them for me.}
When they saw I was awake and okay, the three of them actually looked relieved. I was not exaggerating to say they seemed even happier than my father. If they hadn’t been tied up, I swear they might’ve jumped for joy.”
I forced myself to sit up. The first to speak was Alvin. He crawled forward a bit on his knees, trembling as he begged.}
“Miss Hutchinson… please, this was all a misunderstanding. We didn’t mean to hurt you, not really. Please, just let us go. You’re kind and generous. I remember when I was sick, you even helped me find a doctor. Look at me now, I’ve been beaten worse than you. I swear we know we were wrong. Please, forgive us.“>
He bowed over and over, banging his head on the floor, a complete 180 from the arrogant man who once claimed he’d teach me how to behave because he was my “real dad.”}
“If you want someone to blame, blame Karrie! I had nothing to do with this!” he even added, throwing her daughter under the bus.§ Before I could respond, Karrie spoke up, too, unable to hold it in.
“Miss Hutchinson, I just… I was jealous. Mr. Hutchinson treated you so well, and my own father never even saw me as human. Then, Mr. Hutchinson started being kind to me… and you and I were born at the same time… and then the DNA test said… I just got it in my head that maybe…”
I scoffed. “So, because my father and I were good to you, this is how you repay us? You betray us, and now you expect mercy? You turn on kindness and want to be spared for it? Do you even hear how ridiculous that sounds?”
Karrie broke into sobs, her voice cracking. I couldn’t tell if it was from pain or guilt.
“You had that birth video all along, why didn’t you show it to us earlier? If I’d seen it, I never would’ve doubted you. I never would’ve done any of this! This isn’t all on me. You should’ve told us!”
My dad shot her a sharp look, signaling her to shut up. Then he turned to me, softening.
“Sweetheart, whatever you decide, I’ll follow your lead.“}
I didn’t hesitate. “Don’t let them off easy,” I said, voice cold but steady. “If kindness is repaid with cruelty, then how are we supposed to treat actual enemies? Whatever happens to them, they brought it on themselves.“}
