Chapter 22
“And you’re still defending her?” Esther snapped.
She didn’t buy it-not for a second.
‘It has to be that woman. She must’ve said something to turn Nigel against her.’
Last night, she’d gone out happily for Christmas dinner, only for Nigel to tell her he’d already arranged a place for her-and that she should move out with Rolland as soon as possible.
Nigel’s patience was wearing thin. “Even if that’s true, that doesn’t give you the right to hurt her! Don’t feed me that line about Rolland pushing her. Esther, you might fool everyone else, but you won’t fool me.”
Esther’s eyes were red with frustration. “Fine! I pushed her! So what? Maybe now you’ll stop acting like she’s some victim. You’re kicking me out for her! Why wouldn’t I be angry?”
“Did you even think about the consequences?” Nigel growled, brows tight with tension. “If Lottie reports you, you’ll be charged with assault. And you won’t be able to walk away from it.”
Lottie had just gotten out of bed to use the bathroom, IV pole in tow.
But hearing that stopped her cold.
Her face drained of color.
She pushed open the balcony door. Both of them turned, clearly shocked to see her standing there.
Lottie gripped the doorframe to steady herself, then looked straight at Nigel.
“Don’t worry. I’m not calling the police.”
The way her brow tightened from pain made something in Nigel’s chest twist-but the words that came out of his mouth were, “What do you want? I’ll compensate you-on their behalf.”
He was her husband.
And
yet,
all she heard lately was compensation-never defense, never protection.
Just payment. As if she were an inconvenience to settle.
Lottie looked up at him, eyes clear but weary. Her voice was quiet. “Anything I want?”
“Of course.”
“Then I want this-an eye for an eye.”
Her voice was calm, steady,
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Chapter 22
Before Nigel could respond, Lottie raised the IV pole in her hand-
And hurled it straight at Esther.
Direct hit.
Right on the forehead.
The blood came faster than it had that morning when Lottie’d fallen down the stairs.
Nigel was stunned-but his body reacted before his mind could catch up.
1288 (Vouchers
He shoved Lottie aside with visible anger, his voice cold and full of disappointment. “What the hell are you doing? Lottie, was all that sweetness and kindness just an act?”
Caught off guard, Lottie stumbled to the floor, dazed, staring up at him.
Yeah.
It was an act.
And this time, she was done pretending.
Nigel hadn’t realized just how badly she’d been hurt. Even that small shove had been too much. He hesitated for a sec- ond, shaken.
Clutching her forehead, Esther whimpered through tears, “Nigel… it hurts so much… I’m bleeding a lot…”
He didn’t think twice-he picked her up and rushed out of the room.
But right before he crossed the threshold, he looked back.
Just once-and that one glance gripped his chest like a vice.
That same girl who used to say she wanted to marry him… the one with those clear, honest eyes…
Now looked at him with nothing at all.
No anger, no sadness.
Not even the kind of emotion you’d offer a stranger.
When she threw the IV stand, the needle ripped clean out of her hand.
Bright red blood ran down her pale skin, dripping steadily to the floor.
She didn’t even flinch.
Instead, she gripped the edge of the bed, pushing herself up. Her body trembled, barely able to stay upright. Her knuckles had gone white, but she didn’t let go.
She refused to.
That was what Nancy walked in on.
She froze for a second, then rushed over-one hand pressing down on Lottie’s bleeding hand, the other supporting her body. “What the hell happened? You’re bleeding this much and didn’t even call a nurse? What were you thinking
What was she thinking?
Lottie gave a faint, tired smile.
