The hospital at night was eerily quiet.
I took my phone, activated the video recording function, and stepped out of my room.
For the past five years, I had lived almost entirely for Edward, with no friends, and those so-called family members wouldn't help me. If I wanted revenge, I would have to rely on myself.
So, I planned to take advantage of the night when the medical staff were inattentive, to scout the surroundings of my ward, to better understand the terrain.
After surveying this floor, I was about to head downstairs when I heard a familiar voice from the adjacent room.
"Edward, don't blame her, she didn't mean those words."
Hearing this signature manipulative tone, I stopped in front of the door, intending to listen to how outrageous their conversation would become.
"Don't be sad, Grace, I know you've been wronged. But she is injured and it's normal for her to feel upset. Once she's a bit better, how about I take you out alone?"
"But... how do we explain it to her? Won't her recovery take a long time?"
"It won't take long. We'll leave once she's in a better mood and let the nanny take care of her. I'll just tell her I'm on a business trip, like before."
Business trip?
I sneered inwardly. No wonder Edward had to travel for business so often over the years. I had wondered how his small company could be so busy.
Turned out, he was busy accompanying his darling.
Shaking my head, I felt no emotional stir, about to turn away when Grace's next words rooted me to the spot.
"Then, does she know that I was the one who hired the kidnapper?"
What?!
I felt as if struck by lightning.
Edward's response further shattered my perception of him.
"She won't find out. I've signed the letter of forgiveness, and that family has been sent far away. This will be our forever secret."
"Thank you, Edward, you're so kind."
Grace cooed, "It's just that you haven't come to play with me lately. I just thought you didn't care about me anymore."
"How could I not care about you? I've just been busy. No more, okay? You scared me half to death."
"And Delia, she got so badly injured because of this."
Grace fell silent for a moment, then retorted petulantly, "It's not my fault. She struggled too much, or she wouldn't have been beaten."
Standing at the door, my heart grew colder with each passing second, until it became numb.
No wonder.
No wonder Edward signed the letter of forgiveness while I was unconscious.
No wonder the kidnapper singled me out for abuse while Grace remained unscathed.
Everything had been orchestrated!
I gasped for air, the pain from my torn left arm nothing compared to the ache in my heart.
Clinging to my last shred of sanity, I hid my phone in my pocket, then I turned and returned to my room.
I had planned to cause a disturbance in this hospital, but now I had a plan better suited for them, a punishment that fit their deeds.