Edward was genuinely infuriated, having never encountered a patient so reckless in all his years of practice.
Zoe returned to the hospital to complete her IV drip, and the nurse instructed her to come back tomorrow for a blood test. She planned to visit Evan regardless, given that they were still legally married. However, she hesitated at the door of his room, her hand freezing on the handle.
Through the glass partition, she saw Evan awake, with the woman she'd seen at the hospital previously resting her head on his chest, whispering something.
"Zoe, why aren't you going in?" Evangeline approached, flicking water droplets from her hands.
Zoe withdrew her grip on the handle, walked up to her, handed her the fruit basket, and left without a word.
Evangeline was puzzled, watching her go. "Zoe, what's wrong?"
Zoe heard but didn't respond, turning the corner towards the elevator. Evangeline understood now.
She pushed the door open and entered the room. Jocelyn immediately sat up, flashing a sweet smile.
"This is Evange—"
"Evan, you've gone too far!" Evangeline interrupted harshly, slamming the fruit basket onto the bedside table and shouting at Evan.
Being a man, he naturally valued his pride, his face darkening. "What's wrong?"
Having witnessed the scene, Evangeline defended Zoe. "How dare you ask? Zoe was driven away by you!"
Evan was momentarily stunned but quickly regained his composure, staring at her silently.
"I never thought you were this kind of person!" Evangeline's eyes welled up, and she ran out.
Jocelyn looked guilty, standing up. "Ah... It's all my fault... for letting your sister see... Evan, I'm sorry."
He thought of Zoe's pale face for no apparent reason, feeling inexplicably irritable. "It's fine."
"I was just too worried about you..." She bit her lip, reaching out to hug him.
Evan didn't stop her. "I know."
Zoe returned home, washed her face, and winced at the pain from the swollen area on her hand. Leaning on the sink, she gazed at her reflection.
The doorbell rang. Hastily drying her face, she opened it to find a teary-eyed Evangeline.
"What happened?" Zoe frowned, ushering her in.
"I'm sorry, Zoe." Evangeline lowered her head, looking at her.
"What's wrong?" Zoe repeated.
Evangeline choked up. "My brother is a jerk... he's inhuman, Zoe... our family has wronged you..."
Touched by someone standing up for her, Zoe's eyes brimmed with tears.
"My mom... her attitude towards you was terrible... I apologize for her too... I'm sorry... Zoe..."
Evangeline knew how good their relationship used to be, dating back to when they started their romance, and she was still in junior high. She was aware her family wasn't as wealthy as Zoe's and knew how well Zoe had treated her, like a real sister, making her incredibly happy every time they met. She truly adored Zoe. But what was her brother doing?
Zoe pulled her inside, wiped her tears with tissue, and when Evangeline tried to speak again, she placed a finger over her lips, shaking her head, then hugged her tightly.
Evangeline's face pressed into her collarbone, causing a slight ache, but she didn't move. She grieved for Zoe, such a wonderful person being tormented by her own brother to the point of significant weight loss.
They had been deeply in love once.
Zoe was moved, but sentimentality wouldn't change anything. The divorce was still inevitable.
