Zoe let out a hollow laugh. "Well, I'm pregnant."
Zoe's closed eyes cracked open slightly, her long lashes trembling. Hearing the confirmation from another woman pierced her heart, even though she already knew.
"Oh, how does that concern me? Tell Evan about it," Zoe responded coolly.
"How shameless can you be? Evan often tells me you're unresponsive, like a block of wood. Wouldn't it be better to divorce early and retain some dignity?"
That address, 'Evan', weighed heavily on her chest.
Are mistresses nowadays so emboldened? Not only do they ruin someone else's family, but they also have the audacity to call the lawful wife shameless?
Zoe sniffled. "Seems like you're the shameless one here."
"How dare you curse at me? You will pay for that!"
The line went dead with a series of beeps.
Exhaustion washed over her. Why wouldn't these troubles leave her alone? She turned over and drifted back to sleep.
Zoe woke up feeling drained, despite going to bed early. She dragged herself out of bed at nine, hurriedly ate breakfast, and headed for her IV drip.
Midway through her treatment, Evangeline called, her voice trembling with tears. "Zoe, My brother had a car accident!"
The news struck Zoe like a bolt from the blue, and panic surged within her.
Ignoring the needle still in her arm, she sat up abruptly, causing blood to flow back. The nurse didn't arrive in time, and in a frenzy, Zoe pulled the needle out herself, got off the bed, and put on her shoes. Blood seeped from the puncture, staining her black coat. More kept trickling, but she paid it no heed, knowing it was a minor amount. It stung a little, and her arm swelled slightly.
Zoe rushed to the other building in the hospital.
"Zoe, you're here," Evangeline said, tear stains still visible on her face outside the operating room.
"How is he? Is it serious?" Zoe asked, panting as she stopped before her, leaning on her knees.
"Zoe, are you at the hospital? How did you get here so fast?"
Zoe nodded.
"Mom and Dad left yesterday. I just learned from the company that Evan had an accident, so I rushed over."
They had left? How didn't she not know about this?
Right, Claire did say she was an outsider.
Zoe looked up at the illuminated "Operating Room" sign, a wave of sadness spreading within her.
The door opened.
The doctor removed his mask, followed by the nurse pushing the stretcher out.
"There's no major issue. The wound on his forehead split and enlarged, so we had to remove the previous stitches and redo them. He has a minor rib fracture, which requires hospitalization and rest for roughly one to two months. He's currently in temporary unconsciousness."
"Thank you, Doctor," Evangeline replied, following the stretcher.
Zoe hesitated for a moment before trailing behind.
Gazing at Evan's pale face, she regretted her earlier panic.
Her phone rang. It was Edward. She paused and answered.
"Ms. Hartley," Edward's voice was grave. "You left before finishing your IV?"
Indeed, She was too impulsive. She softened her tone. "Sorry, I had something urgent."
"Were you that desperate? Pulling out the needle and running?"
"I... I'll be back later."
In the ward, the nurses laid Evan on the bed before leaving.
"Zoe, why are you at the hospital?" Evangeline realized it and ask again.
"It's nothing," Zoe smiled, weaving a lie. "Just a slight cold, My friend is hospitalized and I came to pay her a visit."
Relieved, Evangeline replied, "Oh, that's good then."
