Chapter 33
Before Sharon had time to think, instinct took over. Her fingers trembled as she pressed Carter’s name on her screen.
Maybe it was the danger, maybe something else-but suddenly, her senses were sharper than ever. She could hear everything. Even the familiar ringtone-his ringtone-coming from the man’s coat just a short distance away.
Sweat beaded in her palm, cold and clammy, making it hard to hold onto the phone. She stared at Carter’s retreating figure, unable to look away, her grip tightening on the device without even realizing it.
Then, he stopped.
Her heart leapt to her throat. She had told herself over and over again that she’d given up on him, that there was nothing left. But in this moment, with her life hanging by a thread, her chest pounded with frantic hope.
Carter pulled out his phone. His gaze darkened slightly when he saw who it was.
Just then, Kelly’s voice broke the silence.
“It’s Sharon… Looks like she’s come around.”
She gave a faint, bloodless smile, her voice barely audible. “Carter, go on. Pick it up. Theo needs his mother to take care of him… Don’t worry about me, I’m fine… It’s not like I have much time left anyway.”
Carter’s eyes flickered. Then, without a word, he rejected the call.
“I’ll take you to the hospital first,” he said. 2
And just like that, he walked away, carrying Kelly in his arms.
Sharon felt the world around her collapse. For a moment, everything went still. Her mind went blank. Her heart felt like it had been struck, hard, by something heavy.
Then darkness fell. Her vision blurred, and she passed out.
“Hey, wasn’t that the young lady who just got brought in? Carter Biggs’s first love, Kelly Walt?”
“Yeah, that’s her. You should’ve seen the way Mr. Biggs looked when he brought her in-so nervous, like he was afraid she’d break. They’re like a pair of star-crossed lovers. Such a pity they never ended up together.”
“I heard his wife was the other woman. Used underhanded tricks to tear them apart and marry Carter instead.”
“I saw him sitting by Kelly’s bedside the whole time. The way he looked at her-God, it made my heart melt. I know it’s wrong, but I’m actually rooting for them to be together.”
In the middle of their chatter, Sharon slowly came to.
“She’s awake,” someone said, and the gossip stopped.
“Sharon, how are you feeling?”
She gave a small shake of her head, though a wave of dizziness immediately followed.
“…My head’s a little fuzzy,” she murmured.
“You’ve got a mild concussion and some bruises,” the doctor said. “There’s also a minor sprain in your foot. You’ll need to stay under observation for a few days. Sharon, please contact a family member to take care of the hospital admission and payment.”
Family?
1/2
Her lips curled into a faint, mocking smile.
Her “family” was probably glued to Kelly’s bedside right now, not sparing her a second thought. 1
She was silent for a long moment. Then, slowly, she dialed a number.
After confirming that Kelly was out of danger-and finally coaxing her to sleep through her tearful panic-Carter drove home. It was already past midnight.
The villa was shrouded in darkness.
He rubbed his tired brow and opened the door to the master bedroom. It, too, was pitch black.
In the past, no matter how late he came home, Sharon always left a light on. The moment she heard him arrive, she’d get up to ask if he’d eaten, if he wanted something to snack on.
But since she’d left… all of that had disappeared.
At first, Carter hadn’t thought much of it.
But tonight, for some reason, the silence felt heavier and colder.
He reached out and flicked on the wall switch.
Bright light flooded the room, but the room was empty.
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