“The hospital?” Thinking something bad had happened to Sharon, I quickly followed Lyle to the hospital. There was a crowd of people standing in front of the emergency room’s entrance when the two of us arrived. Even Dad, Aunt Natalie, and Yvette were there.
Doctors and nurses hurried around the hospital. Feeling confused, I asked, “Dad, what’s going on?”
“It’s all your fault, you jinx! My daughter wouldn’t have ended up like that if not for you. I will kill you if anything happens to her.” Natalie rushed up and gave me two tight slaps as she scolded.
Her daughter? Is it not Sharon? My cheeks felt numb after getting slapped so many times today. I asked coldly, “What do I have anything to do with Crystal getting hospitalized?”
“Nothing to do with you?” Natalie looked as if she wanted to tear me apart badly as she grabbed my hair. “If you didn’t accuse her of being a homewrecker in front of the reporters, she wouldn’t have committed suicide. She was supposed to host an art exhibition this time around. Everyone was looking forward to it, but it was no longer possible because of you, you b*tch.”
I finally understood what was going on. Crystal’s reputation as an up-and-coming artist was ruined after news of her being a homewrecker made the headlines. She attempted suicide because she couldn’t handle the pressure. But what does that have anything to do with me? Things wouldn’t have turned out this way if she didn’t pick a fight with me in public.
Sabrina was right. She got what she deserves! Serves her right.
At the moment, the emergency room door was pushed open. Crystal laid on the hospital bed; her face was pale and ghastly. Natalie immediately pushed me aside and rushed up to Crystal. Crystal stared at me and said weakly, “Don’t worry, my dear cousin. I just came back to host an art exhibition and will leave for Anglandur in a few days. Please forgive me if I’ve offended you in any way.”
She looked frail, innocent, and pitiful as tears welled up in her eyes. That expression of hers, coupled with the white hospital gown, made me look like the wicked witch of the west.
Of course, Yvette had to play along. She burst into tears and said, “Yvonne, please don’t be mad. There’s really nothing going on between her and Lyle. Yes, they were in love, but that’s all in the past. Why can’t you let bygones be bygones? Why do you have to tarnish Crystal’s reputation?”
It’s always the same scenario. I looked at my husband, who was holding onto Crystal’s hand. He looked like he was having difficulty breathing as his heart ached for her. “Eve, please help Crystal out just this once. She’s leaving next week.”
She’s leaving? How is that even possible? I’m not buying it. Did Lyle have a sudden change of heart because Crystal is leaving soon? Is that why he’s putting up a good front? Is he treating me like her replacement?
“Eve, please help to clear Crystal’s name at the press conference tomorrow,” Nathan spoke up. He was still pleading for me to pay for Crystal’s actions as usual.
“Yeah, you should agree to his pleas. She looks so miserable. Everyone has an ex.” A nurse couldn’t stand it anymore and stood up for Crystal.
I took two steps back and stared at everyone coldly. They were all taking Crystal’s side. Natalie suddenly ran up, knelt before me, and cried, “Yvonne, I’m begging you, please let Crystal off. You forcefully broke them up and married Lyle back then. She already left for Anglandur, and you got what you wanted. Why do you still have to do this? Are you trying to kill us?”
Some were taking photos while others were talking. I couldn’t really hear what they were talking about, but they were all pointing fingers at me for forcing Crystal away. It happened so frequently that I was beginning to think I was actually the culprit too. But I hadn’t done it. I was very sure of that fact.
Crystal spoke up once again upon seeing me keep quiet. She smiled bitterly and sobbed, “Please stop giving my dear cousin a hard time. I deserve this. After all, I’m still in love with Lyle. But fate is cruel. We’re simply not meant to be together.”
