Chapter 71: I feel terrible
Susan was in the operating room for a full hour.
Outside the operating room, the corridor was long and eerily quiet. Paige sat in her wheelchair, silently staring at the doors.
Olivia sobbed beside her, hands clasped in prayer, begging for God’s mercy.
Moments later, the doors of the operating room swung open. Paige’s grip tightened on the wheelchair’s armrest.
Olivia rushed forward, crying, “Doctor, how is she? Is she okay?”
The doctor removed his mask, regretfully shaking his head. “I’m sorry.”
Olivia broke down in inconsolable sobs. “No, it can’t be. Doctor, please, you have to save her.”
“I’m sorry.” the doctor said softly.
After crying for what seemed like an eternity, Olivia suddenly realized something and turned to look at Paige.
Paige remained seated in her wheelchair, her face still devoid of any expression. Her eyes stared blankly ahead, as if devoid of all emotions.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.
Olivia rushed over, “Miss, are you okay?”
Paige sat there quietly, not looking at her, murmuring as if to herself, “I thought I was ruthless enough. Turns out, I wasn’t.”
Olivia shook her arm, worriedly saying, “Miss, please don’t be like this. If you’re sad, just cry it out.”
“I can’t cry.”
“Miss…” Olivia stared at her in disbelief.
“If I cried for every death in the slums, my tears would have dried up long ago.”
Paige said emotionlessly, “Olivia, don’t ever do something foolish like this again. I won’t cry for you.”
Olivia couldn’t believe what she was hearing. How could she say something so heartless?
“Let’s go back to Rose Estate.”
Paige spoke and, without waiting for Olivia to react, pressed the wheelchair control button herself, steering towards the exit.
…
It was 1 AM.
Rose Estate was brightly lit, guarded meticulously by the security team.
Olivia paced back and forth in the courtyard, wiping tears from her eyes.
Suddenly, the sound of a car broke the silence.
Enrico entered with a stern expression, followed closely by Jaden.
“Mr. Gustin, why are you back so late?” Olivia hurried over.
Jaden frowned disapprovingly at her. “Olivia, you’re getting more audacious.”
This time it was just a maid’s accident, and Jaden didn’t dare disturb Enrico during the banquet, only informing him afterward. As expected, Enrico only asked if Paige was okay. In Mr. Gustin’s eyes, those he favored couldn’t be touched, and those he didn’t care for weren’t worth his concern, alive or dead.
“Where is she?”
“Since Susan’s accident, Miss has been like a different person-silent, expressionless, just sitting inside.”
Enrico proceeded inside, his face grim.
Paige sat alone at the dining table, her gaze almost numb as she stared ahead,.
“Just a maid died, if you’re upset, I’ll get revenge for you.”
At his words, Paige suddenly turned to glare at him, her eyes piercing like a small wolf about to devour. Her mind echoed those words incessantly:
“Just a maid died?”
“You’re just an abandoned baby even your own parents didn’t want.”
“We’re all just scum from the slums. Why bother living when death is easier?”
‘Why? Why did she have to listen to such words all her life? What gave them the right?’ She was furious.
Enrico was taken aback by her gaze, involuntarily softening his tone. He spoke lowly, “I’ll get revenge for you.”
“I’ll handle it myself!” Paige said each word distinctly. “If you dare intervene, I’ll kill you!”
Enrico stared at her in disbelief, his voice low with confusion, “You’d kill me over a maid?”
Paige fell silent, emotionless as she broke free from his grasp.
“You scum. I saved you twice, and this is how you treat me? If I were to die now, you’d vanish faster than anyone. Probably pop open two bottles of champagne to celebrate.”
Paige didn’t respond, settling back into her wheelchair. She thought to herself: It was different, he had saved her twice, but he always exerted his authority over her, treating her as if they were not equals. But Susan had genuinely cared for her, treating her like a daughter. She had never felt that kind of care from an elder before. Never. Kathy’s affection had always been fake.
“How did Kathy find out I was at that hospital?” Paige asked. They had been unable to track her whereabouts before. How did she suddenly know which hospital she was in?
Jaden looked apologetic. “My men were careless. They let slip while handling her. I’ve already punished them.”
“Susan’s funeral arrangements-how should they be handled?” Paige asked again.
“Susan never married or had children. I’ll notify her nephew from her hometown to claim the body,” Jaden replied, his actions as Enrico’s assistant always spot-on.
“No, I’ll take care of it,” Paige said firmly, each word deliberate.
“You’ve already had your stomach pumped once, and now you want to deal with this?” Enrico glared at her, displeased.
“I will,” Paige insisted.
“Paige!” Enrico slammed his hand on the table, standing up abruptly. “Fine!” His voice was cold as he walked away.
Jaden looked back in surprise, thinking, huh? This isn’t like the boss at all. He thought Paige was about to be in trouble…
…
In the stillness of the night, in the dark room.
Paige lay awake, staring into the darkness, her stomach suddenly churning violently, causing her toes to curl up in pain.
She threw off the covers and rushed into the bathroom, kneeling over the toilet, retching uncontrollably.
Paige remained hunched over the toilet for a while before standing up and walking out. She crossed the bedroom, reached out, and pushed her wheelchair onto the balcony, sitting silently as she gazed at the pitch-black sky.
She thought she had grown numb to death from her years in the slums, but now she realized it still hurt. It was unbearable. Really unbearable. She felt like she was drowning in the sea of the slums, the water rising over her body, her lips, her vision, stealing her breath… It hurt.
Paige sat quietly, clutching her chest where her heart was, her fingers almost wishing to reach inside and crush it.
That way, the pain would stop.
Behind her, she heard low footsteps.
The next moment, someone embraced her from behind, Enrico standing behind her. His voice sounded slightly annoyed, “Still not sleeping?”
Paige sat in her wheelchair, letting him hold her, her eyes staring straight ahead without emotion. “I feel terrible.”
Enrico stared at her intently. It was just a maid who died-was it necessary to be in so much pain?
“Can I borrow your cigarette?” she asked. She was really hurting, this feeling was worse than death itself.
Enrico let go of her and walked inside. Soon, he returned, dragging a chair next to her and spreading out his palm.
In his palm lay a pack of cigarettes and a long matchbox.
Paige looked down, reaching out to take them, but Enrico took out a cigarette and placed it between his lips. “You don’t know how to light one. I’ll do it for you.” With one hand, he opened the cigarette box, flicking out a match in a handsome gesture. The light of the match shone brighter in the darkness, illuminating his face. Tilting his head, he lit the cigarette, a crimson glow lighting up his eyes. He took the cigarette out and handed it to her, raising an eyebrow. There was a mark where he had taken a drag.