Chapter 32
Later, I discovered that he left me at the hotel to die that night because Yasmin’s father, Roger Bailey,
fell ill
He had suffered a sudden cerebral hemorrhage while drinking. His hospitalization, recovery, and subsequent recovery cost a lot of money.
Michael insisted on the best for everything. He demanded a private room, the finest nurse, an elite medical team, and top–notch rehabilitation
He could spend tens or hundreds of thousands, or even millions for Yasmin without batting an eyelash.
Yet, he treated me with extreme cruelty.
While Yasmin enjoyed his unreserved generosity, I carried a heavy burden.
It seemed that no amount of money and kindness I had shown throughout my life would be able to repay him.
For a long time, I struggled to differentiate gratitude, guilt, and feelings. I couldn’t distinguish them clearly.
Sometimes, I wondered if I really loved Michael, What did I love about him?
Did I fall in love with him when he rescued me?
Did I become infatuated when he risked his life and rushed into the car to carry my parents‘ bodies?
Or was it the moment when he gazed at me with concern and fear of losing me when the car exploded?
As it turns out, I was deceiving myself.
Back then, I believed Michael genuinely cared about me.
I believed he loved me as well.
Unfortunately, it was all just a figment of my imagination.
Even the love I once felt for him now felt like a distant illusion.
“Stephanie, aren’t you ashamed to keep lingering around the Fords? You were already an adult when you entered the Ford family. Have some shame, will you? You’re staying here just to get close to Michael, right?”
That day Yasmin fell down the stairs at the Ford residence was the day I got discharged.
Aunty Lois traveled to Georgeke as Michael’s father was unwell. He had been undergoing treatment there throughout the year. This time, Aunty Lois intended to stay with him for about half the year.
I felt scared whenever Aunty Lois wasn’t around. In her absence, there was no one to protect me.
Michael would treat me even more cruelly without her in the house.
1 contemplated escaping or finding refuge in the dormitory. It didn’t matter if I had to rent a house and live in the basement.
But Michael caught me in the act every time. He always brought me back and questioned how long I intended to keep up this act.
“Stephanie, the same trick loses its effectiveness once overused.” Yasmin stood by the staircase and looked at me mockingly.
“Do you know what people are saying about you? They’re saying that you bring bad luck. You have caused the death of your parents,
“Even Michael’s father fell ill since you joined the family. What’s the point of someone alive?
“Shut up.” I lost control of my emotions after being provoked by Yasmin.
Because it was the day of my parents‘ death anniversary.
like
you being
In the first two years after I joined the family, Michael still remembered my parents‘ death anniversary. However, he soon forgot about it.
“I would have quickly died if I were you,” Yasmin’s cousin sneered along with Michael’s friends, all
mocking me.
They never regarded me as a human.
“Michael’s not back yet.
“Stephanie, I heard you’re lacking a man? Come, let me offer you some warmth while Michael’s away.
I shivered at their disgusting words as if it was a curse.
“Let’s go, come with me.” Yasmin held my wrist and dragged me down the stairs forcefully.
I retreated in fear, watching as Yasmin deliberately released my hand while I struggled. She sneered at me and then tumbled down the stairs.
Everyone was shocked and quickly stood up.
Horror filled me as I watched Yasmin lay in a pool of blood on the ground. Then my gaze shifted to Michael, who had just entered. I shook my head anxiously.
It wasn’t me, it wasn’t me.
But nobody would believe me.
Even if everyone other than Michael saw that it wasn’t me, they wouldn’t defend me.
“Stephanie! How can you be so evil!” Eva rushed over and slapped me. A punch and kick soon
followed
Touted up in the corner, holding my head. I was too scared to move.
“It wasn’t me…”
It really wasn’t me