Chapter 336

My feet were swollen with chilblains from walking barefoot. The skin was raw and bleeding—a sight too unbearable to look at. He frowned at my foot, hands stiff at his sides, unsure how to proceed. Suddenly, he roared, “Don’t you even know how to wear shoes when you go out?” His eyes were red, and though my vision blurred, I sensed a mist in them. But he couldn't have been feeling sorry for me; his face was a mask of overwhelming anger, as if he would devour me.

I lay on the bed, breathlessly explaining, “Aren’t you the one who urged me to buy medicine for Kimberly? I didn’t have time… didn’t have time to put on shoes…”

“Did you really run out so urgently when I urged you? How come you’re not usually so obedient?” He continued to shout, his tone unchanged even as I felt near death. I wasn't Kimberly. Even though I was as sick and near death as she, I received none of his tenderness. People truly are incomparable.

I closed my eyes, wanting neither to see nor speak to him. My throat felt as if it were cut by a knife. Suddenly, Reynaldo pulled me up. Silently, he removed my down jacket and pajamas. Upset, I cried, “What are you doing? Go away!”

He said nothing, coldly discarding my pajamas on the floor. A chill ran through me, and I shivered, instinctively hugging myself. His cold hand rested heavily on my back. He asked, “Why are you so hot? What did you do all night? Why did you make yourself like this?”

I just shook my head, my body trembling. He quickly tucked me under the quilt, then exposed my blistered feet. Despite the room's heat and the blanket, I felt cold, trembling uncontrollably, my teeth chattering. Reynaldo said in a low voice, “Wait for me a moment.” He rushed into the bathroom, where I heard him on the phone, apparently instructing his subordinates to call a doctor.

I panicked. I couldn't let a doctor come. What if he learned of my pregnancy? I propped myself up, fell off the bed, and grabbed the discarded pajamas. I didn't bother dressing, clutching them to my chest and stumbling toward the bathroom. With a bang, I collided with Reynaldo, who emerged with a glass of water. The basin fell, and I fell with it, warm water splashing over me.

Reynaldo angrily grabbed me, shouting, “Why aren't you lying down properly? Why did you get up?”

“No doctor…” I pleaded, grabbing his arm. “I’m fine, I just need to sleep… Don't call a doctor; I don't want him to see me…”