Chapter 54

“L…” Chase stammered, searching for the right words, his face a mixture of confusion and unease. “I heard Amanda was pushed before she was taken to the hospital. Who on earth would do something so cruel to a pregnant woman?”

Chase’s face contorted with grim realization. I saw it in his eyes; he was connecting the pieces. Could he remember that day at the café when I confronted Nicole? I’d told him surveillance footage proved Nicole was responsible, but he hadn’t believed me. Instead, he’d shoved me, resulting in my hospitalization.

To him, I was simply a manipulative liar. How could he comprehend that a single push could land someone in a hospital bed?

Finally, a flicker of guilt crossed Chase’s face. He stared at his hands, muttering, “I didn’t know… I really didn’t know she was pregnant. I was just so stressed…”

“Looks like I was right—it was you,” Dr. James said with a sneer. “Mr. Reyes, do you remember what you promised when I let Amanda go then? You swore you’d treat her well forever. And now, just a few years later, you push your pregnant wife aside for someone else. Is that what your promise was worth?”

Chase’s confident demeanor vanished, replaced by unease as he looked at Dr. James. “If she was getting the right care, then why did she miscarry?”

“That’s a question for your beloved sister. Amanda followed every doctor’s order, stayed in bed, and endured everything to keep the baby, even when she was so sick she could hardly eat. She did everything she could. But the moment your sister showed up, Amanda lost the baby.”

Even then, Chase was quick to defend Nicole. “There must be some mistake. Nicole is too kind. She wouldn’t hurt Amanda. Amanda’s her sister, for goodness’ sake.”

Dr. James’ expression mirrored the cold smirk on my lips. Chase judged me without hearing the whole story, yet he readily excused Nicole. His bias was evident.

Dr. James crossed his arms. “If you’re convinced she’s not involved, then I’ve got nothing to add.”

Chase made a call and quickly obtained the hospital’s surveillance footage from that day. The footage didn’t capture what happened inside the room, but it showed Nicole entering. Shortly after, I appeared, crawling out like something from a horror movie, leaving a trail of blood.

Derek was also in the footage. I only remembered seeing a pair of expensive men’s shoes and a wheelchair before I passed out. Watching the footage, however, revealed Derek’s chilling expression.

Chase paused the frame on me crawling into the hallway, studying it for a long time. His face was a mixture of emotions I couldn’t decipher—regret, frustration, perhaps even pity?

He clenched the mouse, his voice shaking. “She must have been terrified during the surgery, right?”

“The procedure was quick,” Dr. James assured him, “My colleague did a clean job. The physical pain didn’t linger, but…”

Dr. James locked eyes with Chase. “How long do you think the heartache will last?”

Chapter 55