Chapter 4

The doctor rolled his eyes and left the ward. On the other end of the line, Freddy was silent for a few seconds. Then, he finally asked in a hoarse voice, "You're hurt? What happened?" Hazel answered truthfully, "A car accident…" She hadn't even finished when Macy's voice came through the phone. She was sobbing and crying out in pain. Freddy immediately switched to comforting her. His voice was gentle and soft. His demeanor then turned cold and mocking again as he snapped at Hazel. "Hazel, are you done yet? I really thought something happened to you, and it turns out you were just trying to trick me? How much did you pay that doctor to put on this show for you? You think this is funny?" Freddy had always been distant. This was the longest he'd ever spoken to her, and it was to accuse her on Macy's behalf. Tears of anguish finally spilled down Hazel's cheeks. She covered her flushed eyes and said, "Fred, I'm not lying. I'm in ward 3201. If you don't believe me, you can come see for yourself." The call was hung up abruptly. She thought that once he saw her with his own eyes, he'd finally believe her. However, Hazel never expected that two unfamiliar doctors were the first to walk in instead of Freddy. He came in last. His usually cool and handsome face froze for a second when he saw the cast on her leg. Just as quickly, his lips curled up in a sneer. "Your acting's getting better and better. They are my private doctors. Let's see how you'll bribe them this time." Hazel stared at him in disbelief. She couldn't understand it. In this lifetime, she hadn't done anything wrong. Macy hadn't even become comatose. Why did Freddy hate her so much? She struggled with all her might, but someone pressed her down against the bed and covered her mouth. She could only watch helplessly as her blood was drawn, drop by drop. For a moment, it felt like she was back in that villa from her past life. She was pinned down every day while they drained her blood. That same helplessness and despair swallowed her whole. Freddy remained indifferent. He just stood there while watching coldly. He even lit a cigarette. Smoke curled around his sharp, unreadable eyes. It was the first time Hazel realized that someone as aloof as him actually smoked. "This is what you owe Macy. She's too kind to hold it against you, but I'm not. Try hurting her again, and the consequences won't be this simple." When they were done, Hazel collapsed weakly onto the bed like a broken doll. "Fred…" she whispered, like a wounded animal clinging to its last breath. Freddy paused ever so slightly as he was walking away.