Chapter 6

Abigail's face darkened when she heard that. She clenched her teeth in anger, then slapped me hard. The sting of it left my cheek burning, and I grunted from the pain. Before I could gather my thoughts, she gripped my throat tightly. I gasped, and my face flushed as I struggled to breathe, feeling a rush in my head as everything buzzed. Abigail wasn't done yet. Her face was ice-cold as she demanded, "Samuel, do you even know what you're saying?" I forced a weak smile. "I've never been clearer." What did I have left to fear, knowing the end was so near? "This ring is mine. I'll give it to whoever I want," she snapped, letting go of me. I clutched the ring in my hand with grim determination. A tense silence fell over the room as people glanced around, unsure if they should step in. Joshua was very sharp and quick to read the room. He quickly stepped forward and smiled as he grabbed Abigail's hand. "Abi, don't be mad at him. If he likes it so much, I'll let him have it. Here, Samuel, let me make a toast to you. I shouldn't have made such a big deal of my birthday, upsetting you like this. I'm sorry. Drink this as my token of apology." Joshua gave me the glass. The strong scent of alcohol hit me, stirring up waves of nausea. My body instinctively rejected it as I stumbled back. Joshua was stunned, and he looked disappointed. He sighed. "I guess Samuel doesn't want to forgive me." Abigail snatched the glass from Joshua coldly. She gripped my chin and forced the alcohol into my I sputtered and choked, but the pain in my hands and the throbbing in my body left me helpless. She pressed me down to sit on a chair and poured the burning liquor down my throat. The fiery taste invaded my senses, making my stomach twist violently. Sweat dripped from my forehead and trailed down my face as I struggled for breath. The pain was so intense that I couldn't breathe. I collapsed to the floor, curling up in agony and coughing harshly. My mouth was filled with a metallic taste, and I spat out a mouthful of blood. Abigail's initial look of disgust quickly morphed into horror. She shouted, "What's wrong? Get up!" I could hear Abigail's commanding voice just before I passed out, as if I were nothing more than a servant at her beck and call. I thought I had finally gotten my release. But fate had different plans. When I opened my eyes again, the strong scent of antiseptic hit me, making me wince. I tried to sit up, but a gentle hand pressed me back down. "The doctor said you need rest. Just lie down," a soft, soothing voice said, stopping me in my tracks. I looked up and found myself staring into the eyes of a beautiful young woman. "You're… Abigail's assistant?" I finally recognized her. Her cheeks flushed as she nodded. "We've met quite a few times, but I never got the chance to properly introduce myself. I didn't know if you remembered me." I managed a weak smile. "Of course I remember." But she shook her head, a little disappointed. "My name is Sophia Smith." "Nice to meet you, Ms. Smith," I replied politely. Her smile froze, and the disappointment in her eyes grew even deeper. "I guess you really don't remember me." I didn't understand the meaning behind her words, but I offered an apologetic smile. "Sorry. We met a few times, but I never caught your name." Back then, my whole world was Abigail. I'd always kept a careful distance from other women, even if they were just part of her life. Sophia was Abigail's assistant, but I didn't even have her contact information. I pulled out my phone and said, "You must have been the one who brought me here. Thank you for taking care of me. Why don't you give me your number? I'd like to treat you to lunch sometime as a thank-you." Sophia's face lit up as she recited her number. We added each other on our contacts and on social media, and I couldn't help but notice her flushed cheeks, as though adding me was a big deal for her. But just as she was smiling, tears welled up in her eyes, and a tear slipped down her cheek. I was startled and fumbled to get her a tissue. "Are you alright?" Women were a strange species. She was laughing for a moment, and crying the next. Sophia looked at me with teary eyes and said, "Are you trying to kill yourself? You're sick! You know you can't drink or exhaust yourself. You can't get hurt either. Otherwise, you'll get an infection, and it might cost your life!" I was stunned by Sophia's words. It had been a long time since someone spoke to me with such concern. My wife was too busy enjoying her life with her lover, yet her assistant had been the one to bring me here, caring for my injuries. I let out a bitter laugh, shaking my head. "Everyone dies eventually. For me, it would mean freedom." Every second with Abigail was agonizing and painful, but over the years, I had become numb to it. Since she refused to divorce me, I had given up and waited for death. That was the only release for me. But Sophia shook her head with tears in her eyes and sobbed, "No, Samuel! Don't say that. You have to fight. I know you can get through this if you stick with the treatment." I sighed and smiled sadly. "It's no use. I have a rare disease. Right now, there's no treatment that can cure it." "But…" Sophia started. Just then, my phone rang from the bedside table. I glanced at the caller ID, and my heart clenched. It was a call from the private care facility. Had something happened to my sister?