Chapter 7

For the next two days, nobody properly checked my wounds. My ribs hurt badly, and my shoulder was still swollen from the gunshot. I couldn't sleep properly, and every time I moved, pain shot through my body. I stopped calling for help because I didn't want to beg anyone anymore.

Eventually, I became so weak that I could barely stay awake.

Then the ward door opened, and a doctor rushed in with Favio. The doctor examined me and immediately started treating my wounds.

“She needs proper care. Her wounds are inflamed, and she's badly dehydrated. She should've been treated earlier.”

I didn't look at Favio.

The doctor cleaned my wounds, changed the dressings, and gave me pain medication. After some time, I woke up again and found Favio sitting beside my bed.

He looked at me for a moment before asking quietly, “Does it still hurt?”

I stared at him and then laughed bitterly. “Now you ask?”

His brows pulled together. “Addy.”

“You left me here for two days.”

“I didn't know your condition had gotten this bad.”

I looked at him with tears in my eyes. “You didn't know because you never checked.”

He went quiet.

I wiped my face. “I was shot, Favio. I was cut open without anesthesia. I was left bleeding in a mining clinic, and you didn't even come for me.”

“Isabella said you attacked her.”

“And you believed her.”

“She was injured too.”

I stared at him. “Of course.”

Favio sighed. “I know you're angry, but stop blaming everything on Isabella. I do care about you, Addy. We've been together for years, and you're still my wife. But Isabella is important to me too."

I looked at him. “Important?”

“Yes.”

I laughed quietly through my tears. “That used to be me.”

He didn't respond.

I lowered my eyes. “I don't even know who you are anymore.”

Before he could answer, the door opened.

Isabella walked in. She looked completely fine. Her hospital uniform was neat, and her expression was calm. She looked at the doctor beside my bed, then at Favio.

“Why did you bring a doctor?”

Favio stood up. “Adeline's condition got worse.”

Isabella frowned. “I told you not to waste money on unnecessary treatment.”

I looked at her. She wasn't worried about money. She simply didn't want me getting better.

Favio frowned. “She's my wife.”

Isabella's face changed slightly. “I know.”

She looked at me. “But being your wife doesn't mean she gets to do whatever she wants!”

I was too tired to argue. I closed my eyes because I didn't want to hear them anymore. I didn't want to fight anymore. I was done begging Favio to remember the woman he used to love.

If he wanted Isabella, then let him have her.

I just wanted to get strong enough to leave.

“Fine! I'm leaving. You stay with your wife. I'm done being called a mistress anyway!"

Favio panicked the moment Isabella turned to leave. He immediately got up and followed her, his voice softer than I'd ever heard it. “Isabella, wait. Please don't be angry. Adeline's injuries are still serious, and if she doesn't take her medicine and get proper treatment, she could get worse.”

Isabella stopped and slowly looked back at him. There was no concern in her eyes, only irritation.

“So what if she gets worse?” she asked coldly. “Why are you always acting like she's some helpless little girl who needs to be protected? She's the wife of the Don of the Guerrero Syndicate. If she wants to act tough and refuse treatment, then let her deal with the consequences. Maybe she'll finally learn that being your wife doesn't make her untouchable.”

Favio lowered his voice. “Isabel, that's enough. She's already been through a lot. I'm asking you, please don't make things worse.”

She crossed her arms and stared at him. “You're taking her side again?”

“No. I'm just asking you to calm down.”

Isabella gave him a long, suspicious look before letting out a dramatic sigh. “Fine. I'll forgive you this time. But don't expect me to keep pretending that Adeline is some innocent victim. I'm tired of watching you waste your money on her while she lies around doing nothing.”

Favio glanced back at me.

I was still lying on the hospital bed, barely able to move without feeling pain shoot through my ribs and shoulder.

Isabella noticed his hesitation and smiled.

“Actually, I have an idea. I need my personal assistant again.”

Favio looked at her. “Your assistant?”

“Yes. I have a presentation at the university tomorrow, and I need someone to handle my materials, organize my documents, carry everything I need, and stay with me throughout the presentation.” She looked directly at me. “Adeline can do it.”

Favio hesitated.

Isabella's expression immediately changed.

“If you don't want me to forgive you, then forget it. I'll leave, and you can stay here and take care of your precious wife.”

“Okay,” Favio said almost immediately. “I'll do whatever you want. Just don't be angry with me.”

I closed my eyes.

I didn't even feel surprised anymore.

He had become so different with her. The Favio I knew used to make the entire world wait if I needed him. He would cancel meetings, leave business dinners, and drive across the city just because I had called him. Now he couldn't even bear the thought of Isabella walking away from him while she was upset.

I already knew what would happen if I refused. Isabella would twist the situation until Favio blamed me, and sooner or later, he would threaten me with Angelica's ashes again.

So I didn't argue.

I simply nodded.

...

The next morning, Isabella arrived at the hospital early and took me straight to the university. My ribs still hurt, my shoulder was bandaged, and I could barely walk without feeling dizzy, but she didn't care. The moment we got out of the car, she shoved a large box of presentation materials into my arms.

“Carry this.”

I stared at the box. “Isabella, I can barely stand.”

She rolled her eyes. “Then don't stand there complaining. Walk.”

“My shoulder is injured.”

“And yet somehow you still have enough strength to argue with me.” She pushed the box closer to my chest. “You're my assistant now. I already told you that I'm giving you another chance, so don't make me regret it. Or should I call Favio and tell him his wife is too useless to help me carry a few papers?”

I tightened my arms around the box.

She smiled when I finally took it.

“See? You can be obedient when you want to.”

I didn't answer.

The university hall was already full when we arrived. Professors, medical students, hospital staff, and several important guests had gathered for Isabella's presentation. She walked confidently toward the center of the stage while I stayed at the back, carrying her extra documents and equipment.

She didn't introduce me.

At one point, one of the professors recognized me.

“Isn't that Donna Adeline Guerrero?”

Isabella turned toward him with a polite smile.

“She works with me.”

I lowered my eyes.

How did I end up here?

Six months ago, I had still been sitting beside Favio at business dinners, wearing diamonds he'd given me and watching Angelica run around our home. I had been his wife, the mother of his child, and the woman everyone believed would stand beside him for the rest of our lives.

Now I was standing at the back of a university hall with a bandaged shoulder, carrying another woman's belongings while she stood under the spotlight and accepted everyone's praise.

I stayed quiet because I no longer had the energy to defend myself.

...

When the presentation ended, the entire hall applauded. Isabella looked pleased with herself, soaking in the attention as if she had been born for it.

She walked over to me and handed me another stack of papers.

“Put these in the car.”

I took them without arguing.

“Okay.”

She watched me for a moment before smiling. “You're learning.”

I remained silent.

She tilted her head as if she had suddenly remembered something.

“Actually, there's one more thing I need you to do.”

I looked at her. “What?”

Her smile widened.

“Come with me.”

I followed her because I didn't have much choice. She led me through another building and down a quiet corridor. The farther we walked, the fewer people I saw.

Then I realized where we were going.

The university morgue.