Chapter 6: Wounds on Display

After that, Derek never came to see me again.

Days blurred into nights. I lost myself in the routine of caring for Sammy, counting pills, making doctor’s appointments. It was easier not to think about Derek at all.

I only heard he bought Lillian a gorgeous wedding dress and an expensive diamond ring, and took her home to meet his mother.

His mother always got what she wanted—dinners at the country club, perfect photos for the social column, a daughter-in-law with pedigree. Lillian fit right in.

I heard his mother liked Lillian very much, and Derek said he would marry no one but her in this life.

Our classmates all sighed, "I really envy Lillian, to be cherished by a man like Derek."

The envy was thick as honey—every girl at the reunion gushed over their photos on social media, writing comments about how perfect they looked together.

"But Lillian is a good woman too, gentle and generous. When she heard Natalie was struggling now, she wanted to give her some money to help her."

I heard the pity in their voices. I hated it. I wanted to scream that I didn’t need anyone’s charity.

"Such a kind woman deserves to be protected for a lifetime..."

I looked at the messages in the classmates’ group chat, my heart pounding hard, and had a bad feeling.

The words danced on my phone screen. I gripped my battered iPhone, my hands sweaty.

Until I went to the hospital and heard from the nurse that Derek and Lillian had come to see Sammy.

The young nurse apologized to me, saying she accidentally told Lillian that Sammy didn’t have a father.

I heard Lillian ask Sammy, "Sweetie, I heard your dad doesn’t want you and your mom anymore, is that true?"

She squatted down next to his bed, her smile sweet but her eyes cold. "You know, your mom is very pitiful. To treat your illness, she drinks with all kinds of men every day, very dirty. Actually, it’s normal for your dad not to want a woman like that..."

Sammy shouted at her, "You’re lying! You’re the dirty one! My mom and I don’t want your money, leave!"

His voice was small but fierce, and it made me want to cry. I rushed in, trembling. Lillian turned and saw me, froze, frowned, and said, "Natalie, look at your child. I just wanted him to know how hard you work, and he got mad at me, so immature..."

Before Lillian finished, I grabbed her hair and slapped her twice, dragged her to the door, and pushed her into the corridor.

My hands shook, but I couldn’t stop. I pointed at her nose and snapped, "Lillian, do you have to mess with me?"

She covered her face, not believing I dared hit her.

She pretended to be innocent, choking up as she said, "Natalie, I just wanted to help you, that’s all."

Her voice trembled, and a few nurses peeked out from their stations. "Derek didn’t want to care about you, but he listens to me, and knows I’m kind. If he didn’t help, I’d feel guilty."

"I really wanted to help you, but now you hit me. Derek will be mad at you again..."

I looked at Lillian and sneered. So, she came to show off.

She just couldn’t help wanting me to know how much Derek loved her, more than he loved me.

Looking at her ridiculous face, I said coldly, "Lillian, you want Derek? He’s just a man, I’ll give him to you. But you’re never satisfied, you have to provoke me, right?"

Then I grabbed her by the collar and hissed, "Mess with me again, and I swear you’ll regret it."

"If you dare keep provoking me, I’ll definitely wish you and Derek a happy marriage—and by the way, tell him the child I gave birth to is his."

"Guess, will he still want you?"

Lillian froze. I watched her face turn pale, and gritted my teeth at her: "Now, go apologize to my son, then get out."

Just as I finished, Derek opened the ward door and came out. He pulled my arm away from her, and I lost my balance, slamming my back into the wall.

He looked down at me, smiling as he asked, "Natalie, how come I don’t know that which woman I want to marry depends on your mood?"

His smile was twisted, his voice tight. "My wife marries me—does she need your permission? Who do you think you are?"