Chapter 5

Henry replied instantly, "Alright. I'll pick you up in three days." Seeing his message, Lexi finally felt a bit more at ease. Due to her weak body, she stayed in the hospital for three more days after the abortion to recover. It wasn't until the day she was discharged that Jeremy finally showed up. "Lexi, I'm sorry. Tricia's been on her period these past few days and has really bad cramps. It's so bad that she can't even walk. Every time I try to leave, she gets anxious." Lexi had her back to him as she packed her things. She hummed noncommittally in reply. Jeremy could tell her tone was distant and went over to hug her from behind, promising, "It was out of line for you to drug her last time. I've been reflecting on my own behavior, too. I shouldn't have lost my temper like that… But don't worry. It won't happen again. "I know you hate Tricia because you're in love with me, but there's really nothing going on between us. We're just friends. And don't forget that you're still my wife. What are you so afraid of?" If he could see Lexi's face right now, he'd see just how disgusted she looked. They had already slept together, and that was still "nothing"? Did Tricia have to show up with a baby bump before it counted? But honestly, none of it mattered to Lexi anymore. She'd be gone in a few days anyway, so there was no point in wasting energy arguing over this crap. "What's done is done. I don't want to talk about it anymore. Aren't you here to take me home? Let's go." Jeremy was a little frustrated that she didn't even crack a smile at him. But it didn't matter. Once Tricia left, he'd give her a nice surprise. Then, they could start fresh again. He wouldn't bring up anything she'd done in the past. Everything that had happened over these past few days made it clearer than ever that he only saw Tricia as a friend. Lexi was the one he truly loved. He helped carry her bag as they left the hospital. They happened to run into her doctor in the hallway. "Ms. Shaw, is this your husband? Didn't you say..." Worried the doctor might mention the abortion, Lexi quickly cut in, "Thank you for everything these past few days. I'm feeling much better now, so I'll go ahead and free up the bed." She grabbed Jeremy's arm and walked away before the doctor could say another word. The moment she stepped through the door at home, Tricia's mocking voice greeted her. "It's been three years, Lexi, but you're still as pathetic as ever." Lexi shot her a cold look in warning and turned to head upstairs to pack. But what Tricia said next made her stop. "I was the one who drugged him three years ago, and I was also the one who told you to go to that bar and find him. I knew Jeremy loved me, but there was no guarantee he wouldn't fall for someone else after I left. Since I'd always known you liked him, I just used a little trick. "Jeremy is a responsible man. He slept with you, so of course, he'd marry you. But because of the drug incident, you lost any chance of ever getting his real love." As she spoke, Tricia walked right up to Lexi, deliberately letting her strap slip off her shoulder, revealing the fresh hickey on her chest. "You looked after Jeremy for three years, and I do appreciate that. But now that I'm back, it's time for you to leave. You've got no one here in Tenby, and you can't afford to mess with me. So I'm telling you now to pack your things and get out." Lexi's whole body trembled with rage. So, all of this had been Tricia's setup from the start. She slapped Tricia across the face, her eyes cold and sharp. "As long as I'm still in this house, you're the mistress. If you push me too far, no one's walking away clean." Tricia was stunned. Her head was spinning, and her eyes were full of fury. She was just about to slap Lexi back when she saw Jeremy walk through the door. Instantly, her eyes filled with tears. "Lexi, Jeremy and I are really just friends. That night was a total misunderstanding. Please don't tell anyone." One second she was apologizing, the next she was on her knees, banging her head on the floor and begging for forgiveness. Before Lexi could even respond, Jeremy rushed in and shoved her hard. She was still recovering from the abortion, and her body was weak. That push knocked her straight to the ground. Jeremy helped Tricia up and glared at Lexi furiously. "Lexi, what is wrong with you? I explained everything. Why can't you just let it go? If word gets out about what happened that night, how is Tricia supposed to live with herself?" Tears welled up in her eyes. She bit her lip and asked, "Jeremy, do you even care what really happened? Are you just going to believe everything she says without question?" His fists clenched tightly at his sides. Seeing her so broken stirred something in him. But in the end, he still chose to stand by Tricia. "I believe what I saw with my own eyes. Apologize to Tricia and promise you'll never lay a hand on her again." Lexi let out a mocking laugh. She stood her ground. "I didn't do anything wrong. I'm not apologizing. The ones in the wrong are you two." Whatever guilt Jeremy might've felt vanished in that instant. He stared down at her coldly. "You're apologizing, Lexi—whether you want to or not." He called for the bodyguards. A few of them came in and grabbed her by the arms. "If you don't say sorry, I'll have no choice but to punish you. You won't survive 99 lashes." He thought that would make her cave. But Lexi held her head high. "I did hit her, and that's because she deserved it, but I didn't threaten her. Jeremy, if you lay a finger on me today, I swear you'll regret it."