Chapter 6

Matilda's face darkened instantly, but she couldn't lose her composure in front of everyone. Forcing a smile, she muttered, "Y-yeah, that's fine." As soon as she finished speaking, Theodore's phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID and quickly stepped out onto the terrace to answer. Gemma hadn't expected the carefully planned proposal to end like this. But her job was done—she could leave now. As soon as she turned to exit, Matilda stormed after her, blocking her path. "Gemma, you must be so pleased with yourself, huh?" Matilda hissed, gripping Gemma's wrist so tightly that her nails dug into the flesh. "Do you think Theodore called off the proposal because of you? Dream on! He despises you!" Gemma met her gaze calmly. "I never thought that. He promised to marry you, and I've given you my blessing. What more do you want?" "The only thing I want is for you to drop dead!" Matilda suddenly lowered her voice, a malicious gleam flashing in her eyes. "Tell me, if Theodore saw you trying to kill me, do you think he'd finish you off himself?" Before Gemma could react, Matilda suddenly pulled away and stumbled backward with a startled cry. Matilda tumbled down the steep staircase, landing hard on the marble floor below. A pool of blood quickly spread beneath her. In the hospital hallway, the operating room light burned bright. Theodore seized Gemma by the throat and slammed her against the wall. "Who the hell gave you the right to hurt Tilly?" He snarled between gritted teeth, his voice cutting like a blade. "Your father murdered mine, and now you want to follow in his bloody footsteps? My warnings meant nothing to you, huh?" She gasped for air, too weak to struggle. Just then, the operating room doors burst open. A doctor rushed out and spoke urgently. "The patient's lost too much blood—she needs an emergency transfusion!" Theodore immediately released Gemma and shoved her forward. "Take hers. They're the same blood type. Drain her dry if you have to—just don't kill her." Gemma was dragged into the transfusion room. A thick needle plunged into her vein, and crimson blood flowed through the tube. Her vision blurred slowly. In her final conscious moment, she thought she saw Theodore stride forward. But he abruptly stopped and turned away, his attention snapping back to Matilda. When she woke again, the ward was empty. Gemma fought to sit up, barely swinging her legs over the bed before Theodore burst in. In just a few strides, he closed the gap and seized her wrist with a grip so fierce it felt like he might crush the bone. "You're awake? Good. You're coming with me." She stumbled as she was yanked forward. The IV needle was torn from the back of her hand, leaving a trail of blood droplets. She instinctively fought back. "Let go..." Theodore ignored her, dragging her down the endless hallway. Barefoot, her feet slapped against the cold tiles, her hospital gown twisted and askew. The nurses passed by, eyes downcast, none daring to meet her gaze or step in. "What are you doing—Theodore!" She used all her strength to break free from his grip, her nails leaving bloody scratches on the back of his hand. He whirled around and slammed her against the wall. "Tilly nearly died because of you. She's barely hanging on, and you'd better apologize to her. Now." Gemma trembled all over, tears streaming uncontrollably down her face. "I didn't push her—" "The surveillance caught it all!" His voice cracked like a whip before he forced it lower. "You were at the top of the stairs. No one else was there when she fell!" She suddenly burst out laughing, with tears streaming down her face. "Then kill me," she rasped. "Kill me like the way your father died on my dad's operating table! Go on, kill me." Theodore's eyes narrowed, his grip tightening further. Gemma's vision blurred with pain, but she stubbornly held his gaze. In the tense silence, a faint cough came from Matilda's room. His expression hardened as he hauled Gemma into the room. "Apologize," he commanded, icy and unyielding. Gemma bit her lip hard, refusing to speak. He suddenly gripped the back of her neck, forcing her to look at Matilda lying on the hospital bed. Matilda's face was pale, a bandage wrapped around her forehead. When she saw Gemma, she flinched and shrank behind Theodore. "It's okay, Tilly," he murmured softly, brushing her cheek before turning sharply to Gemma. "Apologize." Gemma's vision blurred. Seeing Theodore protect Matilda suddenly stirred a memory from years ago. Back then, when she had a fever, he stayed by her bedside all night, tirelessly changing the ice-cold towels. "I…" Her voice caught, as if something was stuck in her throat. Theodore's grip tightened impatiently. The pain finally shattered Gemma's last shred of defiance. Her legs gave way, and she crumpled to her knees with a thud. "I'm sorry…" Tears splattered onto the floor. "It was my fault… I shouldn't have pushed you down the stairs…" A smug smile played on Matilda's lips as she leaned comfortably into Theodore's embrace. After speaking, Gemma gripped the bed rail and struggled to her feet, staggering toward the door. The loose hospital gown hung heavily on her slender frame, exposing jagged scars carved across her collarbone. Theodore's eyes followed her retreating figure, a sudden tightness gripping his chest. When did she get so thin? Her shoulder blades pressed sharply against the hospital gown. Her wrists were so fragile that they seemed ready to snap at any moment. "Theodore…" Matilda tugged weakly at his sleeve. "My head hurts…" He immediately tore his gaze away, bending to check her injury. By the time he looked up again, Gemma had vanished from the doorway.