Their Betrayal Made Me His Bride

Chapter 4

At the end of the hallway, Shayne asked in a rush, "Winnie, what's going on? Did the Holts give you more money?"

"The Holts gave me a card." I pulled a black card out of my bag.

Shayne's eyes went wide instantly, thick greed practically oozing from his gaze. "I-Is this one of those unlimited black cards?"

"Mhm." I twirled the card between my fingers. "Sterling said it's my personal allowance. I figured Wren's gonna need a ton of money for follow-up treatment, so I thought..."

Shayne grabbed my wrist at once. "Winnie! You're seriously the best! I knew you loved Wren the most! Hurry, hand it over, I'll go pay the medical bills!"

He reached to snatch it, but I twisted my wrist and dodged. "Not so fast." I looked at him with ice-cold eyes. "This card has a PIN. And I'm the only one who knows it."

Shayne froze for a second, then forced a flattering smile. "Then just tell me the PIN. Or I can go withdraw the cash myself."

"No." I shook my head. "There's one thing I need you to do first."

"Anything! Just name it! I'd do anything for Wren, no matter what it takes!" Shayne swore solemnly.

I leaned closer and lowered my voice. "I want you to walk in there right now and slap Wren twice across the face."

Shayne's expression turned rigid, like he'd just heard some twisted joke. "Winnie... are you kidding me? She's your own little sister! She's still sick!"

My smile vanished. "You won't do it? Then I'll just put this card away." I made a move to slip it back into my bag.

Shayne panicked. "Wait! Don't! I'll do anything, as long as Wren gets saved!"

With that, he spun around and stormed into the ward. I followed behind, walking in slow and unhurried.

Wren was stunned at the sight of Shayne charging in so aggressively. "Shayne, what's wrong with you—"

Slap! A sharp c***k rang out, and Wren's face was smacked to the side.

She screamed, tears streaming down her face. "Shayne! What are you doing?!"

Shayne's hands were trembling after the hit. He didn't dare meet Wren's eyes and turned to me instead. "I did it, Winnie. Give me the card."

I stood by the door with my arms folded. Watching this farce of them tearing each other apart, I felt no satisfaction — just a hollow, endless sorrow. "That's not enough." I shook my head. "Too soft. I want you to hit her again. And while you're at it, call her a shameless bitch."

Shayne's face turned livid. "Winnie Jensen, don't push it!"

"You don't want the card anymore?" I wiggled the black card in my hand.

Shayne sucked in a deep breath, turned around, and raised his hand once more. "You b***h! You're nothing but a burden to Winnie!"

Slap!

"If it weren't for you, this sickly leech, Winnie would never have had to suffer!"

Slap!

Wren's hair fell in messy tangles. She sobbed and begged for mercy. "Stop! Please, Shayne, stop! Winnie! Help me!"

She stretched her hand toward me, her eyes full of terror and confusion.

I stood there, completely unmoved. I didn't stop until Wren's face was so swollen she could barely get a word out. Only then did I speak, slow and calm. "That's enough."

Shayne stopped, gasping for breath. "The card... give it to me." He held out his hand, his eyes bloodshot.

I smiled. Then I snapped the black card clean in half, right in front of him. "Oops. My bad. This card's worthless. It got canceled yesterday."

Shayne stood frozen, staring at the two broken halves on the floor until it finally sank in. "Winnie! You played me?! I'll f*****g kill you!"

I stayed right where I was. The second his hand was about to close around my neck, the ward door was kicked open with a brutal slam. Several bodyguards rushed in, pinned Shayne to the ground in seconds, and started beating him relentlessly.

Shayne struggled wildly, his face mashed flat against the floor. "Mr. Holt, please, show mercy! Just let me off easy!"

Sterling ignored him completely and turned to me. "Feeling better now?"

I looked down at Shayne, groveling like a dog on the floor, then at Wren, trembling violently on the hospital bed. "Not yet."

Sterling nodded, clearly satisfied with my answer. "Then we keep going."

He flicked his hand, and the bodyguards got the message — more punches, more kicks, raining down on Shayne.

Agonized screams echoed through the ward. Wren shrieked in terror and hid under the covers, too scared to even show her face.

I walked to the bed and ripped the blanket off in one jerk. "Don't hide, Wren. Take a good, hard look at your beloved boyfriend, reduced to this pathetic state."

Wren lifted her head, trembling. "Winnie... I'm sorry... I'm so sorry... I was forced into this... it was all Shayne... He seduced me! He said once we got the money he'd take me away... Please forgive me! I'm your own little sister!"

I stared at her hypocritical face and felt nothing but disgust. "Your own little sister? A real sister wouldn't sleep with her sister's boyfriend. A real sister wouldn't wish her own sister dead. Wren, have you thrown away every last shred of your conscience?"

I pulled a document out of my bag and tossed it straight at her face. "This is the hospital's notice suspending your medication. Starting today, I won't spend another cent on you. Whether you live or die — it's none of my concern anymore."