He Betrays Me, So I Take Revenge

Chapter 6

A dull thud echoed as searing pain erupted from Samantha's wrist, radiating to every nerve ending!

"Ah!" A piercing scream split the air. Samantha's vision darkened from the agony, leaving her no strength to struggle further.

Her right hand twisted at an unnatural angle, like a grotesque monster's claw.

What terrified her more was her completely unresponsive fingers.

She tried to lift her wrist but couldn't move it.

Tears and mucus smeared her face, her cries of pain trapped in her throat, reduced to ragged gasps.

"Let's go. Leave her."

In the darkened room, Samantha was left utterly alone. "H-Help... me..."

She knew staying here meant a death sentence!

Crawling forward inch by inch, she dragged her broken body across the floor.

Her right hand dangled limply, each scrape against the ground sending stabbing pain through her.

Cold sweat soaked her back, mixing with blood and leaving a long, bloody trail behind her.

When she finally reached the doorframe, her strength gave out. Her chin slammed hard against the floor.

Her teeth sank into the soft flesh of her cheek, the pain making her shudder violently.

The iron taste of blood flooded her mouth.

"Is... anyone... help... me..."

Struggling to call for aid, she finally succumbed to the pain. She passed out, darkness swallowing her vision.

*****

She awoke in a hospital.

Her right hand was encased in a thick cast, her jaw tightly bandaged, leaving her nearly immobile.

Archer watched her nervously. "You're awake, babe! Are you in pain anywhere?"

"What happened to my hand?" The first words Samantha uttered upon regaining clarity were about her hand.

Archer hesitated but told her the truth. "Nerve damage... The doctor said it's irreversible..."

Those words confirmed her deepest fear.

She could never paint again.

Tears spilled abruptly, splashing onto her pale, lifeless right hand.

Then, out of nowhere, she laughed.

Her eyes reddened, her shoulders shook, and tears streamed uncontrollably.

She realized that despair wasn't a sudden collapse, but a slow, excruciating unraveling.

Archer's heart ached at the sight, and he reached out to comfort her.

But then, he met Samantha's eyes, filled with unmistakable hatred.

"It was Jessica!" she spat. "She did this to me!"

Archer froze, instinctively denying it. "How? There's no bad blood between you."

"Don't you know if we do or not?!" Samantha shrieked hoarsely, tears streaming down her pallid cheeks in fat droplets.

She was consumed by despair and frenzy.

Archer had never seen her like this before, nor could he see what this matter had to do with Jessica.

He wondered if there was some misunderstanding.

He said, "Babe, calm down. I've already called the police. Let's wait for their investigation results, okay?

"I don't think Ms. Donovan is involved. She's innocent. You can't blame others out of anger.

"Don't worry, even if your hand is ruined, I won't leave you."

Under Archer's word-by-word coaxing, Samantha gradually resurfaced from her frenzy.

Archer felt slightly relieved, thinking she had calmed down.

But then, Samantha stared straight at him, her eyes hollow of all light.

"So you believe Jessica, but not me. Is that it?"

Her voice was as light as a falling feather, yet it pierced Archer's heart with an inexplicable chill.

"I know you're hurting, but we must be objective..."

Samantha was past hearing. She grabbed a nearby water glass and slammed it with full force in Archer's direction, leaving shards scattered across the floor.

"Get lost! Get out of here!"