He Betrays Me, So I Take Revenge

Chapter 7

Shards flew, cutting Archer's skin.

Crimson liquid trailed down his cheek, snapping both of them back to their senses.

After a long silence, Archer left with only two words. "Calm down."

Samantha smiled self-deprecatingly. Without evidence, even reporting to the police would be useless.

Tears of regret fell in an unbroken stream, accompanying her through the long night...

The next day, Archer still appeared punctually in the hospital room.

He ruffled Samantha's hair lightly. "Don't stay mad. We can't accuse someone without proof, can we?"

Samantha kept her head lowered, silent.

Archer continued, "Don't worry, I'll definitely find a way to catch the culprit!

"We'll try another hospital. Your hand will heal eventually."

Only at the mention of her hand did Samantha react.

Her voice quivered. "Will it... really heal?"

Archer's heart ached. He knew better than anyone what Samantha dreamed of.

She wanted to become the most renowned comic artist.

Being unable to hold a brush was nothing short of a devastating blow to her.

He said earnestly, "Trust me, I'll do everything I can to heal your hand."

And so, Archer stayed in the hospital room to take care of Samantha.

Watching him tirelessly bustle about, Samantha felt a turmoil she couldn't name.

There was no going back, yet she couldn't bring herself to let go either.

*****

Then came the day Archer wheeled her out for a checkup.

Midway, he answered a call, his expression shifting repeatedly.

Samantha's heart skipped a beat. The next second, she heard Archer's hesitant voice. "Sweetheart, there's an issue with a document. I need to rush back to the company. Wait here for me, okay?"

Samantha retorted, "You're saying I should go for the checkup alone?"

He replied, "The line's so long. It'll take forever. Stay in line first. I'll definitely be back before your turn."

Now, even his excuses were recycled.

Watching his hurried departure, Samantha followed.

A short while later, Archer strode into the outpatient clinic, as if he'd done it a hundred times before.

He asked, "How is she?"

The doctor scribbled notes. "Nothing serious. She's on her period."

Jessica's eyes were red, her voice pitiful. "It's agonizing..."

Archer sighed and placed his hand on Jessica's abdomen, kneading it with practiced hands.

He said, "I told you not to eat cold things last month, and now look what happened."

Jessica cooed, "But I just couldn't resist..."

Jessica melted into Archer's arms with a pout: "I can't walk anymore. Will you carry me?"

Samantha stood around the corner, watching as Archer swept her up in his arms.

Her fingers dug into the wall with such force that her nails nearly gouged into the hard tiles.

Archer's movements were natural and practiced, as if he'd done this a thousand times before.

Samantha felt like invisible hands were crushing her heart, and her breath caught in her throat.

Onlookers kept murmuring.

"They're such a perfect pair."

"Look at the man. He'd take her pain for her in a heartbeat."

"How lucky she is."

Samantha wanted to scream that this wasn't right, that she was Archer's real girlfriend!

But in the end, she simply closed her eyes and choked back the bitterness.

Perhaps if it hurt just a little more, she'd find the courage to walk away.

Just then, her phone buzzed with another message from Jessica: Fourth time, by the way. It doesn't matter how badly you need him. He still picked me.