They Cuffed Me, I Destroyed Their World

Chapter 4

When Adele opened her eyes again, she was in a general hospital ward.

Her entire body ached, and even breathing hurt. The wounds were bandaged, but the memory of the incident made every breath painful.

The ward door opened. Dora walked in with a sweet smile. "Adele, wake up. The sun's already burning your bottom!"

A nurse followed and placed medication on the table. "Take this and rest well."

She left.

Adele looked at Dora, who had sat down uninvited, and said coldly, "What are you doing here?"

Dora did not answer. She stared at the medicine and asked, "What is this? Is it tasty?"

She reached out. Adele quickly snatched it, swallowed it with water, and said coldly, "Don't touch it."

Dora pouted.

Adele was about to expel her when a sudden sharp cramp hit her abdomen. She clutched her stomach as cold sweat broke out.

The pain intensified rapidly. She curled up, groaning.

Nausea surged. She tried to reach the bathroom, but her vision went black and she collapsed.

All she saw were Dora's feet.

"Adele?" Dora's voice drifted down.

"What did you do to the medicine?" Adele forced out.

Dora blinked. "I swapped it for candy. Don't you like it?"

The alarm blared. Staff rushed in and took her to emergency. After tests, the doctor said, "Drug poisoning. Gastric lavage immediately!"

The procedure felt like her organs were being torn apart. She cried in pain.

After treatment, she lay motionless.

Henry sat by the bed. Adele reached for him. "Henry..."

He pulled back.

"Adele, don't blame Dora. This is your apology to her. You should be grateful."

Adele stared at him in disbelief.

She tried to explain Dora's actions during the accident and the medication swap, but her throat was too damaged to speak.

"You know, if Dora hadn't pulled me out of that fire, you wouldn't have a brother."

Xavier entered. "Dora already apologized. She didn't mean it. She has the mind of a three-year-old child. Be more forgiving."

"She did mean it." Adele forced out the words. "Why won't you believe me?"

Henry snapped, "Enough!"

Xavier patted her shoulder. "Stop this. Dora already feels guilty. Don't make it worse. Rest first. We'll go see Charlie when you recover."

At the mention of Charlie, Adele stiffened.

She bit her lip until it bled.

She felt as if she had been shattered beyond repair.