Chapter 3 He Fed Me Poison
919 Words
'On purpose?'
Lydia found the accusation absurd, yet the heartbreak that followed was undeniable. She had always believed Ethan to be disciplined, rational, and intelligent. Now, he had lost all control because of Vivian.
"I didn't even know Vivian was your first love from college," Lydia said, clenching her hands and taking a deep breath. Her voice was cold and measured. "If you had told me sooner, I would have left this hospital and disappeared from both of your lives. Maybe… if I had known earlier that your heart already belonged to someone else, I never would have married you. And then… maybe I wouldn't have lost my baby…"
The thought of her child made Lydia's heart ache as though it were being torn apart. When she finished, Ethan froze, his gaze dropping to her stomach, grief flashing in his eyes.
Seeing that, Vivian stepped forward, guilt written across her face. "Dr. Lancaster, don't blame Ethan. Back then, I couldn't agree to be with him because of an accident, even though I…" Her words trailed off as tears welled up. She cast Ethan a lingering glance filled with affection, instantly relieving some of his guilt. "I would never destroy your relationship with Ethan. I only hope I can stay by his side for however long I have left."
Vivian gently handed Lydia the lunch container she had been carrying. "I specially made a nutritious meal for you. You should eat something healthy," she said softly.
Vivian opened the container like presenting a treasure, but Lydia only needed one glance to react. Her brows knitted tightly. The food was drenched in curry, and the pungent smell of onions hit her nose immediately, making her gag. She was severely allergic; even smelling these ingredients could trigger rashes.
Vivian seemed oblivious to her resistance and continued moving closer with the container.
"Get away from me!" Lydia shouted, slapping the container aside. Vivian stumbled back, crying out, but Ethan quickly caught her. Curry and onions splattered across the floor.
"What are you doing?" Ethan frowned, his displeasure obvious. "Vivian made a kind gesture and apologized, yet you refuse to accept it."
"I'm allergic to curry and onions. Don't you remember?" Lydia covered her mouth and nose as her throat began itching painfully, staring at Ethan in disbelief. He had always cooked at home for her. She could not believe he didn't know about her allergies.
"You're in a hospital. What could possibly happen?" Ethan said coldly.
It wasn't that he didn't know. He simply didn't care. The dull ache in Lydia's chest twisted into something sharp and vicious, churning through her heart until she could barely breathe. Still, she clenched her trembling hands and forced herself to remain composed, refusing to break down in front of them.
"If you want to eat it, eat it yourself. Don't force me to eat something so disgusting."
Her disgust and determination brought tears to Vivian's eyes and ignited Ethan's anger. His expression turned icy. Without warning, he scooped a piece of curry from the floor, grabbed Lydia by the shoulder, and shoved it forcefully into her mouth.
The overpowering artificial spice burned her nose and throat. Lydia struggled to spit it out, but Ethan clamped his hand over her mouth, leaving her no escape. He pinned her to the bed, his fingers bruising her cheeks.
"Swallow it," he ordered coldly.
Tears blurred Lydia's vision as she stared into his indifferent gaze, despair filling her heart. In the end, he forced her throat to swallow until the curry was gone. He finally let go, and Lydia collapsed against the bedside, coughing violently. Her chest heaved, her throat swelling so badly she could barely speak, and red rashes spread across her neck.
As he promised, Ethan immediately pressed the emergency call button. Nurses rushed in frantically, but he didn't spare Lydia a single glance. Calmly wiping his hands, he turned to Vivian. "Don't be upset. I'll apologize on her behalf. The curry tasted great. Thank you for making it."
"As long as Dr. Lancaster liked it," Vivian replied, smiling faintly before pressing a hand to her forehead in a fragile gesture. "My head hurts a little. Could you help me back to my room?"
"Of course."
Lydia lay there, oxygen tubes attached, miserable, tears streaming as she watched them leave together in each other's arms.
Fortunately, the medical intervention had arrived in time, and Lydia's life was not in danger. However, the rash remained, and her swollen face looked almost grotesque.
When Marcus and the bodyguards sent by Vincent saw her condition, their expressions turned cold and murderous.
"Miss Lancaster, should we deal with those two for you?" Marcus asked respectfully in a low voice.
Lydia closed her eyes briefly, raising a hand in refusal. She lowered her gaze to the divorce papers already signed. Taking the pen from the lawyer, she calmly added her signature beside Ethan's.
Marcus spoke from the side. "Ethan was completely focused on Vivian. I simply slipped the papers beside a diagnosis report he had to sign, and he signed them without looking."
Lydia let out a bitter laugh, the sound hollow in the empty room. Four years at Westbridge Medical University, three years of marriage, and seven years of love had disappeared as if they were nothing more than a fleeting dream.
She felt a sharp clarity settle over her. It was time to wake up from the illusion she had been living in and return to the life she truly deserved.
- Writer
