Chapter 6
754 Words
Kate had no idea how many times she had been strapped to the treatment bed.
Electricity shot through her body, and she convulsed uncontrollably. Tears and sweat soaked through the sheets.
After the session, she was thrown back into the ward, curled up in the corner, trembling all over.
The door opened. Lucy walked in on high heels, her makeup perfect, completely out of place in this filthy room.
"This place is nice. It suits you."
Kate stared at her and said nothing.
Lucy stepped closer, leaned down, and whispered, "You've been so tense about Herry these days. I guess you already know he's your child.
"Did you ever wonder why Herry is so weak and has constant nightmares?"
Kate's pupils shrank sharply.
Lucy smiled and lifted her chin. "Herry has been poisoned with a slow-acting toxin. Even doctors can't detect it. He probably won't live much longer.
The other children will grow up and die in various accidents too.
"Barry will never notice. He'll only feel sorry for me, losing all these kids. His heart will be mine alone."
"You beast!"
Kate screamed and tried to pounce, but the restraints held her tight, cutting into her wrists until they bled.
Medical staff rushed in and pinned Kate down.
Lucy sneered, "Looks like the treatment isn't working. We need to increase it."
That night, Kate was dragged into the treatment room again.
She was returned early the next morning.
The door opened. Barry stood in the doorway, frowning at her state, a complicated look flashing in his eyes.
"Kate, I came to see you..."
"Don't worry. This hospital is safe. I've given instructions. Nothing will go wrong here."
"When you recover, we can still have our own children."
Barry stepped closer and reached out to touch her.
Kate flinched violently and pulled away, her eyes cold and guarded.
His hand froze in mid-air. Then he heard Kate chuckle.
"Barry, I regret it. I regret agreeing to your proposal. I regret saving you that year.
"If I hadn't saved you, none of this would have happened to me."
Barry froze, then his face turned dark.
He grabbed her wrist, threw her onto the bed, and pressed himself over her, kissing her roughly.
Kate struggled wildly. "Barry! Are you crazy?!"
He squeezed her chin and forced her to look at him. "Kate, you really know how to make me angry.
"But no matter how you act out, you can't change one fact.
"In this life, you're mine."
He leaned down, his breath brushing her neck. "You've always wanted another healthy baby, right? I'll give you one right now."
Kate shuddered and struggled even harder. "Let go of me!"
She slapped him hard across the face.
Barry's eyes turned cold. His grip on her wrists tightened.
His phone rang the next second.
It was Lucy.
Barry hesitated, then finally released Kate. "Get proper treatment. I'll come pick you up."
With that, he turned and left the ward.
Kate lay on the bed, her clothes in disarray, staring at the ceiling, laughing at herself.
See? You still choose her.
But she had long stopped hoping. So she wouldn't be disappointed.
On the fourth day of being locked in the hospital, Kate was nearly driven mad by the treatment.
In the middle of the night, the ward door was kicked open.
Kate thought they were taking her for electroshock again. She had no strength left to struggle.
"Kate!"
A familiar voice called.
She looked up sharply and saw a tall figure rush in.
It was James.
Tears burst from Kate's eyes before she could speak.
When James saw her condition, he immediately knelt down and held her gently, his voice choked. "I'm late, I'm sorry..."
Kate clutched his clothes and finally cried out loud.
Her brother took off his coat, wrapped her in it, and lifted her in his arms. "I'm taking you away."
Kate calmed down only after they left the hospital. "James, the other children..."
"Don't worry. My men have already taken them out. They're on a plane now."
She took a deep breath, suppressing her surging emotions, and turned to her brother. "James, where's the evidence?"
Her brother pulled out a USB drive. "Hospital newborn records for four years, recordings of Barry and Lucy bribing doctors to swap babies, purchase records of the toxins Lucy bought. It's more than enough to ruin them."
Kate took the USB drive. "James, let's go back in a few days."
"I want to give them a big farewell gift first."
- Writer
