Chapter 3: Saved Her
1367 Words
At that moment, no matter who was calling, to Alice, they were her savior!
Her hands trembling, she quickly answered the phone. Before she could speak, a deep male voice came from the other end. "Alice."
She felt the voice was familiar, yet she couldn’t place where she had heard it before.
"Whoever you are... If you save me, I'll reward you..."
She clenched her teeth, forcing herself to speak.
The man on the other end fell silent for a moment. "Where are you?"
"I’m..."
Before Alice could finish her sentence, the door to her room suddenly burst open, and the faces of Sara and David reappeared before her.
"You dare to make a call!"
As soon as David saw the phone in his hand, he charged over with fury, grabbing it and smashing it to the ground under his heavy foot.
"I knew I wasn’t mistaken."
Sara, dressed in Alice’s pajamas, leaned against the doorframe, sneering coldly.
"You will both die a horrible death!"
Alice lay on the floor, her eyes glaring at them as though they could cut through steel.
It was her carelessness that had led to this. Otherwise, how could these two wretches have forced her into this situation?
"I will make sure you regret being alive!"
David spoke coldly, and suddenly, he grabbed Alice’s chin, forcing her mouth open and shoved a pill into it.
The pill dissolved instantly in her mouth, and she didn’t even have time to spit it out.
Her mind quickly became hazy—what had David just made her swallow?!
Did he wish for her to die?!
Alice didn’t know whether she had died or not, but in her blurry state, she vaguely saw a tall, familiar figure burst in, kick David aside, and then scoop her up, carrying her away.
...
When Alice woke up again, she found herself in a hospital room. She opened her eyes and saw only white around her. Her memories of what had happened before she lost consciousness came rushing back to her mind.
The things David and Sara had done to her were vivid in her memory, making her body tremble with anger and her eyes bloodshot. She swore she would make those two bitches pay!
"You're awake?"
A pleasant male voice came from nearby.
Following the voice, she turned her head to see Lucas sitting by the window, dressed in a white shirt and black trousers, his posture relaxed as he gazed at her.
"How come it's you?" Alice asked instinctively.
"Why can't it be me?" Lucas narrowed his eyes. "What, now that I've helped you, are you going to pretend it never happened?"
Alice pursed her lips. "Thank you for saving me."
Lucas replied, "On the phone, you said that if I saved you, you’d reward me."
"How much do you want?"
"Do you think I lack money?" he retorted.
Alice fell silent, unable to find the words.
She had nothing to offer Lucas except for money.
"So, what is it that you want?"
"I want you."
Alice froze, gazing at Lucas in astonishment. After a long pause, she scoffed, "Are you out of your mind? Want me? " I’m a married woman, far from youthful—what is wrong with you?"
"If 25 is considered old, then I must be an old man myself," Lucas replied calmly.
Alice furrowed her brow. "You've even done research on me?"
"Your reputation as a brilliant designer precedes you. " I didn’t need to look it up," Lucas replied with a soft chuckle.
Alice was a renowned young designer in M City, and by the age of 25, she had already become a student of the celebrated designer, Brook. Her fame was growing so rapidly that it even eclipsed her husband's, and given her workaholic nature, it was no wonder that David had strayed. After all, a woman like Sara could easily evoke a man’s instinct to protect.
"I want a divorce from David."
Alice said coldly. "I have enough evidence now to prove his infidelity and domestic abuse."
She was relieved that she had installed the cameras beforehand. Everything David had done to her the previous day had been captured.
"Getting a divorce is possible…" Lucas said, clearing his throat. "But he might need to limp his way out."
Alice frowned. "Why?"
Just as Lucas was about to speak, the door to the hospital room burst open, and a woman stormed in, her voice sharp with outrage and panic. “Are you okay? That scumbag David dared to lay hands on you! I swear I’ll beat him so bad he won’t even have his underwear left!”
Alice froze for a moment before grabbing Valentina’s hand. “What are you doing here?”
“Someone called me, said you were here…” Valentina’s eyes were still red, and as she spoke, her gaze fell on Lucas, who was seated nearby. Her expression shifted instantly to one of astonishment, her eyes widening in disbelief. “Wait—did I walk into the wrong room?”
“I’ll take my leave now. Call me if you need anything.”
Lucas stood, picking up the jacket draped over the chair’s armrest. With a calm indifference, he uttered the words, then strode out of the room without sparing Valentina another glance.
It wasn’t until the door clicked shut behind him that Valentina turned to Alice, her voice full of incredulity. “Oh my god, how did you end up getting involved with Lucas?" I knew something was up yesterday when you suddenly asked about him! Don’t tell me you managed to drag him into your bed!”
“Stop asking so many questions,” Alice said, wincing as the pain in her body intensified. She hadn’t dared to complain while Lucas was in the room. “Help me check—do these injuries count as evidence of domestic abuse?”
Valentina’s focus shifted immediately. She carefully examined the bruises and cuts that marred Alice’s body. Her face turned grim as she observed the darkened patches of skin and the few spots where blood had dried. It was obvious she had been beaten.
“If this doesn’t count, then what does?” Valentina said indignantly. I’ll talk to the doctor later to get a report. You can retrieve the video recordings afterward—everything will be fine!”
“That’s a relief…” Alice let out a breath, as if a heavy weight had been lifted from her chest.
Valentina’s gaze lingered on Alice’s battered frame, her voice tinged with heartache.I told you from the beginning not to marry David, but you wouldn’t listen. And look where that’s gotten you. It’s only been a few years, and now this… Your love life, honestly, I don’t even know where to start. First, it was Jack, and now it’s David—”
She continued to ramble, oblivious to the slip she had made until she noticed Alice’s stiffened expression. Valentina suddenly realized what name she had uttered and stopped, her face turning awkward.
“Alice,” she asked cautiously, “be honest with me.” Do you still think about Jack?”
Alice lowered her gaze, her expression unreadable. It was a long moment before Valentina heard her answer. “What’s the point of remembering him? We’ve both been married for years now.”
Valentina bit her lip. “But this situation… Have you considered telling your mother? If you tell her everything, she’ll definitely help you.”
Alice looked up, her pale face curving into a faint, bitter smile. A wave of nausea churned in her stomach as the memory of the pill David had forced her to take resurfaced. She guessed she must have undergone gastric lavage by now.
Valentina hesitated, wanting to say something, but the words caught in her throat when she saw the fragile yet resolute expression on Alice’s face.
Alice had planned to wait until her injuries healed before returning to collect evidence. But before she could act, both she and her design studio were suddenly thrust into the headlines.
Her newly designed drafts had been stolen and published by someone else. Overnight, Alice was labeled a plagiarist, her reputation tarnished.
- Writer
