My Obsession Broke Me Until My Other Self Took Over

Chapter 4 Dragging Myself Back

The ringing of my phone woke me up. My head throbbed. I pressed my fingers against my temples, trying to ease the pain.

Adrian's impatient voice came through the line. "Ivy, what time is it? Why aren't you at the office yet? Do you think I'm paying you to sit around? Do you not have work to do, or are you just that idle?"

My throat burned like needles with every breath, but I forced myself to speak. "Mr. Vale, I have a fever," I said hoarsely. "I've already requested leave from HR." My voice was rough, but I still made sure every word was clear.

There was a long silence.

When he spoke again, his tone turned sharp and cold. "Everyone else still comes to work when they're sick. You're the only one resting at home like you're made of glass. If you're that weak, then don't work. Don't drag the company down with you. What do you think I'm paying you for? To sit at home and be useless?"

I swallowed the ache in my throat. "I'll be there soon, Mr. Vale," I said quietly. "I'm sorry for holding everyone back."

After washing up, I sat in front of the mirror and layered on foundation again and again, but nothing could hide the bruises on my face. In the end, I gave up. I found an old mask at the bottom of a drawer, put it on, and headed out.

Before I even reached the office door, I heard Adrian shouting inside. "What is wrong with all of you? You can't even handle something this simple?"

A timid voice, trembling on the verge of tears, answered, "Mr. Vale, Ivy used to handle this data. She's on sick leave today. It's my first time doing it."

"Where is Ivy?" Adrian snapped. "Why isn't she here yet?"

I pushed the door open and stepped inside. The moment he saw me, his anger flared again. "Ivy, if you can work, then work. If not, get out." He grabbed a file and threw it at me.

The sharp edge of the paper cut into the skin near my eye. Blood seeped through and stained my white mask.

"Ivy, you're bleeding," the girl exclaimed.

I raised a hand slightly, signaling her to stay quiet. "I'll reorganize the data, Mr. Vale," I said calmly. "I'll also retrain the team on how to handle this part moving forward."

His tone finally eased. "Fine," he said.

As I worked, I noticed the faint swelling at the corner of his eye.

I quickly organized the data and placed the files on his desk, then set a bottle of anti-inflammatory medication beside them.

The moment I stepped out of his office, the world spun. Then everything went dark.

When I opened my eyes again, I was already in the hospital.

"Ivy, you're awake," a colleague said with relief. "Mr. Vale told us to give you time off. You can come back once you're better. And... I'm sorry. He was in a bad mood this morning because Victor scolded him earlier."

"It's fine," I said quietly. "You should head back."

The room fell silent again.