Drowning in Memories

Chapter 5 Ivy's Call

Clara was rushed to the ICU that night—her wounds severely infected, with heavy bleeding threatening her life. The doctors issued an emergency critical care notice right away.

When the medical team found her wounds had been coated with burning-hot chili paste, they brought in specialists for urgent treatment.

By the next day, after Clara stabilized and was moved out of the ICU, Matthew—who had disappeared without a word all night—finally showed up. The fresh hickeys blooming on his neck were impossible to ignore.

Gina saw red. She couldn't hold back any longer and slapped him hard across the face.

Matthew's head snapped sharply to the side. Wiping blood from his split lip, his face turned cold as steel.

"Do you have any idea what Ivy did? She pulled a sick, twisted prank and landed Clara in the ICU—the doctors even issued a critical care warning!"

Matthew hung his head, his expression hidden, yet his voice remained chillingly calm. "I know. I've sent her overseas. No one will hurt Clara ever again."

Gina let out a cold, disgusted laugh. 'Sent her overseas? She belongs in jail!'

But remembering how hopelessly Clara had loved him, she held her rage back. "I'm warning you—you were nothing before Clara took you in. Without the Sharps, do you honestly think the Colemans would've let you climb this high? Even a stray dog knows who feeds it."

Gina jabbed a finger straight at him, and Matthew took every bitter word, his fists clenched tight behind his back. "Just tell me where Clara is."

Her anger fading, Gina gritted her teeth and said, "She's back home, under the care of her personal doctors and nurses. As for you—"

Before she could finish, Matthew sprinted straight to the Sharp estate.

Inside, Clara sat propped up in bed, sipping chicken soup, when Matthew burst in—disheveled, breathless, panic etched across his face. She already knew Ivy had been exiled overseas.

'A man always treats the woman he loves differently. He had never let her get hurt—the same way he shielded Ivy. But me? I'm just disposable.'

Matthew caught his breath and stepped inside. Something felt off, though he couldn't put it into words, and he quickened his pace without realizing it.

At the sight of the empty, hollow look in Clara's eyes, guilt washed over him for the very first time. No matter how cruelly he had treated her, she had never looked at him like this.

"Clara, don't worry—it's all taken care of. You'll be satisfied with the outcome."

With that, he rushed off again. Clara stared numbly at his retreating figure, wearing the suit she had personally designed and tailored for him.

Once, seeing him wear her designs would fill her with joy and keep her up all night. Now… it meant absolutely nothing.

She took a sip of the chicken soup, only to find it had gone cold. There was no point forcing down something bitter; a fresh bowl would be better. It was a hard lesson she was finally learning.

That night, Ivy somehow got hold of Clara's number and called relentlessly.

When Clara finally picked up, Ivy screamed through her tears, "Clara, do you think you've won? You think freezing my cards and sending me overseas means I'll bow down to you? Dream on! Matthew only loves me! You're just a schemer trying to steal him! I'll make you pay dearly for this!"

Clara hung up coldly.

The next day, when Matthew came to visit and peel apples for her, Clara played the audio recording.