Rift in the perfect picture

Chapter 0163

The corridors in the hospital were red and eene The dim yellow lights had yet to switch to the bright daylight mode, so only my faint shadow, which seemed ready to wash at any moment, trailed behind me as i staggered to the top floor of the hospital where the

private wards were located

As my heart pounded, my body gradually warmed up after spending an entire night in the fire escape. My icy feet also started to wake up

as fran

heard him coughing in the room. I wrestled with myself, wondering if 1 should pour him a glass of water when I entered.

While I hesitated, a sharp, tingling sensation shot through the soles of my feet. It felt as if my legs were disconnected from my upper body, and I couldn’t move.

Nicholas was still coughing. Feeling helpless, I lifted the hem of my long dress. I could only ensure my feet were still there by checking

them.

Trudging on the thick carpet, I was unsure whether the searing pain in my body or his coughs was more agonizing to me.

A series of soft footsteps suddenly echoed from the ward, followed by the sound of hot water being poured into a cup.

“You’re hurting yourself,” said a pleasant voice which was tinged

with concern.

1 froze. Baffled, I gaped at the slightly ajar door from a distance. It seemed to be left open deliberately to avoid suspicion.

As my legs slowly recovered, a suffocating tightness settled in my

chest. I straightened up, realizing that it was Jasmine.

A satisfied sigh left Nicholas’s lips after he drank the water. “I’m doing it all for Claudia.”

Jasmine chuckled. “But you’re severely injured. Your kidney would’ve been pierced if she had been a bit closer. What would you do then?”

Her coquettish laughter sounded particularly grating remained rooted on the carpet, feeling even colder than when I was in the fire escape last night.

I wanted to intervene, but my vocal cords seemingly froze at that moment. I couldn’t utter a word. What did he mean by doing it for Claudia?

I heard every word Nicholas said, but I couldn’t understand what he meant when they were put together.

Sounding awkward, he cleared his throat and said, “I know what I’m doing. If I didn’t get hurt, how would she pity me?”

“I’m really jealous of Claudia for having a brother like you. But your wife is quite pitiful. I saw her earlier when I came with Frances today. You’ll have to coax her when you see her again.”

Nicholas chortled, his voice thick with confidence as he replied, “I know her well enough. She’s stubborn, but she loves me.”

I was grateful that I was wearing such a large dress. I clenched the hem tightly, venting my anger on the fabric. Otherwise, I couldn’t guarantee that I wouldn’t end up slapping Nicholas in the next second.

I imagined how smug and triumphant he must’ve looked as he boasted about my love for him to another woman. The way he

spoke so flippantly about love sullied such a sacred word.

“Oh my!” Jasmine exclaimed. “Love? I never thought that I’d hear that word from you. Don’t you despise it?”

“I don’t. Everyone has emotions, including love.”

“Nick, you’ve changed. So, do you love your wife?” Jasmine asked.

But Nicholas didn’t answer her immediately. He finally replied after a few breaths, “I don’t have such deep feelings for her. Love is a luxury, but being with her right now feels good. I find it refreshing.”