Vesper returned home with both legs broken, greeted by a crowd of twenty to thirty family members who had gathered at the scene.
Right before Arthur and Ivy, Ethan stepped forward without hesitation, ready to personally carry Vesper to her wheelchair.
But the moment his hands reached for her, she twisted away, dodging his touch.
"Rick, if you wouldn't mind."
She turned to Rick, who nodded and carefully lifted her from the hospital bed onto the wheelchair, tucking a soft blanket around her with practiced ease.
Ethan froze for a split second before storming off, his face like stone.
Not far away, Luna lurked by another hospital room door, watching as Vesper basked in everyone's doting attention. Resentment burned like acid in her veins.
'Why her? If my parents were alive, all of this should have been mine.'
She seethed in silent rage until Ethan's gaze flicked her way. Instantly, she melted back into the fragile little flower the Grant family had fostered.
"Ethan." Her voice wobbled as tears streamed down her face. "No one came with me to the hospital. I had to come alone. My leg hurts so much."
Ethan did not spare another glance for Vesper. In three quick steps, he scooped Luna up and whisked her away.
Outside the hospital, a charcoal gray sedan waited at the curb, Vesper sitting motionless inside.
When the driver made no move to leave, she shot him a questioning look.
"Mr. Grant will be here any minute, Miss Lynd. No need to fret."
The driver figured she would still insist on waiting for Ethan, like always.
Before she could reply, her eyes locked onto the sight outside the window. Ethan strode confidently with Luna in his arms, the two sliding into a cherry red sports car where Magnus and his crew were already waiting.
The driver cleared his throat awkwardly. "Miss Lynd, should I call Mr. Grant?"
Vesper flashed a bright, humorless smile.
"No need. He has too many people to look after. Let's go. No point waiting. "
With that, she rolled up the window, blocking out the world she no longer cared to face.
Back at the Lynd Villa, finally rid of those glorified live-in suitors, Vesper stayed secluded for days. Everyone assumed she was just recuperating from her injuries.
Ethan, however, surprised her by showing up unannounced to check on her. She did not even pretend to care.
'Why bother with a man who would be irrelevant soon enough?'
Last time, she had been desperate, clinging to Ethan, smothering him, never letting him breathe.
This time, she cut the cord. Let them drown in each other. That life of misery would never be hers again.
"Still refusing to come out? What is her problem? Is she still sulking over Ethan?"
"Obviously. Just her usual spoiled brat act. She was clearly in the wrong last time. What right does she have to be angry?"
"Ethan, any news from James Hill? Did Luna get that role?"
"Still waiting. She's worn herself out running around these past days. You guys should talk to Ivy. The Hills and Lynds go way back. If Ivy personally steps in, it'll be smooth sailing."
"Got it. Luna is definitely up by now. We should have taken her to breakfast instead of freezing out here at this ungodly hour, like we owe Vesper anything."
"Enough. Keep it down. We're at the Lynd Villa. Do you want Ivy hearing this?"
The pack of live-in suitors lounged in the garden, complaining in hushed tones. Too spineless to leave without seeing Vesper, they maintained their charade of concern for the family's benefit.
Little did they know, the sleeping Vesper described by the butler stood on the balcony above, morning light glinting off her coffee cup as their every poisonous word carried upward.
These vipers had orchestrated her accidental fall down the stairs, pretended concern to her face, and then showed their true colors the moment her back was turned. Just watching their two-faced performance made her skin crawl.
Aksara