My words broke off as his hand clamped around my jaw, forcing my face up to his.
“Because of what you said, Debbii’s neck was slashed open. The doctor said it was only a fraction away from the artery! I told you, Hedy—she didn’t do it on purpose. But you refused to believe me! Today, until Debbii’s surgery is over, no one is letting you out of this cold storage. As for your mom…” His eyes hardened to steel. “Pray she survives until you’re released.”
Even as I trembled violently in the icy air, his expression remained unmoved.
“Bryson, please,” I begged, tears streaming down my face, my throat burning from the cold. “I’ll apologize to Debbii. Just send someone to the hospital to pay the bills. I’m begging you, Bryson! Mom won’t make it!”
But he only looked at me with those frozen eyes, then turned and stepped out without hesitation.
Before the door closed, I summoned every ounce of strength left in me, glaring at him with hatred.
“Bryson! I swear I will hate you for the rest of my life!”
His body gave a faint tremor, but in the end, the heavy cold-storage door slammed shut firmly.
Hedy’s POV
When I opened my eyes again, everything felt numb.
Bryson’s face lit up with relief the moment he saw me.
“Hedy, you’re finally awake,” he said, his voice brimming with joy.
His eyes softened with pity as he carefully gathered me into his arms, just like he used to—like nothing about Debbii had ever happened.
“Give me back my phone.”
I pushed him away hard, my expression blank, my voice flat.
For a second, his expression stiffened. Then, forcing a placating smile, he said softly, “Hedy, I’ve already paid for your mom’s treatment. She’s fine now.”
I didn’t reply. I simply held out my hand, palm up, demanding.
His face darkened. Still, he placed the phone into my palm.
“Hedy, I know you’re still thinking about what happened yesterday,” he said, voice lowering, “but you were the one who made a mistake. You should apologize to Debbii.”
I let out a cold laugh.
“Apologize to Debbii? I was the one locked in a freezing storage room. My mom was the one who almost died. And you want me to apologize to her?”
He hadn’t expected me to explode like that; his face turned cold.