“It wasn’t me! Walter, I didn’t poison her! I don’t know why my food was tainted—you have to believe me!”
But Walter’s hatred deafened him.
“Still denying it? Do you even know what kind of poison Grandma was given? Who else but your mountain town could have it?”
He was right—our family’s toxins were traditionally used for hunting, and few elders even made them anymore. They were never shared with outsiders.
But why would it appear in my food?
When the hot iron moved toward me again, I screamed and tried to turn my face away.
Walter ignored my plea and pressed it to my skin until he was satisfied.
Then he planted one foot hard on my chest, crushing me under his weight.
He knew my heart was weak, that even a shock could send me into painful spasms—and yet he pressed down mercilessly.
“Now you’re scared? Where was that fear when you poisoned Grandma?”
Without hesitation, he pressed the iron against my forehead. Smoke curled up as I lost consciousness, my body too weak to fight back any longer.
Just before I blacked out, I vaguely saw Carmen walk in. She rushed to Walter’s side, clutching his arm, her eyes wide with disbelief.
“I can’t believe Jada would poison Grandma. Maybe she just misunderstood us? Was this her way of… getting revenge?”
“Maybe when Grandma recovers, I should leave the country. I don’t want to come between you two.”
Walter rubbed his temples, tossed the iron aside, and touched Carmen’s forehead gently.
“This isn’t your fault, Carmen. That woman deceived me—I never saw her true face. The one who should leave is her, not you.”
“And you’re a doctor. Grandma’s life is in your hands. I promise you, once Grandma recovers, we’ll get married. Okay?”
Married?
He had once promised me—no matter what happened outside, he would never bring another woman into our lives. And now he was promising to marry someone else.
When I woke again, it was to a bucket of ice-cold water thrown over me.
Two bodyguards stood before me in suits, and between them sat Carmen, legs crossed, perched arrogantly on a chair.
“You’re awake? What a pity about that face. No wonder you managed to seduce Walter before.”
I stared up at her, my voice hoarse and pleading.
“Carmen, please call Walter. His grandmother’s poisoning wasn’t my doing. Let me out of here, please.”
The torture had nearly broken me earlier. All I wanted now was to clear my name.
Carmen looked at me like I was a dog begging its master.