Amaris’s voice cut through the hospital room, sharp and cold, like a blade meant to wound.
“By then, all the land that old man left behind will be ours!”
Silas rubbed his hands together, eyes gleaming with excitement.
My heart clenched a storm of hatred and suffocating fear threatening to swallow me whole.
I steadied my breath and forced a mask of indifference over my face.
“I’m not dead yet. Stop wailing like you’re mourning me.”
Amaris froze, clearly not expecting my response.
But, like a switch, she quickly regained her composure, slipping back into her façade of simplicity and sincerity.
She brought a bowl of dark, murky herbal medicine to me.
“Here, drink this while it’s hot. It’ll make you feel better.”
She reached for my forehead and the coolness of her fingertips jolted me back to reality.
A faint, cheap scent of cosmetics and lingering traces of cigarette smoke clung to her, marking her in a way I hadn’t noticed before.
I turned my head slightly, avoiding her gaze and spoke hoarsely.
“I’m fine. I’ll drink it later…”
Amaris paused, taken aback for a moment.
Then, without missing a beat, she smiled, scooping up a spoonful and bringing it to my lips.
“You’re as stubborn as a mule. Why fight with me over this? Just drink it. Silas will be here soon.”
She tried to feign concern, but her eyes remained fixed on my face as though appraising the value of something precious.
I took stock of my condition, silently weighing my options. Now wasn’t the time to rise against them.
After all, the debts from my past life would slowly but surely be paid in full.
Forcing back the wave of nausea, I opened my mouth and let the bitter concoction slide down my throat.
It was unbearable, far worse than anything I had ever tasted in my past life.
Just then, footsteps echoed outside. Amaris turned eagerly toward the door, only to quickly remember something. She glanced back at me, trying to reassure me with a forced smile.
"Stop being so stubborn. Silas agreeing to help us is already a great favor."
She wore a pitiful expression as though on the verge of tears.
"Do you really think I want to bring an outsider into our home?"
I couldn't stomach her act any longer. I simply closed my eyes.
"Alaric, are you alright? I heard you coughing from far away. You really need to take care of yourself."
A man peered in from the doorway, short, dark-skinned, with an uneasy yet ingratiating smile.