"Blake, I know that punishing Elaine so harshly all these years for my sake—the one who suffered the most was really you."
"I let go of what happened a long time ago. It's my fault Elaine went through so much. Once I'm discharged, I'll leave. Just promise me you'll make it up to her, okay?"
Blake clasped her hand, his face brimming with emotion.
"Agatha, you're truly kind. If only Elaine had half your good sense."
Outside the door, a nurse's frantic voice cut through.
"Mr. Gilbert, your wife seems to have lost consciousness. She's not responding at all. Please come quickly!"
Blake rose to his feet, irritation written across every line of his face.
"She's faking it again. Always playing the fragile little victim."
He turned back and tucked the blanket around Agatha's shoulders.
"Be good, Agatha. Let me go see what kind of scene Elaine's making this time. I'll be right back."
Agatha nodded obediently.
But the instant Blake turned away, she let out a desperate scream.
She held up her phone with trembling hands, her whole body shaking.
"Blake, I never meant to pressure her into giving blood. Why is she threatening me?"
Blake's expression shifted to alarm. He snatched the phone from her hands.
On the screen, a message glared back at him, sent from my number.
"You filthy tramp. If you don't stop clinging to Blake, I swear I'll have someone put you in the ground."
Blake's face turned to ice. His fingers went white around the phone.
"Good. That's just wonderful."
"Clearly she hasn't suffered enough if she still has the energy to threaten Agatha."
He bent down and scooped Agatha into his arms, a cold laugh escaping his lips.
"Don't be scared, Agatha. I'm going to make her get on her knees and beg your forgiveness right now."
I shook with rage, wanting nothing more than to rush forward and tear his face apart.
Last night, when he'd had me tied down at the hospital to draw my blood, he'd confiscated my phone to keep me from running. Not only couldn't I have sent a threatening text, I couldn't even check the time.
All of that, and he'd already forgotten.
Blake carried Agatha in his arms and strode toward my room. He kicked the door open.
"Elaine, are you done with your little tantrum?"
"You've really gotten bold, haven't you? Threatening Agatha now? Have I been too easy on you?"
His voice was thick with fury, but the only answer he received was silence. Dead, absolute silence.