I tried to defend myself. In the struggle, the medicine tray in Nancy’s hands tipped over. Glass vials shattered across the floor and expensive liquid splattered in every direction.

By then, a small crowd of nurses had gathered outside the door. Two of them ran to call security; the rest stayed to watch, whispering just loud enough for me to hear.

“She couldn’t find Dr. Andrews, so she decided to steal something? Pathetic.”

“Doing things like this at her age… no wonder she’ll never have kids.”

“It’s people like her that ruin the doctor–patient relationship for everyone.”

“No wonder Dr. Andrews can’t stand her. She should be blacklisted from the hospital.”

I was shaking with rage. “Edwin asked me to come! The office was already like this when I got here!”

Someone scoffed.

“At least try making your lies more convincing. Dr. Andrews has been in surgery all morning—he hasn’t even stepped out of the surgery theater. How could he have invited you?”

“You definitely knew he wasn’t here. That's why you came to steal something!”

Anger burned in my chest, but I forced myself to keep calm. “I’m not arguing with you. You can ask Edwin when he gets here!”

I began walking towards the door, but Nancy grabbed my arm.

She pointed at the broken vials on the floor. “These are all imported. One of them costs over ten thousand. You’ll have to pay for them.”

I stared at her. “You're the one who dropped those bottles!”

Two nurses jumped in immediately. “We saw you knock them over with our own eyes. You’re not leaving until you pay.”

Someone had already pulled out their phone and started livestreaming. “Everyone, take a look at how outrageous this troublemaker have become.”

Nancy and a few others blocked me from leaving Edwin’s office. I had no way out.

Just then, a cleaner came over, pushing a bucket of dirty water, curious about the commotion.

A gleam flashed in Nancy’s eyes. She shoved me hard. I was already weak and the push sent me stumbling backward. I fell to the floor, tipping over the bucket as I fell.

The icy-cold water poured down over me, the foul stench assaulting my nostrils. Laughter Instantly erupted around us.

Then a deep, stern male voice rang from behind the crowd. “What’s going on here?!”

The nurses stepped aside, revealing Edwin.

His eyes soon fell on my dishelved looks.

His brows knitted tightly. He took half a step back before his face hardened. “Who told you to come here?”

The chill in my chest sank deeper than the cold soaking my clothes.

I had just miscarried. I was the one being humiliated. Yet he didn’t ask why—he only demanded to know why I was there.

Nancy spoke first. “I caught Ms. Robertson rummaging through your office. When I tried to stop her, she attacked me…”

Edwin glanced past her, his expression darkening. “Sammy, who told you to come into my office?”

I pushed myself to my feet, facing the accusing stares around me. “You texted me to come.”

He let out a short, cold laugh. “I never take my phone into surgery. There's no way I could send you a message!”

I froze, then saw the satisfied glint in Nancy’s eyes and realized this was her trap.

I snapped, “You can check your phone records or pull the office security footage. Then you’ll know who’s lying.”

Edwin hesitated. Before he could answer, Nancy suddenly began to cry.

“Ms. Robertson, I understand—you think I caused your miscarriage, so you came here looking for proof. I get it…”

“You lost your baby and I feel worse than you do. But you can’t accuse me, you can’t frame me like this…”

“If no one here believes me, then I’ll just leave.”

She turned as if to go, but Edwin caught her by the arm.

“Nancy, of course I believe you. Don’t go!” Edwin said.

Security arrived and grabbed me by the arms.

Edwin shot me a look of disgust and said harshly, “Sammy, if you bully Nancy again, I won’t just throw you out of the hospital—I’ll have you taken straight to the police.”

That night, Edwin came home.

He saw me on the couch, clumsily tending to my injuries. For a moment, hesitation flickered in his eyes. But he turned away and walked into the bedroom.

A few minutes later, he walked out the room while dragging a suitcase.

He said coldly, “I paid for the imported medicine you broke. Consider that matter closed."

"Nancy’s upset, so I’m taking a week’s vacation to go abroad with her. While I’m gone, think about what you’ve done.”

From the moment he arrived home to the moment he left again, I didn’t say a single word.

Edwin took Nancy to Velvetio.

Nancy sent me their itinerary like a trophy. Edwin bought her designer handbags, luxury perfumes and piles of new clothes. They took a sunset cruise and strolled hand in hand down the famous Bellefragrance Row.

Occasionally, Edwin messaged me too.

[You always said you wanted to honeymoon in Velvetio. I’ll take you when I have time.]

[You just miscarried. Take care of yourself.]

[I got you a gift. I’ll give it to you when I’m home.]

I didn’t reply to a single one.

On the seventh day, soon as I got my passport, I went straight to the airport and bought the next ticket to the Federal Crimsonnia.

While waiting to board, two familiar figures passed right by me. They were Edwin and Nancy, back from their trip, dragging suitcases loaded with shopping bags.

Edwin pulled out his phone to make a call.

A second later, my phone rang. I hung up without answering, pulled out the SIM card and tossed it into the nearest trash bin. Then I walked into the boarding gate without looking back.

Goodbye, Edwin.