6. Unfair

After the surgery, David was still unconscious. The Lichter's then never left the hospital for David. Beatrice was at least relieved because Mateo was not bothering her while she was still waiting for her father. It’s as if he was being considerate. And Beatrice was thankful for that because she was not yet ready again to face him. 

Beatrice was having her breakfast in the room that Amadeus provided her. She had never left the room since she came here. There was an hourly update for the nurses about her father. So, Veronica and Clementine decide to visit her in the room. 

Beatrice heard a loud knock on her door. She immediately stood up and opened the door. “Mother? Why are you–” 

“Oh, stop. Let us in,” Veronica said, and did not even wait for Beatrice to open the door. She let herself in and Clementine followed her. 

Beatrice stood up by her side while waiting for her stepmother's words. She was still holding the bread she was eating. She put her hands behind her to hide them from them. 

Jealousy. That was the first thing Clementine did when she couldn’t believe that this room was much better than their room! Beatrice had her own bed while she and her mother were sharing a bed! And when did she bring clothes? As far as she remembered, it was only their clothes that the maids brought here! 

“This is unacceptable!” Clementine blurted. She glared at Beatrice. 

“What a vulgar woman are you, huh, Beatrice?! Are you not ashamed of yourself?” said Veronica. “You are not even married yet to Mister Bruce but you are already indulging in his assets?!” 

Beatrice was embarrassed by what she said. “B-But it was Mister Bruce who asked for this, mother.” She tried to convince her. She didn’t ask for that. Beatrice just didn’t want to disobey Mister Bruce’s order. 

“And so? When he asks you to run naked on the street, will you follow him?” 

Beatrice was startled. “Of course not, mother!” 

Clementine puffed a breath. “Liar! You like this, that's why you will do anything for sure!” 

Beatrice felt like her heart would burst. She looked at them confused. She was just helping her family. Why does it look like it was her fault that a man was favoring her? When, in fact, she never even wanted this in the first place. 

“What? Are you disrespecting me now?” Veronica slowly walked to Beatrice. 

In every step Veronica took, it was like Beatrice's heart was throbbing too. She looked down. “O-Of course not, mother– ahh!” Beatrice was stunned when Veronica slapped her in the face. She touched her cheeks and looked at her surprise. She even saw Clementine grinning happily as if she was enjoying what her mother was doing to her. 

“Wake up, Beatrice! That man was only after your body! Don’t ever think of liking it because for sure you will not!” 

Clementine laughed. “Yes! I heard that Mister Bruce was an old widowed man. I wouldn’t be surprised if something ever happened to both of you that night.” 

“No! That is not true! He did not touch me!” Beatrice protested. 

“Shut up!” Veronica halted Beatrice. She leaned more at Beatrice until he was only an inch away from her. “Now, I don’t care what he wants from you. As long as my husband wakes up again. We will have money again. I will let any man fuck you however they want it!” 

“Mother!” Beatrice couldn’t believe what she had just said. How can she be so brutal on her? To the point that she was willing to give her to any man? Was it because she was not her true daughter? Beatrice's eyes started to water. Her lips were moving uncontrollably because of the feelings she was trying to hold. 

“Now get your things out of this room because Clementine will stay here now!” Veronica ordered. 

Clementine gasped happily. “Really, mom? Waah! I’m happy!” She ran onto the bed and laid her body there. She didn’t even bother to look at Beatrice who was already crying now. 

Beatrice looked at them with pain in her eyes. Veronica did not even look at her after her orders to her. Beatrice forced herself to go out of the room and wailed outside of the room. How can they be so unfair? Veronica’s words were like a knife piercing her chest. Didn’t she know that she never wanted it? If it was not only about her father, she wouldn’t even go to that hell mansion! 

When Beatrice recovered, she walked away from the room and went to the ICU where her father was already at. Wearing a hospital jacket and mask. She went inside to see her father. Beatrice sat down on the stool and scanned David’s face. She then started crying as she saw a lot of cables that were connected to David’s body. She holds his hand.

“D-Dad. Please wake up. Please. Don’t leave me yet. I’m begging you. I-I miss you so much, Dad.” Beatrice stopped and wiped her eyes. “I… I don’t want to marry him. Dad, I’m scared. Please wake up. I-I don’t know what to do.” 

Beatrice stood inside. She kept on talking with him while crying. She did it until she fell asleep at his side. Beatrice then woke up to someone stroking her hair. And when she opened her eyes, she saw David was already awake and looking at her. 

“Dad! You’re awake!” Beatrice said happily and stood up. She immediately pushed the button for the doctor. “Thank you, dad! Thank you!” she cried. 

David smiled. He still couldn’t say any words because there was still a tube in his throat. His doctor came immediately and checked up on him. 

Beatrice then was happy as she looked at her father. She was relieved now, knowing that he was awake. Not long ago, her stepmother and stepsister went in and rushed to David. 

“Honey! You are awake! Thank God!” Veronica cried. 

“Father! I’m happy that you are back with us!” Clementine said. 

Beatrice then felt like she was an outcast again. She just stood by the side waiting for the doctors. She could see her father looking at her and she was just smiling at him. At least her sacrifice was not wasted. Her father will live.