[5]

Victoria's conversation with Logan did not go well. The man, as expected, did not believe a word she said.

“If you want more money than the compensation I've already given you, just tell me the truth, woman.” Logan gripped Victoria's face quite firmly, making it difficult for her to breathe. The man's blue eyes stared intently, full of anger and contempt. “Don't you dare talk nonsense like this!”

After that, Logan pushed Victoria roughly. Although she didn't fall, her body staggered a few steps back.

“You have to trust me, Mr. Logan. I wouldn't risk everything with a lie like this,” Victoria said in a pleading tone. She tried to control her breathing, holding back the tears that were about to fall.

“Go away!” snapped Logan. “I don't want to hear your bullshit.”

There was nothing else Victoria could do but accept reality. With heavy steps, she left the room that felt like a battlefield.

Outside, Victoria bumped into Ben. The man's gaze was cold and judgmental, as if he believed Victoria had done something bad to Logan. Without a word, Victoria bowed politely, trying to show that she had no intention of creating more trouble.

But her mind was spinning erratically. Why didn't Logan believe her? She was telling the truth. The proof was that for the past week, she had been administering a different substitute medication than Grace had requested. Logan's condition was slowly improving. Although the change was not significant, at least Logan was able to sit in a wheelchair with his back straighter.

“But ... why do I care?” Victoria muttered to herself as she rubbed her chin, her steps quickening as she moved away from the room. “Wouldn't it be better if I just left it alone? Grace is more terrible if I don't obey her wishes.”

But her heart refused to ignore reality. What would happen if Logan's condition worsened one day? If an investigation was conducted and it was revealed that the medicine she gave him was the cause, wouldn't Victoria become a suspect? A wife accused of premeditated murder of her own husband?

“Shit!” she hissed, frustrated. Her hand ruffled her hair roughly.

A few servants who happened to pass by looked at Victoria in surprise, but she didn't care. Her steps quickened towards her room, eager to lie down and calm down.

“Why am I stuck in this ridiculous game?” she muttered again. “Why does Grace have to make sure Logan keeps taking that medicine? What's the real reason?”

The thoughts continued to swirl in her head, adding to the dizziness she'd already been feeling.

“I'll think about all this tomorrow,” she said softly as she closed the door to her room. She let out a long breath, trying to shake off all the anxiety that was consuming her mind.

Better to focus on Abigail, Victoria thinks. Tomorrow she planned to visit her daughter. Instead of continuing to think about Logan and Grace's problems, she should plan how she and Abigail could survive in the future.

***

Victoria sat at the bedside of her daughter, Abigail, with a wide smile that tried to hide her anxiety. Seeing Abigail eat her homemade soup with gusto gave her a glimmer of happiness in the midst of all the difficulties she faced.

“Don't let you not finish it, Abby,” she said softly, trying to channel her encouragement to the little girl.

“Yes, Mom. It's so delicious. Mommy should make it for me more often,” Abigail replied in a cheerful voice, a sweet smile painted on her little face.

Victoria felt something was different today. Abigail looked fresher, her face not as pale as usual. However, her thin body and weak condition still made Victoria's heart ache.

“I'll definitely make one for you, sweetie,” Victoria replied as she gently stroked her daughter's silky hair.

“Hug me, Mommy,” Abigail pleaded with sparkling eyes.

The request made Victoria flinch. Abigail shouldn't have to endure days like this, living in a cold and lonely hospital room. The child must have often felt frightened, even though she rarely complained.

Victoria hugged her daughter tightly, feeling the distinctive scent that she always missed. At the same time, her heart was filled with guilt and pain. Abigail should be at the playground, playing with friends her own age, not stuck in this place, undergoing seemingly endless treatments and blood transfusions.

“I love Mommy,” Abigail said in a soft voice that pierced Victoria's heart.

Victoria's tears finally fell. She couldn't hold back the overwhelming feelings. “I love you too, Abby. You are my life, sweetheart.”

They hugged for a long time until a knock on the door interrupted the moment.

“Ah, am I interrupting?” a man's voice broke the silence.

Victoria turned her head to find Chris, Abigail's attending physician, standing in the doorway. He immediately loosened his embrace. “Not at all, Doctor.”

“I'm sorry to interrupt your time a little. But can I have a talk with you, Victoria?"

Victoria's brow furrowed, her heart filled with curiosity. “Is there something serious going on?”

Chris chuckled softly. “It's not related to Abigail.”

Victoria understood immediately. She asked Abigail to finish her meal and listen to the nurse's directions. The child nodded obediently, showing remarkable understanding for her age.

In the garden near the ward, Victoria looked expectantly and anxiously at Chris. “What is it, Doctor? Why do you want to talk in private?”

Chris sighed before answering, “About that medicine you asked me about. Is there someone taking it?”

Victoria nodded slowly. “Yes. Is it dangerous?”

“Yes, very dangerous.” Chris looked at her seriously. “If possible, stop using it immediately if you don't want any further complications. Have a thorough examination to ascertain the effects that have already occurred.”

Victoria paused, processing the information.

“Even in the worst conditions, the patient must have the spirit of recovery. The medicine will only make him more helpless,” Chris added.

Victoria bit her lip, trying to compose herself. What should she do now? The honesty she tried to convey was met with suspicion and contempt.

Her cell phone suddenly rang, breaking the silence between them. Victoria looked at her phone screen, Grace's name clearly displayed.

“Sorry, Doctor. I think it's an important call,” she said, asking for permission.

“Go ahead. I've told you what you need to know,” Chris said as he stood up from his chair.

Victoria stepped away to take the call. “Yes, Aunt Grace?”

“Are you visiting your daughter?” Grace's voice sounded cold on the other end.

Victoria was surprised. How did that woman know? But she tried to remain calm. “You're right, Aunt Grace.”

“I want us to talk. Go home immediately,” Grace ordered before disconnecting the call without waiting for an answer.

Victoria stared at her phone in frustration. Grace's orders were always like a noose that got tighter and tighter. But what choice did she have?

Victoria sighed heavily when she finally agreed to Grace's request, even though her heart still wanted to stay longer with Abigail. However, refusing the woman was asking for trouble. When she arrived at the hospital lobby, a man in a black suit approached her.

“I'm Mrs. Grace's man. I will take you to Mr. Logan's house,” he said in a flat but firm voice.

Victoria could only obey. There was no other choice but to follow the man.

The trip from the hospital to Logan's house in another city felt like a long journey even though it was actually short. Throughout the journey, Victoria's mind was filled with Chris's words about the harmful effects of the drugs given to Logan. She felt like she was caught in a cycle of trouble that was becoming increasingly difficult to escape. Her marriage to Logan was to replace her sister but Victoria already felt like a big mistake. And now, things were only getting worse.

“Welcome back, Mrs. Victoria,” greeted Rosa, Logan's housemaid, with her usual friendly smile.

Victoria replied with a faint smile. “Thank you, Rosa.”

“You are awaited by Mrs. Grace and Mr. Logan in the living room,” Rosa added.

Victoria frowned. Logan usually avoided meeting Grace, often using the excuse of being busy with work. The fact that they were sitting together in the same room was enough to make Victoria suspicious.

When Victoria entered the room, Grace greeted her with a big smile. “Are you here yet?”

“I'm sorry if I'm a little late,” Victoria replied politely.

“No problem,” Grace chuckled lightly. “You're seeing Abigail, aren't you? How's she looking?"

“She's stabilized, and her medication schedule can be resumed,” Victoria replied with some trepidation.

Grace patted the chair beside her, motioning for Victoria to sit down. “It's good that it's a little better. But, don't you want to move Abigail to a closer hospital? It would be easier for you to visit her.”

Victoria smiled slightly. “I'll consider it right away, Aunt Grace.”

During the conversation, Victoria occasionally glanced at Logan who sat quietly in his wheelchair. The man seemed to be listening, although the look on his face showed his reluctance to be there.

“Is this what I need to hear, Aunt Grace?” Logan's voice finally broke the silence. “Didn't you want to discuss the contract with Dallas Corp?”

Victoria felt uncomfortable. Clearly Logan had just been forced to be here. Or perhaps, he himself was forced to be in this room?

"In that case, I'd better get going. It seems this conversation is quite important,” Victoria said as she prepared to leave the room.

“No,” Logan interrupted in a cold tone. “Sit there and listen to what we're discussing. You are my wife, aren't you? From now on, you have to listen to everything that has to do with me.”

Victoria froze. Logan's words were like an absolute order that could not be refused.

“So, let me know to what extent your presence in this house has meaning,” Logan continued, his gaze penetrating her mind.

Grace looked surprised at Logan's words, though she quickly hid it behind a forced smile. “If that's what you want, my dear niece. After all, talk of the Dallas Corp isn't exactly confidential. And after this, I'd like to talk to Victoria in private. You don't mind, do you?”

Logan grinned slightly. “Why would I mind? Isn't that good for a relationship? My wife gets along well with you, Aunt Grace.”

Victoria didn't know how to react. Their conversation felt like a hidden battlefield, where every word was a sword ready to stab each other. Amidst the tension, Victoria could only wonder, is this the real picture of Logan Raphael's family?