Chapter 23
Vera harged into the room. Courtney glared at Vera, her fists clenching tightly.
“What are you doing here?” Austin frowned, irritation clear in his tone. “Go back.
“Why should I
back? I’m your wife, Vera snapped, stepping closer to Courtney’s bed. “Courtney. I’ve always thought it was strange that you managed to survive in South Weidan. Turns out, you sold your body to make it out alive
Courtney’s gaze bore into Vera. How she wished she could speak right now, to curse at her with the same ferocity as Lorraine had earlier. But she couldn’t make a sound, forced to watch Vera’s smugness without the ability to retaliate.
“Shut up.” Austin interrupted, his voice filled with reluctance. He didn’t want to hear it. He didn’t want to think about whether someone else had touched Courtney, let alone accept the possibility,
“Jeffrey said Courney survived because, as soon as she arrived, she caught the eye of the second–in–command of the terrorist group” Vera continued, her tone sharp and deliberate.
“That man, who was also from Henisburg, was involved in smuggling operations. He was always with the organization’s leader. Lucas. He took Courney as his own” she said, “For live years, she stayed with him, sleeping with him just to stay alive.”
Vera enunciated each word with precision, ensuring Austin felt the full weight of her accusation “Austin, she’s been filthy for a long time. She’s spent five years with a terrorist. Who knows how many tones she’s been violated by him?”
“And Jeffrey also said Vera added, her tone dripping with malicious satisfaction, that the man and Courtney referred to each other as husband and wife. Whenever they went, he introduced her as his wife.”
Courtney’s body trembled uncontrollably as she stared at Austin, who said nothing, but his silence was louder than any words. It was clear that he believed Vera
“Courney, is what she said truck Austin’s voice was hoarse as he finally asked, his eyes red with emotion. “I just need one word from you. Is it true? Tell me.
His tone was almost pleading, as if he would rather hear a be than face the truth.
Courtney felt a chill spread through her entire body, a bitter sanile curling her lips. She found him unterly ridiculous.
[What right do you have to ask me if it’s true?] Courtney signed angrily with her hands.
Austin, already on edge, grew more agitated. He didn’t understand sign language, and his frustration boiled over. “Courtney, answer me! Just type the words–answer me!”
Courtney remained motionless, quiet as a statue
Austin quickly realized his tone had been too harsh and, in his panic, tried to comfort her. In front of Vera, he embraced Courtney tightly. “Courtney I didn’t mean to sound harsh. I know, no matter what happened, it wasn’t your choice, right?”
“Austin! How long are you going to delude yourself? Vera’s cold voice cut in Those people over there are filthy. Do you even know if she’s carrying some kind of disease”
“You hadn’t touched her for all those years you’ve been together, yet she had slept with someone else for five years,” she sneered, mocking Austin for treating a filthy woman like Courtney as someone precious
“Shut up! Get lost!” Austin’s pride flared, unable to tolerate the insult to his dignity. He pointed toward the door, demanding Vera leave.
Vera clenched her fists tightly, her eyes burning with resentment as she glared at Courtney. You’re disgusting. Courtney”
With those venomous words, Vera stormed out.
Courtney sat motionlessly on the hospital bed, a lifeless shell of herself.
Austin wrapped his arms around her tightly. “Courtney, tell me it’s not true. Please, I’m begging you…”
Courtney remained unresponsive, her face pale and expressionless, until the IV needle in her hand started to backflow with blood. Finally, she silently reached out and pulled it out herself.
“Til take you home. Austin stopped asking questions, instead taking her hand and preparing to leave the hospital with her.
Courtney pulled her hand back, but Austin stubbornly grabbed it again, unwilling to let go.
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Chapter 23
Courtney knew deep down that Austin was no longer the man he was five years ago, and she was no longer the same Courtney. What thes
they both longed for was the version of each other from five years ago–a version that no longer existed
“Courtney, don’t let Vera’s words get in you. I know you’re not like that… Austin tried to console her, seemingly as much for himself as for her.
Courtney didn’t respond. her expression numb as she walked forward.
Blood continued to drip from her hand where she had pulled the IV, the drops leaving a faint trail behind her.
I wasn’t until they reached the parking lot that Austin noticed the blood. Panicked, he pressed against the needle wound to stop the bleeding, his eyes reddening with worry,
“Courtney…” He called her name over and over, but the emptiness in her gaze made him uneasy, almost afraid.
Courtney pulled out her phone and typed a question. (Did you let Vera sell the old mansion my grandfather left me?
Austin froze, his expression betraying his guilt as he looked at her nervously. “Courtney, how did you find out!”
Courtney continued typing. [We’ll talk about the compensation later. The old mansion is the Edwards family’s foundation–our ancestral home. It cannot be sold.]
Austin’s eyes darted nervously, and he stammered “Courtney… Vera’s family’s company ran into some trouble two years ago. They had cash flow issues, and she begged me for help. I thought it was better to help them out.
It was my house. How could your] Courtney’s fingers trembled as she typed her furious question.
“Courtney, we’re married. At the time, I thought you were gone. That house was something you left behind for me, so of course, I could handle it however I thought was best! Austin explained anxiously.
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