Chapter 7

Celine POV

Westley explained unhurriedly.

"She just accidentally mixed up the mango juice and orange juice. She didn't know beforehand that the glass you were drinking was mango juice."

I said incredulously,

"Sophie explained it to you like this, and you believed her?"

"Otherwise, what could the truth be? She has no grudge against you. She's kind-hearted and lively. Why would she deliberately harm you? Celine, don't you think you're being overly aggressive and thinking too badly of her?"

His words, thrown at me one after another, were like knives cutting into my flesh inch by inch.

Westley's tone remained unchanged as he continued.

"However, it was her carelessness that caused your allergic reaction, so I've already punished her for it."

"What punishment did you give her?"

Westley steadied himself.

"I docked three months of her salary."

If he hadn't said it so seriously, I would have almost thought he was joking.

Westley walked over to sit by the bed, reaching up to tuck my hair behind my ear.

"There. You also pushed her and injured her, and I punished her for you. This matter ends here."

The man who once cared about me with his whole heart, who felt terrible even when I got a small cut on my finger. Now, when I had an allergic reaction so severe I nearly died, he wasn't worried or anxious. Even his punishment for Sophie was brushed aside.

I was exhausted, wrapped in endless fatigue, without even the desire to argue with him anymore.

Westley looked at me with an inscrutable gaze.

"Celine, you'll stay by my side forever, right?"

I couldn't help but curve my lips slightly.

"What do you think?"

Westley didn't detect the mockery in my tone, taking it for granted that after all our years together, I couldn't possibly leave him over these recent unpleasantries.

He spoke softly and indulgently.

"You said earlier that you had something to tell me after dinner. What did you want to say?"

I fell silent for a moment.

"Nothing. It doesn't matter anymore."

I had originally planned to part ways amicably with him, intending to tell him truthfully that I had accepted a job offer from a foreign company and would be leaving soon.

But now, he didn't need to know.

Hearing this, Westley didn't think much of it. He lowered his head to kiss my eyes.

"Rest well. I won't go anywhere these next two days. I'll stay at the hospital with you."

I paid him no mind, lying down and turning my back to him.

Westley hadn't been at the hospital for even two days when Sophie Evans called.

On the phone, I didn't know what Sophie said to him, but his expression grew grave as his eyes hesitantly turned toward me.

After hanging up, he opened his mouth hesitantly.

"Celine, I..."

"It's fine, go ahead."

Before he could finish, I spoke up.

"I don't need you here anymore."

Perhaps the words "don't need you" grated on his ears, or perhaps my recent coldness made him vaguely uneasy.

Westley explained sincerely.

"There's a problem with a project at the company. I have to go handle it."

"Mm, I understand. Go ahead."

Westley hesitated for a moment, but eventually stood up.

"When you're discharged, I'll come pick you up."

Leaving those words, he left the hospital room.

When the room fell quiet, I pulled my phone from under my pillow and checked the date.

Then I opened a ticket booking app and purchased an international flight ticket.

On the day of my discharge, Westley broke his promise after all.

He didn't come pick me up from the hospital. Instead, he sent me a message:

"The project issue isn't resolved yet. Go home first. I'll bring you an apology gift later."

After reading it, I put my phone away expressionlessly and processed my own discharge paperwork.

Returning to the villa at Crescent Bay, I packed my suitcase and gathered my passport, documents, and other items.

Just as I was about to leave with my suitcase, Sophie Evans suddenly appeared at the villa.

"Miss Sterling!"

Sophie rushed over with red-rimmed eyes, grabbing my wrist.

"I'm so glad you're okay! I've felt terrible about mistakenly giving you that juice..."

I coldly shook off her hand.

"What game are you playing now?"

Sophie's expression changed instantly, a cold smile appearing at the corner of her mouth.

"You'll find out soon enough."

She stepped back several paces and suddenly flipped over the balcony railing, falling into the pool below.

"Help!"

The shrill scream attracted Westley, who had just gotten out of his car.

He looked up to see Sophie fall with a splash from the second floor into the pool below.

"Sophie!!"

And I was standing right at the balcony edge at that moment.

Westley dove into the pool without hesitation.