Chapter 3: Chapter 3
1,278 words<html><head></head><body><p>I leaned against the headboard, weakly nodding, "Just leave it there, I'll drink it later. I'm feeling dizzy right now."</p> <p>At this point, I definitely wasn't going to continue taking the medicine. I could only wait until Shirley left to pour it out.</p> <p>But just then, the door to the room was pushed open by Brandon. He looked sharp and fresh in his suit.</p> <p>"Caroline, have you taken your medicine?"</p> <p>I almost forgot, every morning before Brandon goes to work, he comes to my room to talk to me.</p> <p>Before I could speak, Shirley answered quickly, "Not yet, Mrs. Jordan said she's feeling dizzy."</p> <p>As soon as she said that, I clearly saw the two of them exchange a subtle glance, as if they were sharing some information.</p> <p>They definitely have a conspiracy!</p> <p>Brandon gave me a reproachful look, "Caroline, you must take your medicine on time, otherwise, when will you get better? Hmm?"</p> <p>His voice was gentle, showing great patience towards me.</p> <p>"I'll feed you."</p> <p>With that, he picked up the bowl of medicine, scooped a spoonful, and brought it to my lips.</p> <p>I gently pushed his hand away, pretending to be embarrassed, "Shirley is still here, what are you doing?"</p> <p>"Brandon, you should go to work first, I'll drink it myself later."</p> <p>Brandon let out a light laugh, "Shirley is family, don't worry about her seeing."</p> <p>"Besides, Caroline, if you don't take your medicine, how can I focus on work today? Drink it quickly, don't make me worry."</p> <p>My hand under the blanket clenched tightly.</p> <p>I never thought Brandon was so insistent on me taking my medicine.</p> <p>But now that I think about it, every morning before he goes to work, he watches me take my medicine.</p> <p>The reason behind this is terrifying to think about.</p> <p>I forced a smile, thinking about how to avoid taking the medicine today.</p> <p>Just then, Brandon's phone rang. I quickly took the bowl of medicine, "Brandon, you should answer the call, I'll drink it myself."</p> <p>Seeing this, he smiled and nodded, walking over to the window.</p> <p>While he was on the phone, I said to Shirley, "Go get me a piece of sugar, my mouth is bitter after taking the medicine."</p> <p>Shirley showed a strange expression, "Mrs. Jordan, you never used to..."</p> <p>"Can't I want to eat it now? Do I need to say it a second time?"</p> <p>I couldn't help but frown and speak forcefully.</p> <p>Only then did Shirley leave the room to get me the sugar.</p> <p>Taking advantage of this moment, I poured the entire bowl of medicine under the bed.</p> <p>Just then, Brandon finished his call and turned around.</p> <p>My heart was racing, afraid he would notice something.</p> <p>Fortunately, Brandon didn't notice anything. He sat by the bed, gently stroking my cheek with the back of his hand.</p> <p>"That was a call from the company. Caroline, get better soon, so I don't have to manage the company for you."</p> <p>His hand was warm on my cheek.</p> <p>But I couldn't stop trembling.</p> <p>Is this the hand of a lover, or a murderer?</p> <p>He leaned forward and kissed my forehead.</p> <p>At the same time, Shirley returned with the sugar, her face darkening with jealousy at the sight.</p> <p>I put the sugar Shirley brought into my mouth and lay down as usual.</p> <p>After Brandon tucked me in, he left the room.</p> <p>Usually, I would have fallen asleep by now, so they would definitely let their guard down.</p> <p>So I quickly got up and walked to the window, staring at the spot below.</p> <p>But I saw nothing unusual. Brandon took the coat and briefcase from Shirley and got into the car as usual.</p> <p>Maybe I was wrong?</p> <p>Could it be that Brandon doesn't know about Shirley's plan and has been deceived by her too?</p> <p>But ever since Shirley came to our house, I treated her like family. Why would she do this to me?</p> <p>Thinking of the chilling look she gave me earlier, a sudden realization hit me.</p> <p>Could it be that Shirley has fallen for Brandon and is using these means against me?</p> <p>The more I thought about it, the more terrifying it seemed. I wanted to tell Brandon about this immediately.</p> <p>But since I got sick, I hardly used my phone and spent all day sleeping in this room.</p> <p>If I went out to find Brandon rashly, Shirley would find out.</p> <p>I could only lie in bed, staring at the dark ceiling, enduring it.</p> <p>But I hadn't slept well last night, and soon I couldn't resist the heavy sleepiness and fell asleep.</p> <p>When I woke up, it was already evening, and a sliver of sunset light was pouring in through the heavy curtains.</p> <p>Just then, the door opened, and I quickly closed my eyes, pretending to be asleep.</p> <p>At this time, it was usually Shirley coming to give me my medicine.</p> <p>But she always woke me up, and I never knew what she did while I was asleep.</p> <p>I felt someone slowly approaching me, as if I was being stared at by a pair of venomous eyes.</p> <p>The next second, Shirley spoke, "Why aren't you dead yet? If you die, Brandon will be mine."</p> <p>"Why do you have everything since you were born, being excellent in every way? Why do all the good things fall to you? Why is Brandon yours?"</p> <p>"Go die, just die!"</p> <p>Shirley's voice was like a demon's, making me shiver.</p> <p>I gritted my teeth, enduring it. Just then, I felt a sharp pain on my face.</p> <p>I realized she had pricked me with something. Afraid she would do more, I pretended to wake up.</p> <p>"Ugh, Shirley, what time is it?"</p> <p>"It's four in the afternoon, Mrs. Jordan."</p> <p>I opened my eyes, and Shirley's face was as calm as ever, as if the crazy woman just now wasn't her.</p> <p>She handed me the bowl of medicine, "Mrs. Jordan, it's time to take your medicine."</p> <p>I was about to use the excuse from the morning, but she handed me the sugar with her other hand, "Mrs. Jordan, the sugar is ready."</p> <p>I knew she wouldn't leave until she saw me finish the medicine today. I could only force myself to drink it and pretend to lie down quietly.</p> <p>"You can go now, I want to sleep a bit more."</p> <p>After Shirley left, I quickly got up and ran to the bathroom, forcing myself to vomit out all the medicine.</p> <p>Just then, I heard the sound of a car horn.</p> <p>I quickly walked to the window, and sure enough, Brandon was back.</p> <p>I was about to tell him everything that happened today when I saw Brandon get out of the car and pinch Shirley's butt.</p> <p>Shirley immediately blushed and hid in Brandon's arms.</p> <p>I was struck by lightning, unable to believe what I was seeing.</p> <p>It was really him, the Brandon who had been with me for eight years, treating me like a treasure, wanted to harm me.</p> <p>From the moment I discovered the medicine was problematic, I never wanted or dared to suspect Brandon.</p> <p>Because I couldn't believe our years of affection were fake.</p> <p>But now, the scene downstairs hit me hard.</p> <p>It turns out deep affection can be acted out.</p> <p>My face turned as white as a sheet, and I pulled the curtains tightly to keep myself from collapsing.</p> <p>I only came to my senses when I heard footsteps coming upstairs, struggling to get back to bed.</p> <p>I heard the footsteps stop at my door.</p> <p>Brandon asked, "Did she take her medicine today?"</p> <p>Shirley laughed lightly, "Of course she did. That stupid woman Caroline thought it was life-saving medicine and drank it all in one go."</p> </body></html>