Shane turned his head and glanced at Belinda, his voice icy. "Bring him in."
Belinda was stunned, her heart pounding with anxiety. "Doctor? What doctor?"
Shane sat down on the sofa in the hospital room, crossing his legs elegantly. "Didn't you say you had a miscarriage? The doctor who performed the procedure ran off without a trace? Well, I brought him back."
Belinda nearly collapsed to the floor in fear.
After the car accident, she was the first to wake up. She had spent a large sum of money to bribe the doctor, instructing him to tell Shane's secretary that she had miscarried.
Then the doctor took the money and disappeared.
And now he was brought back?
"Shane, listen to me..."
"In a moment, you'll have your chance to speak. Don't rush." Suddenly, he leaned forward, the intense pressure of his presence sweeping over her.
Belinda's legs went weak, and she fell to the ground, trembling. She crawled forward slowly, cautiously grabbing Shane's trouser pants leg. "Please, don't listen to anyone else's lies. I would never deceive you..."
Shane looked down, his eyes cold. At this moment, the woman groveling on the floor seemed utterly unappealing.
What was it about her that made his heart stir?
But that night, it did.
Now, it seemed that the beauty in the darkness was never meant to see the light of day.
The secretary brought in the doctor, who had been detained.
The doctor had bruises on his face.
It looked like he had been interrogated.
As soon as he saw Belinda, he immediately said, "It was her, she paid me to lie."
Belinda looked up and glared angrily at the doctor. "What nonsense are you spouting? I don't even know you!"
She planned to deny everything.
The doctor and she were not close. If it weren't for the money, he wouldn't have lied. Now, caught by Shane, he knew who he could and couldn't offend.
"You may not know me, but you bribed me to lie. That's a fact. I have evidence of the payment. A simple check will reveal whose account the money came from," the doctor paused, "You were never pregnant. This can be verified at the hospital with a simple test."
"Don't you dare slander me!" Belinda struggled desperately. "Shane, don't believe his lies..."
"Whether he's lying or not can be easily verified." Shane extended his hand.
The secretary immediately handed over the records of her bribing the doctor.
Shane glanced at it, his face expressionless, and threw the documents at Belinda. "You won't shed a tear until you see the coffin."
He gave a signal to his secretary. "Take her for an examination."
"I won't go."
Belinda Ayers clung desperately to Shane's leg.
"Please, you have to believe me. He's trying to frame me..."
"Why would I frame you? We have no grudge against each other," the doctor retorted.
Shane, growing impatient, barked, "Get her out of here!"
Several large men behind the secretary immediately pulled Belinda away.
Despite her resistance, she was forcibly taken for the examination.
It didn't take long.
In just half an hour, the results were in.
The secretary came to report.
"Miss Ayers has never been pregnant. She is currently on her period."
Shane's face darkened. So the blood he saw… Oddly enough, the fact that Belinda wasn't pregnant made him feel relieved!
The thought of having a child with such a woman was something he deeply resented. Suddenly, he felt that this outcome was for the best.
He spoke coldly, "Bring her here." "Yes, sir." The secretary went to fetch her.
With the truth exposed and evidence irrefutable, Belinda had no choice but to plead desperately.
"Please, for the sake of the time I saved you, forgive me this once. I only did it because I love you," she cried, looking utterly pitiful and disheveled. Shane, on the other hand, seemed surprisingly calm. He wasn't angry, nor was he annoyed.
"Love me?" Shane sneered, "Is deception your idea of love?"
"No, it's not deception. I just used the wrong way to show my feelings. I never meant to deceive you," Belinda replied.
One had to admit, Belinda was quite the smooth talker.
Even in this situation, she could still argue her case.
A cold smirk appeared on Shane's lips. This woman was utterly unreasonable.
If it weren't for the fact that she had saved his life that night, he would have made her wish she were dead!
How dare she try to deceive him with such a thing!
"Belinda, I'll let you go this time. But I never want to see you again. My leniency extends only this once. If you ever cross me again, I won't be so forgiving!" Shane stood up and instructed his secretary, "Release her."
"Yes, sir." The secretary signaled for her to be freed.
"Shane..." Belinda lunged forward, crying and pleading, her face streaked with tears. "I didn't mean to..."
"If you keep pestering me, I'll make sure you can't stay in this city!" His voice was neither loud nor soft, but it carried an undeniable authority.
Belinda released her grip and collapsed onto the floor, her face ashen with despair.
She had planned to climb the social ladder by faking a pregnancy.
But now, everything was ruined!
Not only did she fail to rise in status, but Shane was now disgusted by the mere sight of her.
All he felt for her was loathing. Her situation was beyond just a loss; it was a complete and utter defeat!
She had failed, lost Shane, and completely missed her chance to elevate her status!
She was unwilling to accept this outcome. How did it come to this?
...
In Second Military District General Hospital.
Mrs. Ford had brought some delicious food.
Callie was surprised to see her. "Mrs. Ford, what brings you here?"
"Mr. Robinson said you weren't feeling well and needed proper nutrition. He asked me to bring you meals every day until you're discharged," Mrs. Ford explained as she set the food out.
The dishes were all nutritious supplements, and with Mrs. Ford's excellent cooking skills, Callie found them quite appetizing.
Callie was at a stage where she needed to build up her strength, and Mrs. Ford's timing couldn't have been better. "Thank you, Mrs. Ford."
"Why thank me? I'm just an old maid here to serve. If you want to thank someone, thank Mr. Robinson. He's the one who instructed me to take good care of you. These expensive ingredients were bought with his money. He's the one you should be grateful to," Mrs. Ford said with a smile.
Always trying to match-make two people.
Callie smiled on the surface. But deep down, she didn't appreciate it.
A slap on the face, then a date as a consolation?
She lost a child. Did he think a bit of food could make up for that? Dream on!
She felt full after two bowls, and lying down after eating too much was uncomfortable.
"Is there anything you'd like to eat? I can make it for you," Mrs. Ford asked.
Callie said, "My mouth tastes bitter, I want something sweet."
Maybe it was because she had just lost a child, her heart felt bitter too.
"Alright, I'll make you a sweet soup tonight. Cherries are in season now, sweet and tangy. I'll buy some for you," Mrs. Ford said as she cleared the dishes.
Callie lay down and responded with a soft "Mm."
In the evening, Mrs. Ford came over as promised.
This routine continued for a week.
Every day, Mrs. Ford made different dishes, and Callie had a good appetite and was recovering well.
She was already able to try walking around. There were no signs of abdominal pain or discomfort.
After a check-up, the doctor said, "You're recovering well, but you still need to be careful. A miscarriage always harms the uterus to some extent. This pregnancy looks fine for now, but the future is still uncertain."
Callie understood, "I'll be careful."
Back in her hospital room, she had dinner and read some medical books. The days in the hospital were so boring that she had to find ways to pass the time.
Maybe she had slept too much during the day, because she couldn't fall asleep at night.
She read until midnight, and only when her eyes started to feel sore did she put the book down and lie down.
Slowly, she drifted off to sleep.
The clock ticked softly.
The hospital was very quiet in the dead of night.
Suddenly, the door to her room was gently pushed open. A tall, slender figure stepped inside.
A nightlight cast a dim glow in the hospital room.
The light was faint and drowsy.
Shane made sure Callie was sound asleep before he closed the door and walked to her bedside.
He kept his head down.
Over the past few days, Callie had regained some color. Her cheeks were smooth and soft like warm jade, her pink lips were delicate and rosy, and her black hair lay scattered, with a stray lock resting on her brow, adding a touch of allure.
Shane couldn't help but reach out and gently caress her cheek.
His fingertips brushed against her skin, feeling its silky texture.
His brow furrowed slightly.
Perhaps it tickled, as Callie turned her head and moved a bit.
Shane quickly withdrew his hand.
"Mmm—"
Callie turned over, her back now facing him as she continued to sleep on her side.
As she turned, she pulled the blanket with her. Shane carefully covered her again, then lay down beside her in the narrow space, also on his side, facing her. He buried his face into the back of her neck, holding her through the blanket as he drifted off to sleep.
The night was deep and dark.
But inside, there was a sense of warmth and tenderness.
When Callie woke up in the morning, Shane had already left at some point.
She had no idea that someone had visited last night.
At eight o'clock, Mrs. Ford came by with a meal and brought plenty of fruit.
After eating, she had some of the fruit and sat on the sofa by the window, basking in the sunlight.
Knock, knock—
The door suddenly echoed with a knock.
Before Callie could respond, the door was pushed open.
"Callie!" Rafael's voice was straightforward and urgent. "You need to go and plead with Shane."
Over the past few days, Rafael had figured out the details of the car accident. That day, Myron had crashed into Shane's car. Thankfully, no lives were lost, but Henry had been injured. After some treatment, he was doing much better.
However, Shane was holding Myron accountable.
Myron didn't have a driver's license, and since he was an adult, he would face legal consequences.
He was driving without a license, and the road had surveillance cameras that captured everything clearly. Not only was it Myron's fault, but he also fled the scene afterward.
Hit-and-run—an even graver offense!
Callie curled up on the sofa, her bright eyes fluttering with thick lashes. "Dad, I don't know what you're talking about. And why should I plead with Shane?"
Even though she knew exactly what Rafael was talking about.
However, she pretended to know nothing.
"Your brother took your car without permission and crashed into Shane Robinson's car. He didn't let it slide just because you're his wife; instead, he deliberately suppressed him. What does he mean by that? Myron is still your brother after all..."
"Dad," Callie interrupted Rafael, "My mom only had me. Where did this brother come from?"
Rafael's face stiffened, and he coughed awkwardly. "Even though you don't share the same mother, you have the same father..."
"My own dad doesn't even care about me. Why should I beg for his son?" Callie had come to terms with Rafael's actions, but blood ties still mattered.
She couldn't help but care, even if just a little.
Rafael took a deep breath, managing to keep his temper in check. "I haven't done anything to wrong you, have I?"
Callie looked up at the man whose temples were already streaked with gray. "Dad, you probably forgot how you tried to stop me from applying to medical school. Because I went to med school, you wouldn't even pay my tuition..."
"What's so good about studying medicine?" Rafael cut her off before she could finish. "Being a doctor is exhausting and busy, and the pay isn't great. What's so good about it? I raised you so you could find a good man and live a life without worries. You already have that chance. You've become Shane's wife. If you put in the effort, I'm sure he'll notice you, like you, and love you."
For a moment, Callie was at a loss for words.
"I am a person. I can think. I know what I want. Dad, do you have dreams?" she asked.
Rafael replied, "Of course I do. My grandfather was an ordinary man, and your grandfather was just a driver for other people. I don't want to spend my life accomplishing nothing. I want to achieve something significant. But without a background, without support, without connections, do you know how difficult it is to succeed?"
Callie was suddenly taken aback, she had always known Rafael to be driven by profit. Selfish, manipulative, willing to use anyone. Even if it meant pushing her into a pit of fire. But she had never tried to understand his thoughts, what he truly wanted.
He wanted success. Wasn't that the same as her dream of becoming a military doctor? Were those dreams not equally important to them?
"I want to make the Norris Family great. I want my daughter to be a lady of high society," Rafael continued, sensing Callie's softening resolve.
She pressed her lips together. "So, for your dream, you can sacrifice me?"
Rafael spoke earnestly, "How is it sacrificing you? Is Shane ugly? Is he poor? There are so many women out there who want to marry him but don't have the chance or the means. You have this opportunity, so why not seize it? Even if you don't marry Shane, who else could you find? Could you find someone better than him?"
Callie Norris was at a loss for words. She knew very well how desirable Shane was. She had heard about how many women were eager to be with him. But only after spending time with him did she realize how terrible his personality was.
He was completely unsuitable for a long-term relationship. He was just a pretty face. Men like him were best admired from afar, not up close.
"Dad, you're overestimating me. No matter what you say, I won't help you. Gianna was the one who ruined my mom's marriage. How could I possibly save her son?"
Callie stood up. "I'm tired. You should leave." She was clearly asking him to go. "Whether you admit it or not, Myron is your brother."
Callie looked at Rafael. "I don't care. I won't acknowledge him. What can you do about it?"
Rafael showed signs of losing his temper, but considering the situation, he held back.
After all, when you need help, you have to act like you need it.
"Tell me, what will it take for you to help?"
Callie lay down on the bed, closed her eyes, and stopped talking.
Rafael was furious and couldn't hold it in any longer. "Callie, get up!"
"What's so bad about having a brother? If you ever get bullied, who will stand up for you? Only a brother with your blood can have your back. I admit I wronged your mom in marriage, but I didn't abandon you, did I?
Why can't you think about it from my perspective?" Rafael's face was twisted with frustration.
Feeling frustrated and unable to vent his anger, Rafael could only bottle it up, which made him even more upset.
"Think about it yourself," Rafael said as he turned to leave.
Just as he reached the door, he suddenly stopped. "Why are you in the hospital? Are you sick? Is it serious?"
Callie, lying on the hospital bed, slowly opened her eyes. Her gaze was empty as she stared at the ceiling, her voice distant. "Dad, you finally remembered to care about me."
Rafael's heart tightened, he had been neglectful. His mind was preoccupied with Myron's matters.
"Fine, let's just say it's my fault. I made you marry someone you didn't like and live a life you didn't want. It's my mistake." With that, he stepped out of the room.
Shane happened to be arriving at the door.
Rafael didn't expect to see him there and immediately greeted him obsequiously, "President Robinson."
Even though he was Shane's father-in-law, he didn't dare to act superior.
He maintained a submissive and humble demeanor.
Shane's face was quite aloof, as if he had heard Rafael's last words to Callie.
Without acknowledging Rafael, Shane walked straight into the room.
Rafael felt a bit humiliated. After all, wasn't he Shane's father-in-law? Couldn't he at least get a bit of respect?
After being humiliated by Callie Norris and then getting frustrated with Shane Robinson, Rafael stormed off in a huff.
Callie heard Rafael's farewell at the door.
Knowing it was Shane coming in, she decided to pretend to be asleep.
Shane was fuming inside.
"Callie, can you really sleep?" he asked, barely containing his anger.
If it weren't for the fact that Callie was injured, he might have strangled her right then and there.
Marrying him, did she have to endure such humiliation?
Callie pretended not to hear him.
But her trembling eyelashes betrayed the fact that she was still awake.
Shane closed his eyes, forcing himself to suppress his anger.
He took a deep breath, sat down on the edge of the bed, and reached out to touch her face. Callie couldn't hold back and turned her head away.
Shane chuckled, "Not pretending anymore?"
"Pretending? I just woke up," she said lazily, stretching on purpose. "What do you want?"
"You're my wife. Of course, I have to check on you," he replied, still smiling.
"Has Mrs. Ford been taking good care of you lately?"
Callie nodded.
Mrs. Ford was indeed wonderful, taking care of her meticulously.
Her quick recovery was largely thanks to Mrs. Ford.
"When will you be discharged?" he asked.
Callie would rather stay in the hospital than go back to the villa and live under the same roof with him. "Not anytime soon."
Shane saw through her but didn't expose her lie. "Callie, do you think you can hide from me forever?"
She pretended not to understand, "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Fine, just rest up," Shane said as he stood up.
Callie picked up the glass of water from the table and took a leisurely sip, looking completely unconcerned by his departure.
Her expression seemed to say, "Good riddance." Seeing her like this made Shane Robinson's blood boil! but she was injured and he couldn't do anything to her.
Grinding his teeth, he said, "Callie, keep pushing my buttons. One day, I'll make you pay back double."
Callie remained indifferent.
As soon as Shane left, Belinda, who had been hiding in the corner, peeked out.
She had taken a few days off, struggling to come to terms with the recent events that had made her lose her chance with Shane.
Finally composed, she returned to work today, only to see Shane at the hospital.
She thought he had changed his mind and come to find her.
Excited, she was about to call out to him when she saw him heading towards the inpatient department. She followed him and discovered that Callie was hospitalized and he was there to see her. Her hands clenched into tight fists!
Shane had clearly thought it was her that night, so why was he still with Callie? What right did Callie have to take the position of Mrs. Robinson?
The things she had desperately wanted, Callie could get effortlessly.
She was indignant, jealous, and furious.
Would Shane Robinson only hate Callie Norris and divorce her if he saw her with another man?
If that happened, would she have another chance?
Last time, she had successfully schemed against Callie by making her undergo a genetic testing. This time, she was determined to succeed again and make Shane despise Callie.
She and Callie had already torn their relationship apart; the previous method wouldn't work anymore.
So, she thought of another plan. She arrived at the hospital room.
With an air of arrogance, she said, "Callie, you've just started your internship, and you're already taking leave to stay in the hospital. Do you believe I can get the chief to fire you?"
She attempted to threaten.
Callie looked at her as if she were looking at a fool.
"Don't you know that I'm no longer interning at the hospital?"
Callie had already planned to leave, so she had resigned from her internship.
Moreover, being pregnant now, she needed rest and didn't have the energy or time for it.
Belinda hadn't bothered to find this out. She had lost the upper hand right from the start. This made her even angrier.
She knew that Callie's dream was to become a military doctor, and interning here was a crucial step toward that dream.
However, she hadn't expected that Callie had already quit. She had planned to use this against her, but now it seemed impossible.
"Don't you want to be a doctor anymore?" Belinda asked.
Callie looked at her, trying to suppress her anger, her expression turning cold. "Even if I don't work, my husband will take care of me. You already know who my husband is, don't you?"
She knew that Belinda cared about Shane. So she deliberately mentioned him to provoke her.
Sure enough, upon hearing her words, Belinda's suppressed anger exploded. She rushed forward, aiming to strangle Callie. "You stole my position! You should die! If you die, Shane will be mine!"
Callie just wanted to provoke her, not start a fight. Her body couldn't handle it.
"Belinda, do you think Shane would like seeing you act so crazy? Men prefer gentle women. No man likes a shrew."
Her words hit the mark. Belinda cared deeply about how Shane saw her.
"Young Mistress..."
Mrs. Ford came to deliver food and saw Belinda being hostile towards Callie. She quickly put down the food box and rushed over to pull them apart, scolding, "Do you know who she is? How dare you treat her so rudely? Believe me, if I tell my master, you'll be in big trouble!"
Belinda looked at the protective Mrs. Ford, her expression changing multiple times. If it weren't for Callie, she would be the "Young Mistress" Mrs. Ford was talking about!
All the honor that should have been hers had been stolen by Callie!
After all, that night, Shane Robinson thought it was her!
"Callie, I won't let you get away with this!" she threatened once more. Callie's face was equally cold.
If it weren't for the genetic testing, her child might have been as strong and brave as any other, not lost due to some minor injury.
The miscarriage happened because the previous test had already harmed the fetus.
"We're even," Callie said, determined not to let her off the hook either.
After Belinda left, Mrs. Ford came up to check on her. "Young Mistress, are you hurt?"
Callie shook her head. "No, I'm fine."
Mrs. Ford was furious. "What kind of woman is she? So rude! I should call Mr. Robinson and tell him..."
"Don't tell Shane," Callie interrupted Mrs. Ford.
Belinda was so angry and picking a fight with her, likely feeling the same pain from her own miscarriage.
Didn't Shane say that Belinda lost her child in a car accident? For that, she had to thank Myron.
The pain of losing a child was something Shane Robinson and Belinda Ayers should experience too!
"Young Madam, why didn't you let me make a call?" Mrs. Ford couldn't understand.
Mrs. Ford didn't know the relationship between Shane and Callie, but also didn't know that Belinda had just lost her child and was acting irrationally. Shane would surely understand.
So what was the point of telling Shane?
"Mrs. Ford, please make sure she doesn't touch the food you give me," Callie instructed.
Mrs. Ford nodded. "I understand."
Three more days passed in the hospital. Callie was constantly on edge, unable to sleep well at night, fearing that Belinda would come looking for trouble.
She decided it was time to leave the hospital. After these ten days of rest, her body had mostly recovered.
When Gabriel came to visit her that evening, she told him about her decision to be discharged.
"I'll handle the discharge paperwork for you tomorrow morning," Gabriel said.
Callie nodded.
Gabriel wanted to ask, "What will you do if Shane refuses to divorce?"
The words changed direction just before they left her lips. "You've quit your job too. What are you planning to do next?"
Callie lowered her gaze. "I haven't figured it out yet."
Gabriel looked at her, sensing that she had a plan but didn't want to share it. He decided not to press further.
"Alright, I'm leaving." He stood up.
At that moment, Shane walked in.
Seeing Gabriel there, he asked, "She still can't be discharged?"
Gabriel glanced at Callie and replied, "She can. Callie is preparing to be discharged tomorrow."
Shane's brows furrowed. Callie? Why did that name irritate him so much? Callie? He had never called her that!
Gabriel couldn't understand why Shane's gaze was so cold. Had he said something wrong again?
"Never mind, I'll leave now," he said, trying to avoid further provoking Shane.
Shane sat down on the couch, commanding, "I'm thirsty. Get me a glass of water."
His bossy tone was truly annoying.
Yet, Callie had no choice but to obey. She went to pour him a cup.
Shane took it, sipping twice before a slight smile appeared at the corner of his lips. "Callie, do you know something?"
"What?"
Thakuuu