Dominic walked through the polished corridor of the private hospital with steady, unhurried steps.
He stopped before a private ward and knocked once before pushing it open.
Inside, Mr. Frederick lay against elevated pillows, dressed in a pale hospital gown. Though his face appeared slightly drawn, the sharpness in his eyes remained untouched.
Beside the bed sat Vera, carefully peeling an apple in one continuous spiral, her movements elegant and unhurried. On the opposite side sat Nolan, their only son, flipping through a stack of documents as if the hospital were merely another office.
As Dominic entered, both Vera and Nolan glanced at him briefly but said nothing.
It was Dominic who broke the silence.
"Good morning."
Only then did Mr. Frederick shift his gaze toward him. After a moment, he gestured faintly to a chair. Vera rose without a word, placed the neatly sliced apple into Frederick's hand, then moved toward the window where a cushioned seat awaited her. She resumed peeling another apple, her attention seemingly elsewhere, though her ears missed nothing.
Dominic sat.
"Hope you are feeling better now."
Instead of answering, Frederick studied him.
"I heard of your plan from Vera."
"That's right," Dominic replied calmly. "Once Fay is admitted, she won't trouble you about the land anymore. And with her daughter staying with me… she'll eventually learn where she belongs."
Frederick clicked his tongue softly.
"What a pity," he murmured.
"She refused the opportunity that could have changed her life."
The words sounded casual, and though Dominic understand what was not said .
He gave no reaction and chose, not to acknowledge it.
"Well, some outcomes are inevitable"
Frederick continued.
"But tell me… aren't you letting her off too lightly? I am lying here because of her."
Dominic opened his mouth, but Frederick cut him off.
"The land will be mine regardless. It is not as though she has the power to stop it."
Near the window, Vera smirked faintly. Nolan did not react at all, the steady flipping of paper filling the room with a dry rhythm.
At last, Dominic spoke.
"Fay is still my sister-in-law. Surely you are magnanimous enough to overlook this… unfortunate incident. Besides, being separated from her daughter is punishment enough. That child is the only thing keeping her standing."
His voice lowered slightly.
"I will handle everything personally."
Frederick watched him closely.
Dominic leaned forward just a fraction.
"We still have many profitable years ahead as business partners. It would be unwise to let a small disturbance interfere with what we are building."
A pause.
He held Frederick's gaze.
Unblinking.
"Besides," Dominic added coolly, "Fay is no longer in her right mind. She may remain there for a very long time."
The eye contact stretched.
Then Frederick laughed.
"You are right. Business should never suffer over trivial matters."
Only then did Dominic relax into his seat.
After a few more pleasantries, he rose and excused himself.
The moment the door shut behind him, Vera returned to the bedside and placed the half-peeled apple down with a soft thud.
"Such a two-faced man," she said.
"Is it truly wise to enter a long-term partnership with someone like him?" Nolan asked, finally lifting his eyes from the files.
Frederick bit into the apple leisurely.
"He is not a man one discards easily. That patience of his… do you know how many years he waited before claiming what he wanted?"
He smiled faintly.
"This collaboration benefits us both."
"Father, do you really intend to keep him?" Vera pressed.
Frederick did not answer.
He simply smiled.
And that smile said far more than words ever could.
By the time Sally and Elena returned home that evening, the sky had already begun to darken.
Without a word, Sally walked straight to her room and shut the door.
Since leaving the station, the child had been unusually quiet. Elena had tried everything, a visit to the park, sweet treats, even the promise of new dresses, yet nothing held the girl's attention for long.
And whenever something did…
"Mommy would like this."
"Do you think Mommy has eaten?"
"Can we bring one for Mommy?"
Fay this.
Fay that.
Elena stared at the closed door and sighed before heading toward the kitchen.
Dominic returned late that night, long after dinner had been prepared. Sally barely touched her food.
Later, when the house fell into a muted silence, Elena finally walked to the child's room.
She turned the knob carefully, only to find it was never locked.
"Sally dear," she called softly.
A small shape lay curled beneath the blanket.
No response.
Elena sat beside her.
"Are you upset with Aunty? You've ignored me all afternoon… it makes my chest ache."
Slowly, Sally pushed the blanket down and sat up, her eyes glossy.
"I didn't get to see Mommy again."
Elena exhaled quietly, but before she could respond, Sally continued:
"You said Mommy is sick… but she was at the station today. And she didn't look sick."
For a moment, Elena was speechless.
She pulled the girl closer, smoothing her hair.
"Aunty didn't lie. Mommy is very sick. That kind that needs special doctors. She'll be transferred soon."
She tilted her head slightly.
"Would you like us to visit her at the hospital later?"
Sally nodded immediately.
Yet her brow remained furrowed.
"But...why was Mommy at the station?"
"Hm, she had something important to settle. Don't worry, she won't stay there long."
"…Okay."
The tension slowly left the child's shoulders.
After Sally finally drifted to sleep, Elena switched off the light and closed the door gently behind her.
When she entered her bedroom, she found Dominic loosening his shirt buttons. He looked distracted.
She stepped forward to help with the buttons.
"What are you thinking about?"
"It's nothing. Just work."
He grabbed fresh clothes and disappeared into the bathroom.
Elena quietly watched him walk toward the bathroom, choosing not to press further.
Cold water cascaded over Dominic's shoulders.
And with it, the memory returned.
Earlier that day.
The station.
Fay sat across from him at a narrow iron table, her eyes burning with restrained fury.
"I assume Elena has explained everything," he had said smoothly. "And I trust you have no objections, Sister-in-law."
"You…" Her voice trembled.
"What are you planning?"
He chuckled softly.
"I am planning nothing. Everything is already arranged. It is for the family's good. Yet you keep creating trouble… now you must be separated from your daughter."
Fay trembled.
At the mention of Sally, her fingers curled.
Dominic leaned back.
"I still consider you family Fay," Dominic continued. "As Ray's brother, I will personally ensure you receive proper treatment."
She let out a cold laugh.
Then she stared straight into him.
"What did you do to Ray?"
For the briefest second, Dominic's composure cracked.
But only for a second.
"Is your illness worsening? Do you not remember how your husband died?"
Her voice dropped.
"You think you can hide it forever? You and Mr. Frederick… both of you will pay.You'll regret what you did to my family"
His gaze darkened.
That old man talks too much.
"And how," Dominic asked quietly, "do you plan to make us pay?"
Fay froze.
Stunned by the ease of his response.
"You… what did you do to my husband?!"
She lunged.
Weak as she was, Dominic caught her easily and slammed her back against the iron table.
The metal screeched loudly.
Slowly he bent close to her ear.
"Sally is still with me. Do you wish to lose your daughter as well?"
"You animal!" she spat.
He chuckled.
"Look at you, powerless. If you want to protect the last thing you have, keep your mouth shut and stay obedient in that hospital. Then perhaps… your daughter will grow up in comfort."
He released her.
She collapsed hard against the table and fell.
The noise finally brought an officer rushing inside.
In an instant, Dominic's demeanor transformed.
He crouched beside her, face full of concern.
"Sister-in-law, please… accept treatment. Do it for Sally at least."
Fay's eyes burned crimson.
"If you touch my child, I will make you regret the day you were born!"
The officers restrained her as she struggled violently, her gaze never leaving Dominic.
"Are you alright, sir?" one officer asked.
Dominic nodded, face painted with concern.
"Please… take good care of her."
Back in the present, Dominic remained beneath the cold water far longer than necessary.
At last, he lifted his head and stared into the mirror, droplets tracing sharp lines down his face.
His reflection looked calm.
Resolved.
Sister-in-law… you forced my hand.