Chapter 51 No Escape
After the surgery, Juniper had lain in a coma for a long and anxious day and night.
It wasn't until the following night that she finally came around.
Magnus was slumped over beside her hospital bed, seemingly asleep.
Forgetting her injuries for a moment, Juniper struggled to prop herself up, reaching for the thin blanket nearby. The movement tugged at the wound on her chest, and she sharply inhaled a breath of cold air from the pain.
Magnus, a light sleeper, stirred at the noise.
He gently but firmly pushed Juniper back down on the bed, his brows furrowing as he asked tersely, "What are you trying to do?"
"Have you been here with me the whole time?"
He denied it without hesitation, "No, Joseph was the one watching over you."
Really?
But there were dark circles under his eyes; he looked like he hadn't slept much, which wasn't the case before.
Magnus handed her the cellphone, "Your phone wouldn't stop ringing while you were out. I answered it for you."
It wasn't Jennifer, was it?
Juniper's heart skipped a beat, "Who... who was it?"
"Your best friend, Ophelia. I told her about your injury."
That meant he probably didn't know Jennifer was also on the line.
Juniper breathed a secret sigh of relief.
She had been meaning to call Ophelia to let her know she was all right.
Out of the blue, Magnus asked, "Why did you take a knife for me?"
Why?
She wanted to know too. It all happened so fast, her mind went blank, and she instinctively stepped in front of him... In that instant, she hadn't thought of the consequences.
"I owed you one. You took a stab for me in jail, didn't you? Consider us even now."
She kept her gaze on her phone, her tone carefree as though it was the simplest thing in the world.
"Do you think this will make me forgive you?"
Juniper didn't look up, her lips curving in a faint smile, "I didn't think so, and besides, it's not as simple as canceling each other's debts with a stab. I'll try to repay what I owe you..."
"With what? Your life?" His tone was mocking.
Juniper tugged at the corners of her pale lips, "If you want it, you can have it."
She had long since lost her will to live.
However, before she died, she hoped Magnus would come to accept Jennifer, to treat her kindly.
She indeed owed him, but Jennifer did not.
The man furrowed his brows, his gaze icy as he stared at her, an inexplicable agitation churning within. "Do you really think your life is so valuable? That it can settle all debts and grudges?"
"What do you want then, Mr. Blackwood?"
"Your life is worthless to me, and I have no interest in it. I don't need you trading your life for mine, especially not with this foolish notion of taking a bullet for me out of some misguided sense of obligation. Don't let there be a next time."
Juniper looked up at him. "Are you showing concern for me, Mr. Blackwood?"
"Concern? You think I'd care for someone who caused me to end up behind bars? Juniper, remember this—you owe me a debt you can never repay, so don't even bother trying."
He stood up, turned, and left the hospital room.
Juniper lay on the hospital bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.
Magnus truly did understand her.
The thought of remaining in his debt, unable to pay it off, frightened her more than the price of repayment. Being unable to settle the score was like carrying a heavy moral cross in her heart, torturing herself unendingly day by day.
The slow pain of this torment was far worse than the mercy of a swift cut.
...
Down in the hospital's small garden, Magnus sat on a bench, a crimson cigarette butt pinched between his slender fingers.
The scent of burning tobacco mixed with a faint trace of agarwood, a calming and penetrating aroma.
Six years ago, she had sworn her love for him, promising eternity.
But in the blink of an eye, she betrayed him without hesitation.
Now, she could throw away their engagement ring without a second thought, and just as quickly, she could step in front of him to take a blade...
He was struggling to discern which version of Juniper was real.
Perhaps every moment was genuine, and every sentiment heartfelt, but what was the true worth of Juniper's sincerity?
Professing love on one hand, betraying him on the other.
That was Juniper, an enigma.
He was lost in thought when his phone rang.
The caller ID flashed: Robert.
He dismissed the call once, not in the mood to talk to anyone.
But the phone was persistent, ringing again.
Upon answering, Robert's voice was irate. "What the hell, not taking my calls? Don't tell me you've crawled back into bed with Juniper and are playing house again?"
The voice on the other end was loud enough to be ear-splitting.
Magnus pulled the phone back, frowning as he replied coldly, "What are you yelling for? Even if I had, it wouldn't be the first or the last time."
Robert was exasperated, "Who was it that swore they wouldn't step in the same river twice? Magnus, oh Magnus, looks like you've fallen countless times now! I heard Juniper took a hit meant for you, and now you're going soft again?"
"I didn't expect her to step in front of me."
Robert was always skeptical about Juniper. "What if this is one of her tricks? 'Betrayal is a one-time deal; a single act, and you're done.' Aren't those your very own wise words, Magnus? If someone else had testified against you in the court, landing you in jail for three years, with your character, you would've torn them apart. So how come when it comes to Juniper, you lose all common sense?"
He scoffed, "If taking a knife for me is part of her daring game, then she's succeeded. The image of her shielding me keeps replaying in my mind."
On the other end of the line, Robert sighed, a mix of frustration and disappointment, "You're just too soft on her. Juniper, that woman's cunning knows no bounds, playing you like a fiddle! You're trapped!"
Holding the phone, his voice was cold and detached, "Not anymore. Once I'm back from the City, I'll end all ties with her."
The more entangled he became, the harder it was to free himself.
Eventually, one could find oneself consumed.
After finishing his last cigarette, he pinched off the cherry red butt with forceful fingers.
The sting against his skin jolted him back to clarity.
...
When Magnus returned to the hospital ward, it was already the early hours of the morning.
He came in with several white plastic bags and set them down in front of Juniper, "Picked up some food."
Inside, there was oatmeal, pancakes, and a chicken sandwich.
"You remembered I like sandwiches."
Magnus denied it nonchalantly, "Just a random pick from the store."
Fine, a random pick from the store it was.
Juniper didn't argue, quietly starting to eat. After a few sips of the oatmeal, she looked up at him, "Did you eat?"
Magnus didn't answer her directly but instead said, "I talked to the doctor. You can be discharged in a week. If you don't want to stay in the City, you can be transferred back to a hospital in Capital City. I'll have Joseph take care of the hospital bills and treatments."
Juniper nodded, "Okay, if you need to get back to Capital City for work, go ahead. Don't worry about me."
Her tone was gentle, even considerate.
Magnus simply couldn't stand her impassiveness, like a lifeless mannequin.
No matter what he said, she retained this obedient demeanor.
Yet, it was no longer his concern.
"From now on, our deal is off. Whatever you do going forward, I won't interfere."
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
