Chapter 53 The Case Emerges
"Diana, where the heck have you been all night? Edward and I called you a million times!" Mia's voice was loud and clearly pissed. I had to hold the phone away from my ear.
My excitement vanished in an instant, and I snapped back, "I was at a class reunion. It was super noisy, so I didn't hear my phone. I'm not a kid; do I have to report my every move?"
Mia didn't bother asking where I was but raised her voice even more, "Anne's sick at the police station. You need to get to Hopewell Hospital and be with her."
I yelled, "Why should I? It's not my fault she ended up at the police station. Why do I have to go?"
Mia was just as mad. "Diana, it is your fault that Anne ended up at the police station?"
I was stunned. I couldn't believe she thought Anne being taken to the police station was my fault.
"Mom, do you even know what happened? She bribed some thug to stab and kidnap me, which got me arrested. She and Edward even tortured me," I shouted into the phone.
"No matter what, Anne's in a bad spot now. We can't just ignore it," Mia's voice softened a bit.
"Why does it have to be me? Mom, why do you always think you can run my life? I have my own life and feelings. I've been through a lot lately, and I'm exhausted. I need to rest. Let Anne find someone else!" I argued loudly.
"She ended up in the hospital because of you. Besides, Anne is Edward's sister. It's basic decency for you to be with her. You must go! Don't make it difficult for me." Mia's words were final.
I suddenly got what she meant. Edward must've sobered up and remembered that night he begged me to let Anne go, and I refused. So he thought of using her to force me to comply.
When I rushed to the hospital, I bumped into Edward in the hallway, who had just finished washing some fruit. A flash of surprise crossed his eyes, but he quickly went back to his cold demeanor.
"What are you doing here?" Edward asked coldly.
I felt a pang of sadness but still stiffened my neck and said, "Didn't you call my mom to make me come to the hospital? Why are you pretending to be innocent now?"
A misty look appeared in Edward's eyes. He frowned but said nothing, then turned and went into the ward. I hesitated at the door for a moment, took a deep breath, and finally decided to go in and take a look. Anne, pale-faced, was leaning against Edward, eating fruit. The sight made my heart feel like it was being cut by a knife.
"Anne, you really have some tricks. Just a few days in the police station, and now you're out enjoying life again?" I couldn't help but mock her. Anne slightly lifted her body from Edward, looking fragile as if she might break at any moment.
"Diana, don't say that. I'm really sick, and Edward had no choice but to bring me back," Anne slightly raised her eyes, a smug smile playing on her lips, her gaze provocative. "Diana, Edward is taking care of me willingly. If you can't stand it, then leave."Even though Anne was explaining, her expression screamed, "I'm in charge here."
"What happened that day was an accident. I didn't mean to target you. Back in school, that guy pursued me, but I wasn't interested in someone with such a dark personality and extreme actions. So I turned him down. When he heard about our conflict, he wanted to kidnap you to impress me and make me date him. But that idiot mistook me for you and kidnapped me instead. I've never been in a relationship; you and Edward should know that, right?" Anne suddenly lowered her eyes and started talking about that day. Her performance was so stiff, it made me cringe.
She wasn't telling the whole truth.
"I've seen through your little games. You're just a sad person who can only get attention by pulling stunts like this," I sneered. "That 'boy' who was chasing you? Your ex-boyfriend. And that 'kidnapping'? You thought you could fool Edward, but not me. Your plan was for him to kidnap me and then rape me, so I'd be too ashamed to ever show my face in the Howard family again. Then you could swoop in and become Mrs. Howard. Am I right?"
Dropping the truth bomb left Edward and Anne stunned, and the whole room went silent. After a while, Edward broke the silence. "Aren't you fine now? Why do you still hold a grudge against Anne?"
A wave of exhaustion washed over me. I walked out of the room. To my surprise, Edward followed me.
In the dimly lit hospital corridor, Edward pulled me aside and started talking about Anne's condition.
"Diana, Anne is sick. She's really fragile right now," Edward said seriously.
I looked at him coldly, "What does that have to do with me?"
Edward frowned. "I know she did a lot of wrong things before, but now that she's like this, can't you be more forgiving? You should accept and forgive her."
I couldn't help but raise my voice, "Edward, how can you ask me to forgive her? After all the harm she did to me, should it just be forgotten?"
Edward seemed anxious. "But she's already relapsed in the police station. This is God's punishment for her. Can't you let go of your hatred?"
I took a deep breath and straightened my back. "Edward, you're wrong. I'm not that forgiving. Maybe I would have been swayed by your words before, but not anymore. She has to face the consequences of her actions. Being sick doesn't erase everything. I won't be led by your unreasonable demands anymore. My heart won't be easily swayed by you."
Edward's eyes widened, clearly not expecting me to be so firm. "Diana, you've changed."
From the room, Anne seemed to have heard our conversation. She weakly called out, "Edward, don't make it hard for Diana. It's all my fault. I'm the one to blame."
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