Fallyn’s POV

The next day, I dressed neatly and was about to head out when I ran into Garth coming back with Heisley.

Seeing me ready to leave, he suddenly stepped forward.

“I’ll give you a ride, honey,” he offered.

I hadn’t even replied before he went on, speaking as if my answer didn’t matter.

“About what happened yesterday, you were indeed in the wrong. But I’ve already apologized to Heisley on your behalf. Just don’t let it happen again, alright? Anyway, you’re going to the hospital to see your dad, right? Well, you’re right on time. Heisley’s going there, too.”

With that, he grabbed my arm and pulled me toward the car.

Heisley was quicker than me, slipping straight into the passenger seat. And then she looked back at me with open provocation.

“I get carsick, Fallyn,” she explained. “Please let me sit here, okay?”

Garth nodded in agreement beside her.

I swallowed the bitter laugh that rose in my throat and said flatly, “Whatever.”

When we reached the hospital, I ignored them entirely and went straight into Dad’s ward.

He was still asleep, so I didn’t wake him. Instead, I turned to find a doctor and get an update on his condition.

His previous attending physician had already been sent abroad by Garth. At least now, I could finally get the truth.

A while later, I returned to the ward, gripping Dad’s medical report tightly in hand.

I hadn’t even stepped fully inside when I saw Heisley leaning toward him, speaking in a low voice. Garth stood a short distance away, watching them.

In the next instant, Dad’s eyes flew open, and his face flushed a dangerous red.

I froze for a moment, and then I rushed forward and shoved Heisley away.

“Dad! Dad, what’s wrong?” I cried.

He pointed at Heisley, gasping for breath.

“S-She…”

Before he could finish, he clutched his chest and collapsed.

I didn’t have time to think. I shot to my feet, calling frantically for help.

By the time he was rushed into the operating room, I spun on my heel and stormed toward Heisley.

“What the hell did you say to my dad?!” I demanded.

Before I could even touch her, Garth stepped in front of me, blocking my way.

His entire face was tense as he turned to check on the woman behind him, as though worried I might frighten her.

She gazed at him with pitiful eyes, though a glint of triumph flickered deep within them.

“Garth, I really didn’t do anything!” she swore.

“Garth! Let go of me!” I demanded.

But instead of releasing me, his grip only tightened so hard it felt like he might break my wrist.

I looked into his face, and a wave of despair swept over me.

In his heart, I was worth far less than Heisley. Whether I was right or wrong, he would always take her side.

The thought drained the last of my strength. I let my hand fall limp in his grasp.

For a moment, he seemed to falter when he saw the hopelessness in my expression.

But before he could say a word, Heisley suddenly rushed forward and slapped me across the face.

The force was so strong a sharp crack rang out in the corridor.

My head snapped to the side, and I even tasted blood in my mouth.

“Fallyn!” her eyes brimmed with tears. “I told you, I didn’t do anything! Why did you have to kidnap my mom and my dad?!”

I stared at her, utterly stunned.

Fallyn’s POV

“I did not!”

I shouted it with every ounce of strength I had.

Garth paused when he heard me.

Noticing this, Heisley’s gaze flickered with a hint of malice. She pulled out her phone, tears streaming down her face as she pleaded toward him.

“Garth, please… please make her release my parents. I’ll beg and apologize to her as long as she’s willing to let go of them!”

Garth glanced at the video on Heisley’s phone, his expression unreadable.

The next second, he began walking toward me, each step slow.

“Fallyn. Apologize to Heisley,” he said. His voice was calm, even tinged with exhaustion.

“Tell me,” he asked, “where did you take her parents?”

A chill seeped through me. My voice came out hoarse and strained.

“I didn’t fucking kidnap them!”

The next moment, his hand clamped around my chin, hard and unyielding.

“Why?” His deep, shadowed eyes bored into mine. “Why would you do something like this?”

“If you don’t tell me the truth right now,” he warned, “I’ll have no choice but to stop your dad’s surgery.”

My eyes widened in disbelief. I stared at him, unable to believe what I’d just heard.

“Garth! That’s my father!”

He let out a long sigh, but his tone was chillingly damn serious.

“You’re the one who chose to disregard the lives of Heisley’s parents. Now, cooperate with me—tell me where they are, and nothing will happen to your dad.”

I glared at him, my heart twisting in bitter realization at how laughable all my devotion to him had been.

“Garth,” I rasped, forcing the words out, “I told you—I didn’t do it. Why won’t you believe me?”

Something flickered in his eyes. He released me suddenly, and for the briefest moment, guilt crossed his face.

But almost instantly, Heisley’s sobs rose from behind him.

She crawled closer on her knees, tears falling as she choked out, “Fallyn… my parents can’t hold on much longer. Please, I’m begging you, let them go! I’m begging you—just please…”

Before her words had even faded, Garth’s face darkened.

He waved a hand sharply. And in an instant, bodyguards rushed toward Dad’s operating room!

The next second, the red light above the door went dark…

And then, the chief surgeon was dragged out by force!

My vision went red. I lunged forward, trying to shove the surgeon back inside, but Garth’s grip locked around my wrist like iron.

“Let me go! I told you I didn’t do it! Let the surgeon back in! Hurry!”

My voice broke into a hysterical shout.

But Garth only stared at me with indifference, his grip not loosening in the slightest.

“Apologize to Heisley, tell me where her parents are, and your father’s surgery will continue,” he demanded.

“Otherwise…” he warned, “that red light above your father’s OR will never come on again.”

My whole body trembled like a leaf in the wind.

“They’re in the basement of the West Hill Villa.”

Clinging to the last scrap of hope, I lied.

Garth studied my face for several seconds, and then he finally released me.

I rushed to the surgeon, shoving him back through the doors of the OR.

But only minutes later, he came out again.

He sighed, shaking his head.

“I’m sorry. We couldn’t save him.”

My pupils trembled. My eyes went wide.

“No… No, that’s impossible. Dad wouldn’t just die…”

I couldn’t hold myself back any longer. I stumbled into the room, only to be met with Dad’s lifeless, pallid face.

All strength drained from my body, and I collapsed to the floor.

Even Garth froze for a moment at the sight.

He reached out, as if to comfort me.

But then Heisley’s choked voice came from the doorway.

“Garth, can we go find my parents now? Please, I’m really so worried about them…”

His outstretched hand stilled in midair.

A few seconds passed before his voice came, rough and low.

“Sorry. Lives are at stake.”

With that, he turned and strode away, his steps urgent and eager to rescue Heisley’s parents.

That made a cold laugh escape from my throat.

“Garth. If you walk out that door, I swear, I will never forgive you for the rest of my life!”

His stride faltered for a split second. But in the end, he didn’t hesitate. He left.

I stared after his disappearing figure, feeling the hatred burning in my chest.

So Heisley’s parents’ lives mattered, but my dad’s didn’t?!

Thank God… Thank God, I had already prepared for this.

I felt Dad’s faint and shallow breath, and tears spilled down my face.

Calming myself, I sent a single message.

Within minutes, someone came to take him away.

In just four more days, I would be able to leave this hell for good!

Fallyn’s POV

After taking care of Dad’s affairs, I returned to the villa.

I packed away all my identification documents and a few changes of clothes.

Everything Garth had ever given me—I had no intention of taking with me. In fact, I had already destroyed part of it.

The door swung open just as I zipped my suitcase shut.

Garth’s eyes darkened when he saw the scene before him.

“Where are you going?” he asked.

I glanced at him calmly, offering no reply.

He froze for a moment, as if remembering what had happened in the hospital. Then he said, “I know you’re still grieving. Your father’s death… I feel sorry about it too.”

In an instant, he shifted the blame to me. “But in the end, this all happened because you kidnapped Heisley’s parents. Otherwise, none of this would have occurred. You’re just paying for your crime.”

He actually said it matter-of-factly. Behind him, Heisley suddenly appeared, tears streaming down her face.

She clutched the sleeve of his shirt, crying in a pitiful, trembling voice. “Garth, we still don’t know where my parents are. What do I do?”

The moment her words fell, Garth’s expression hardened.

His gaze turned cold as he looked at me. “Fallyn, that address you gave in the hospital was fake. Heisley’s parents were never there. Now, tell me where they are. Right this instant.”

I met his eyes and let out a cold laugh.

“I already told you it wasn’t me. Now that my dad is dead, what more can you possibly threaten me with?”

His brows knitted tightly.

After a moment of hesitation, he said, “Stop being difficult, honey. Don’t make me use extreme measures. As long as you tell us where Heisley’s parents are, everything can be put behind us. But if you refuse… I’ll have no choice but to let the law deal with you.”

After that, a glint of ruthless determination flashed in his eyes.

Meanwhile, Heisley tugged timidly at his sleeve. “Garth, isn’t that going too far? No matter what, she’s still your wife.”

Her tone was soft, almost pleading. But when her gaze flicked toward me, a trace of mockery flashed in her eyes.

Garth looked at her with pained tenderness. “Heisley, you’re far too kind. Even if she is my wife, that doesn’t excuse what she’s done!”

Her eyes reddened with emotion, and she bit her lip before throwing herself into his arms.

Garth instinctively glanced my way. When he saw the unshakable calm on my face, irritation flickered across his expression.

Almost as if to prove something, he wrapped his arms around Heisley even tighter.

“Garth, you’re far too good to me,” she murmured tearfully. “If Fallyn is willing to tell us where my parents are, then don’t lock her up. But if she still refuses… just imprison her for a few days.”

Garth was silent for a few seconds before his gaze turned cold again.

“You heard her, Fallyn. Speak up. Heisley has already been more than forgiving toward you.”

There was a flicker of something complicated in his eyes.

But in the end, I answered, my voice firm and unwavering. “I didn’t do anything!”

With that, I gripped my suitcase and made to leave.

His heart probably gave a faint tremor at my resolute demeanor, but anger quickly outweighed any trace of panic.

Glancing at the still-crying Heisley, he shut his eyes for a brief moment. When he opened them again, he gave a sharp wave of his hand.

The next second, someone seized me in an iron grip. I struggled with all my strength, but it was useless—I was dragged out with brutal force!