Chapter 2
Chapter 2
288 Vouchers
Swallowing the bitterness in my throat, I wiped my father clean.
He’d rushed from our hometown to visit Victor and me, still clutching bags of local specialties when the accident hap- pened.
By the time I arrived, only scattered debris and my bloodied father remained.
This was Victor’s first hospital visit since the incident.
“Dad, feeling better?”
He set down the fruit basket, feigning concern.
I rose coldly to fetch water, refusing to share space with him.
My peripheral vision caught his inexplicable sigh of relief.
When I returned, he was clutching Dad’s hand in gratitude, eyes suspiciously red-rimmed.
Spotting me, he hastily excused himself citing work demands.
Dad weakly grasped my hand, trembling as he whispered, “Just focus on building a good life together.”
Confused, I assumed he’d noticed the tension between Victor and me.
Then the investigating officer’s voice crackled through my phone, baffled: “Didn’t you settle? Your father agreed per- sonally.”
Veins throbbed wildly at my temples, rage shaking my entire body.
Suddenly Victor’s hospital visit made sense-phone pressed to Dad’s ear, everything crystal clear.
The officer played Dad’s recording, exasperated: “His own voice, signed settlement agreement-can’t fake that. Your family’s baffling: one moment demanding accountability, the next moment dropping it. Even your husband helped the other side-”
His words hung unfinished. I stared at my clenched fists.
Deborah transferred compensation to my account, smirking slyly as she leaned close: “Victor’s just overly protective. Told him I could pay myself, but he insisted on reimbursing me.”
My hand twitched upward involuntarily.
“Sweetheart!”
Victor materialized, engulfing my fist in his palm.
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Chapter 2
He shot Deborah a warning glare before threading his fingers through mine.
“Let’s visit Dad.”
Deborah pouted, interrupting: “Victor, I’m too shaken to drive. Could you give me a ride home?”
He hesitated barely a second before nodding.
I wrenched my hand free with a bitter laugh, walking away.
Victor’s text buzzed en route: “Be there soon, sweetheart.”
Darkness fell without his arrival at the hospital.
My phone chimed incessantly. I slipped into the hallway to answer.
Victor’s voice came through, followed by urgent panting.
“You little slut… are you wearing the one I bought for you?
“Yeah…Every piece… top to bottom.”
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288 Vouchers
The sounds pouring from the receiver pierced my heart like shards of glass.
I thought I’d long grown accustomed to this, believed I’d completely let go of all feelings for Victor Ramirez. Yet fac- ing it now, the healed scab was ripped open again, blood gushing out.
After my father was discharged from the hospital, he insisted on returning to his hometown. Only after seeing him off did I head home.
Opening the door, days-old leftovers still sat on the dining table. Every corner of the house screamed that Victor had- n’t been back during this time.
Ignoring the moldy and smelly food, I walked straight to my room to pack my luggage.
But just as I reached the foyer, the door swung open from outside.
“Who are you?
How dare you break into my daughter’s home?”
A couple stood at the door with luggage and keys.
