Chapter 5
933words
My foster parents' attitude toward me worsened. Bianca's new status inflated their egos, and I became the target of their cold mockery.
That day, while cleaning a conference room, I suddenly heard Bianca's voice from the hallway. She was walking past with several executives, her laughter full of smugness.
"...and then she actually insisted the bracelet was hers," Bianca's voice was clearly audible. "Pathetic, isn't it? A cleaner imagining herself as the Blackwood heiress."
The executives laughed politely, but I could feel their gazes through the glass door. Bianca was deliberately speaking loud enough for me to hear. My hands gripped the mop tightly, knuckles turning white.
Just then, Logan appeared in the hallway, clearly heading to a meeting. He saw me, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes before being quickly replaced by professional detachment.
"Logan, darling!" Bianca immediately changed her tone, her voice becoming sweet and charming. She elegantly took his arm, as if staking her claim. "I was just telling everyone about our wedding plans. Mother wants to hold it at the estate, just like she and father did."
Logan smiled politely, but I noticed his body slightly stiffen. "We haven't confirmed any plans yet, Bianca. These things shouldn't be rushed."
Bianca's smile froze momentarily, but she quickly recovered. "Of course, darling. We have plenty of time." She turned to the other executives, "Please go in first. We'll join you shortly."
After the executives entered the conference room, Bianca made sure I could hear her next words. "Logan, you don't need to be so nice to Zoe. She's just a cleaner, and she tried to impersonate me."
I continued wiping the windows, pretending not to hear, but each word stung like a knife.
"Everyone deserves respect, Bianca," Logan said calmly. "Regardless of their position."
"You're always so kind," Bianca sighed, obvious dissatisfaction in her voice. "That's why I love you. But sometimes, you need to be firmer."
I felt a wave of dizziness hit me, perhaps because I'd barely eaten today, or maybe due to several days of insufficient sleep. The room began to spin, my vision blurring.
"Zoe?" Logan's voice seemed to come from far away. "Are you alright?"
I tried to answer, but my lips wouldn't move. I felt myself falling forward, then everything went dark.
When I woke again, I found myself lying in a hospital bed. Sunlight filtered through the curtains, warm and soft. I tried to sit up, but a sharp pain made me fall back onto the pillow.
"Don't move," a familiar voice said. I turned to see Logan sitting in a chair beside the bed, concern on his face. "The doctor says you need rest."
"What... what happened to me?" I asked weakly.
"You fainted," Logan explained. "Probably from dehydration and malnutrition. The doctor says you haven't been eating properly for days."
I closed my eyes, feeling a wave of shame. "I'm sorry for causing trouble."
"No, don't apologize," Logan said firmly. "This isn't your fault."
Just then, the hospital room door opened, and Bianca walked in with feigned concern on her face.
"Oh, you're awake," she said, her voice sweet but her eyes cold. "You gave us quite a scare."
She walked to Logan's side and put her hand on his shoulder. "Darling, we should go. Mother is waiting for us for dinner."
Logan didn't respond immediately, his gaze still on me. "Are you sure you're alright, Zoe?"
I nodded, not wanting to appear weak in front of Bianca. "I'm fine. Thank you for bringing me to the hospital."
"It's his responsibility," Bianca said coldly. "After all, you fainted in his company." She turned to Logan, "We really should go now."
Logan stood up, but his movements were slow, as if hesitant. "The doctor says you need to rest for a few days," he told me. "I've arranged sick leave for you, so don't worry about work."
"How thoughtful," Bianca said sarcastically. "But we really must go."
As they prepared to leave, a nurse walked in. "Sorry to interrupt," she said, "but I need to change the patient's bandages."
Bianca frowned. "Bandages?"
The nurse nodded. "Yes, the wounds on her back need to be redressed."
I felt a wave of panic. Those wounds were my foster father's "lesson" after I tried to dispute Bianca's identity. I didn't want anyone to see them.
"I'm... I'm fine," I hurriedly said. "They don't need changing now."
But the nurse had already started preparing materials. "No, we need to ensure the wounds don't get infected."
Logan looked confused. "What wounds?"
The nurse looked at me, then at Logan and Bianca. "The patient has several serious wounds on her back. Some are new, some appear to be years old."
The room fell silent. Logan's expression changed from confusion to concern. "How did you get these wounds, Zoe?"
I couldn't answer, shame and fear rendering me speechless.
Bianca cleared her throat, clearly uncomfortable. "This doesn't concern us, Logan. We should go."
She pulled at Logan's arm, but he didn't move. Instead, his gaze fell on Bianca's exposed back—she was wearing a backless dress today, her smooth skin showing no marks whatsoever.
Logan's gaze moved between Bianca's flawless back and my wounds hidden under the hospital gown. A flash of doubt crossed his eyes, but he quickly masked it.
"I see," he finally said, his voice calm but his eyes showing a new determination. "We should go."
