Chapter 5
819words
A nurse clattered things around, muttering under her breath.
"World's upside down. The rescuer's unconscious, the criminal's wide awake."
"His own mother's still in bed, but he drops the charges first. Ridiculous."
I struggled to sit up, my eyes locking onto the nurse's face.
"You're Jessica's friend, aren't you?"
"She might drop charges, but I won't."
The nurse flounced out.
Soon, Caleb rushed in, looking haggard.
"Sophie, must you cause more trouble?"
"Do you know how hard I worked to convince Jessica to drop this?!"
"She's letting it go! What more do you want?!"
I stared at him coldly, silent.
My pale, frail state seemed to unsettle him. His tone softened slightly.
"Look, the nurse says you're physically okay."
"Just apologize sincerely to Jessica, and we can put this behind us."
Apologize to her?
I laughed coldly.
"I won't apologize. I want her in prison."
Caleb lost control, grabbing my hospital gown collar.
Veins bulged on his hand as he fought not to hit me.
"You're being unreasonable! Have you lost your mind?!"
"After everything I've done for you! Why are you so fixated on destroying Jessica?!"
I shook my head, reaching under my pillow and pulling out divorce papers.
"I've signed."
"Caleb, I told you. Jessica started the fire. She wanted me and the baby dead!"
Caleb didn't even glance at the papers. He snatched them, ripped them to shreds, and threw the pieces at me.
"Sophie! Have you no humanity left?! No conscience?!"
"You nearly killed an innocent girl! After I've helped you so much! How dare you treat me like this?!"
His words hung in the air as a nurse called from the doorway,
"Caleb, your mother's awake."
His grip vanished instantly. He was gone like a shot.
Summoning my strength, I followed to Grandma Harrison's room.
Caleb knelt by her bed, his back rigid.
"Mom... thank God you're awake."
"Sophie... she just made a mistake. Don't blame her. It's my fault... I spoiled her... let her become like this..."
Grandma's eyes shifted. Then, her hand shot out, delivering a sharp slap to Caleb's face.
Caleb, unprepared, was knocked sideways.
He clutched his reddening cheek, stunned.
"Mom, I know you're angry... but Sophie lost the baby..."
"I can't send her to prison now... I..."
"I don't want her hurt."
I stood in the doorway, a bitter smile twisting my lips.
He thought Grandma blamed him for marrying me?
Grandma narrowed her eyes, looking at her son with utter disappointment.
"Stop your nonsense! What fire? Sophie was with me the whole day! How could she start a fire?!"
Caleb froze, stammering incoherently before blurting,
"But... Jessica said Sophie invited her over... locked her in... and set the fire..."
Grandma sat bolt upright.
Hearing this, she kicked Caleb squarely in the chest.
"You fool! Didn't you hear me? Sophie was with me!"
"When you carried that Jessica out... when Jessica said no one was inside... it was Sophie who gave me the last of the water! She saved my life!"
Caleb's pupils dilated. He remained sprawled on the floor, motionless.
Grandma spotted me in the doorway and gestured me over.
A torrent of emotions choked me. Finally, I spoke,
"Mom... Mrs. Harrison..."
Tears streamed down her face. She surged up, hitting and kicking Caleb again.
"What's wrong with your brain?! Haven't I told you Jessica's trouble?!"
"You neglect your own wife, chasing after that... that girl!"
Amidst the chaos, Jessica appeared, her voice sugary sweet.
"Caleb?"
He turned to her, eyes bloodshot.
"Jessica! How could you be so evil?!"
Jessica stumbled back, lips trembling, already crafting her defense,
"Caleb! Don't listen! It was Sophie! I saw her!"
His response was a resounding slap.
"My own mother says you did it! Who would lie to me? Her?!"
Jessica cowered, tears instantly falling.
"Maybe... maybe she's lying for Sophie..."
Before she finished, Caleb slapped her again, sending her crashing down.
Jessica stared up, shocked, biting her lip, whimpering,
"Caleb! If my parents saw you treat me like this... their hearts would break!"
Caleb stood frozen, fists clenched. He didn't hit her again.
He sighed heavily, finally seeming to remember me. He reached out.
"Sophie... I..."
"Can you... maybe forgive Jessica?"
A wry smile touched my lips.
Of course. Jessica's parents' sacrifice was Caleb's ultimate weakness.
Even knowing the truth, his first instinct was to beg mercy for her.
I opened my mouth. It took a moment to recognize my own voice.
"Caleb. We're getting divorced."
His eyes instantly reddened. He grabbed my hands, shaking them desperately.
"Sophie! I was wrong! I misunderstood!"
"Please... don't divorce me. I love you."
I wrenched my hands free, stepping back, locking eyes with him.
"Caleb, you don't love me. You love Jessica."
"I will pursue justice for our child. And for the fire."
Jessica slumped against the wall.
I had no interest in watching.
I turned and left.
