Chapter 4 - The Coma and The Lie
The steady, rhythmic beeping of a medical ventilator echoed through the sterile room.
When Clare finally opened her eyes, the blinding fluorescent lights of a VIP hospital suite pierced her vision. Her head throbbed with agonizing, unbearable pain. She tried to move her arm, but it was heavily bandaged and connected to multiple IV lines.
Sitting in a comfortable leather chair right beside her bed was Adrien.
He was holding her hand, gently stroking her knuckles. Standing near the doorway was a team of top-tier neurologists.
"She's awake," Adrien choked out, his voice thick with incredibly convincing, manufactured tears. He looked at the doctors with the desperate relief of a devoted, grieving husband. "Thank God."
The lead doctor stepped forward, checking Clare's vitals. "Mrs. Valente, you suffered a severe traumatic brain injury. You've been in a medically induced coma for three weeks. Your husband told us you had a terrible fall down the grand staircase at your estate."
Clare’s heart monitor instantly spiked. She tried to speak, tried to scream the truth, but her throat was completely raw from the breathing tube that had just been removed. She could only manage a weak, breathless rasp.
Adrien leaned in close, pretending to comfort her. He pressed his lips against her ear, entirely blocking the doctors' view of his face.
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"If you ever try to change the story," Adrien whispered, his voice a lethal, freezing threat, "I will make sure your sister has a fatal car accident. Nod if you understand."
👉 Clare weakly closed her eyes in submission, but behind her silent tears, a brilliant plan for vengeance was already forming.
