Chapter 275

Chapter 275
Anna's POV
The sterile hospital room smelled of disinfectant and despair. I sat in the corner, watching Logan's unconscious form on the bed, my mind churning with questions. The police had just left after their preliminary investigation—self-inflicted accident. Three cracked ribs and a mild concussion. The diagnosis felt like a puzzle piece that didn't quite fit.
Why hasn't he told his family about the children? The question gnawed at me like acid. This was Logan's most powerful card—the revelation that Benedict and Sophia carried Porter blood. Leonard and Doris would never allow me to marry Marcus if they knew. Yet he'd kept silent.
This isn't like him. Logan was calculating, patient. Everything he did served a purpose. Deliberately injuring himself on the eve of my engagement wasn't random—it was chess, and I couldn't see the board.
My fingers unconsciously knotted together as unease crept up my spine. First, hurt yourself by eight hundred... then wound the enemy by a thousand. The old saying echoed in my mind. But what was the thousand? What was his endgame?
Oscar's gentle tap on my shoulder broke my spiral of thoughts.
"Haven't eaten yet, have you? I'll grab something. Any preferences?" His concern was genuine, a lifeline in this storm.
I stood, forcing composure into my voice. "No need. I have matters at home. I should go."
I approached Leonard and Doris, maintaining the polite distance expected between families. "Uncle Leonard, Doris, I have family matters requiring my attention. I'll—"
"Logan hasn't woken up, and you're leaving?"
Doris's voice cut through my words like shattered glass. Her eyes—usually warm with maternal affection—were ice. I'd never seen this expression on her face. Not once in all the years she'd loved me like a daughter.
She bought me gifts whenever she shopped for her sons. Told my mother she wished I'd marry into the Porter family. Even when I chose Jack over her boys, she never blamed me.
Now, disappointment radiated from her like heat from a forge.
I drew a steady breath. "Doris, I have responsibilities waiting. I must go. I'll leave him in your capable hands."
Leonard pressed a calming hand on his wife's shoulder, offering me an understanding smile. "Go ahead, Anna. Tomorrow's engagement ceremony must have countless details needing your attention."
"Thank you, Uncle Leonard." Gratitude colored my voice.
Then Doris exploded.
She shoved Leonard's hand away, pointing at Logan's still form with trembling fingers. Her eyes blazed red. "Logan lies here unconscious, and you can't wait to run off to another man? Anna Shaw, do you have a conscience?"
The words struck like thunder. I stood frozen, searching for a response that wouldn't come.
Oscar immediately intervened, grasping my arm. "Mom, what are you saying?" He pulled me toward the door. "Go. She's not thinking clearly. Don't take it to heart."
Leonard tried to soothe his wife. "What are you telling the child? Enough. Logan will be fine."
"Child?" Doris's tears broke free, her voice cracking. "We treat her like a child, but does she treat us like family? Does she see Logan as human? All his life, Logan has silently protected her. And her? She falls for one man after another, everyone but our Logan."
Each word was a blade, precisely aimed.
"What's wrong with Logan? Tell me, Anna Shaw. What's so terrible about him that you reject him? Why did you drive him to this? How have we Porters wronged you? Will you only be satisfied when he's dead?"
I simply don't love Logan. Can feelings be forced? I owe him nothing except perhaps an apology for disappointing his parents' hopes.
"Mom!" Oscar's urgency spiked. "Stop this."
He practically shoved me toward the exit. "Leave now. I'll handle this. It's fine."
Doris collapsed into Leonard's arms, her sobs echoing in the sterile room. My chest constricted, eyes burning, but I knew explanations would be futile now.
"Let's go." Oscar guided me into the corridor, his expression awkward. "She's upset seeing Logan hurt himself. I'll talk to them later."
I nodded mutely. "Tell me when he wakes."
My face must have betrayed my distress because Oscar suddenly ruffled my hair—a gesture so unexpectedly brotherly it nearly broke my composure. "Tomorrow's your engagement. Don't look so gloomy. Go home. I'll try to make it tomorrow."
I managed another nod, tears threatening to spill. Were we siblings in a past life? How else could he comfort me like this, now of all times?
Outside the hospital, I instinctively checked my phone. Catherine had sent multiple messages—unusual for her. She typically called for urgent matters. This many texts signaled trouble.
When I opened them, blood drained from my face.
Rachel had already opened the car door, but seeing my expression, concern sharpened her features. "Ms. Shaw, what's wrong?"
Rage rendered me speechless. I wordlessly handed her the phone.
Rachel nearly jumped. "Oh my God, what is this? Who made this video? This... this..."
A short video. The woman's face—my face—completely visible. Anyone who knew me would recognize it instantly. The man showed only a partial profile, but those familiar with Logan would know.
So this is the 'wound by a thousand.' Everything clicked into place with sickening clarity. Logan hadn't told his family about the children because this was his true plan. Not custody—destruction. He wanted to obliterate my engagement to Marcus.
Rachel's shock mirrored mine. She pointed toward the hospital. "That's Mr. Porter? What's happening?"
I exhaled slowly, sliding into the car. Anger and fear writhed together in my chest. Everything calculated. From the crash to the video's release...
Rachel scrambled in beside me, reading Catherine's other messages. Her voice trembled. "Ms. Shaw, Mr. Murphy went to Murphy Estate. The whole Murphy family has seen this video. Should we go there?"
I massaged my temples against rising dizziness. "Let me think."
Less than a minute later, decision crystallized. "No Murphy Estate. Give me the phone."