CHAPTER 63 - Because I love you

LI climbed into the hospital bed, my body heavy with exhaustion and my heart weighted by anguish. Turning my back to Jayden, I faced the cold, white wall. The tears came freely, hot streams carving paths down my cheeks. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t stop them. They carried my grief, my frustration, and the deep sense of betrayal that I had buried for so long.

Behind me, I could hear Jayden sniffing quietly. Each sound pierced me like a dagger, tearing through the fragile barrier of anger I had constructed around myself. Part of me wanted to scream at him to stop, to confront him again, to demand answers or apologies that wouldn’t change a thing. But another part of me, the tired, hollow part, couldn’t summon the strength and there was another part of me that wanted to believe him, or that believed him but I am too scared and tired to. I lay there, letting the tears flow silently, carrying me deeper into the chasm of my despair.

How had it come to this? How had I ended up here, trapped in a marriage built on lies and convenience, tethered to a man who could never truly love me? I thought of the Daphne I used to be, the one who had dreams of becoming a writer, the one who believed in love and loyalty, the one who had faith in herself. That Daphne felt like a distant memory, a ghost haunting the empty shell of who I had become. I missed my mum so much.

Jayden had ruined me. His family, his cold indifference, his secrets, everything had chipped away at the pieces of me until there was almost nothing left. I had suffered so much: the humiliation of our contract ( I wouldn't just blame this on him as my dad had a big role to play in this sham of a marriage), the humiliation from his mom, being used as a mere tool into getting his grandfather’s inheritance, the trauma of nearly losing Jade, his toxic ex lurking around trying to harm me and my baby, and now the fear that tugged at my heart of being separated from my daughter. It was too much for anyone to bear. And yet, here I was, still standing, still breathing, still fighting—even if it felt like I was fighting alone.

Eventually, the exhaustion overtook me. My tears dried, leaving salty streaks on my face, and my body sank into the uneasy embrace of sleep. My dreams were restless, filled with fragmented images of Jade, of Julie’s cruel smirk, of Jayden’s taking my daughter away from me and kicking me out. I woke up several times during the night, each time feeling more drained than before, covered in sweat.

The morning light streamed through the hospital room’s blinds, warming the sterile white walls. I sat up slowly, my body sore and my heart heavy. A tray of breakfast sat neatly on the bedside table—toast, eggs, and coffee, but Jayden was nowhere to be seen. A note rested on the tray with his familiar handwriting: I just want to apologize again and beg you to give me a chance to prove my genuine love to you. Eat well. -Jay

I stared at the note for a long moment before setting it aside.

*Sighs* I'm just tired, I wish Grace were here.

The door creaked open, pulling me from my thoughts. Collins stepped in, his expression soft but concerned. He held a small bag in one hand, likely filled with more necessities for Jade or me.

Shouldn't he be with Jayden? Or did Jayden ask him to come solicit on his behalf.

“Good morning, ma'am Daphne,” he said, his voice gentle.

“Good morning, Collins,” I replied, trying to muster a smile. “What brings you here?”

He placed the bag on the chair beside the bed and sat down. “Mr. Horton had to leave early. His grandfather called him to the office for an urgent meeting.”

I nodded, unsurprised. “I figured as much.”

Collins hesitated, as though weighing his next words carefully. “I just wanted to check on you. See how you’re holding up.”

Oh well that's kinda weird but it's lovely to have another company except the doctor, the two nurses, and of course Jayden.

I gave a small shrug. “I’m... managing, I suppose.”

“I mean it, Daph..,” he paused. “I meant ma'am Daphne." He said, leaning forward slightly.

" No it's fine, you can call me Daphne.” I said, an awkward smile tugging at my lips.

“If you need anything…anything at all…you can count on me. I may not be as rich as Mr. Horton but…” his voice trailed as he scratched the back of his ear.

I blinked at him, startled by the f in his tone. Collins had always been kind to me, but there was something different about him today. Something more personal.

“Thank you,” I said softly. “That means a lot.”

He nodded but didn’t move. His hands were clasped tightly together, his knuckles white. It was clear he had more to say, and I waited, unsure of what to expect.

“I’ve been thinking,” he began, his voice quiet but steady. “About everything you’ve been through. Everything you’ve had to endure. And I can’t shake the feeling that you didn’t deserve any of it.”

My breath caught in my throat. Of all the things he could have said, I hadn’t expected that. “Collins...”

“Let me finish,” he interrupted gently. “You’ve been through hell, Daphne. I’ve seen it firsthand. The way Mr. Horton has treated you, the way his family has treated you—it’s not right. You deserve better. You deserve someone who sees your worth, who values you for who you are, not for what you can offer.”

I stared at him, my heart pounding in my chest. His words echoed the thoughts I had tried to bury deep within myself, the doubts and fears I was too afraid to voice. I didn’t know what to say, so I stayed silent, letting him continue.

“You’re strong, Daphne,” he said, his gaze unwavering. “Stronger than anyone gives you credit for. And you deserve someone who appreciates that. Someone who loves you for it.”

My chest tightened, a mix of emotions swirling within me—gratitude, confusion, and something else I couldn’t quite place. “Why are you telling me this?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Collins hesitated, his hands gripping the arms of the chair. “Because I need you to understand something. Your contract with Mr. Horton is ending soon, isn’t it?”

I nodded, dread pooling in my stomach at the reminder. The end of the contract meant the end of my marriage, the possibility of losing my daughter, and the return to a life I wasn’t sure I could face.

“When that time comes,” Collins continued, his voice heavy with emotion, “ The Horton family will have the power to keep Jade from you. He’ll make it difficult, maybe even impossible…for you to leave with her. And I can’t stand by and watch that happen.”

I swallowed hard, tears stinging my eyes. “Collins, I don’t know what to do,” I admitted, my voice breaking. “I can’t lose her. She’s my everything.”

“You don’t have to lose her,” he said, leaning closer. “There’s another way.”

“What way?” I asked, my voice trembling.

He reached out and took my hand in his, his touch warm and steady. “You don’t have to face this alone, Daphne. I’ll help you. I’ll stand by you, no matter what. Because...”

He hesitated, his eyes searching mine. Then, with a deep breath, he said the words that I least expected.

“Because I love you.”