Chapter 53 Chapter 53
Chapter 53
Iris POV.
“ Doctor .. Can I go home?”
My voice came out softer than I intended, almost fragile, as I watched him adjust the ic drip connected to my hand.
The faint beeping of the monitor beside me felt suffocating,like it was counting down seconds , I didn't have the patience to waste.
The doctor barely glanced at me at first.
“We’ll see, “ he muttered, checking the flow .
"You’ve just been stabilized. It's better if you stay a bit longer for observation."
"I'm fine.“ I insisted quickly, pushing myself up slightly despite the dull ache in my body.
“I feel okay now . I just .. I need to leave." That made him pause.
His brows furrowed as he turned to look at me properly this time. “You were in an accident, Mrs Smith , you're lucky it wasn't worse ,you shouldn't be rushing."
"I understand ,”I cut in , swallowing hard “but I really need to go home.”
He signed , clearly not convinced. "Even if I consider it your husband will need to come in and sign your discharge papers, that's hospital policy."
Of course.
Darius .
I signed as frustration burned in my chest but I quickly pushed it down .Waiting for him wasn't an option not now ,not when everything felt like it was slipping though my fingers.
"I don't know if you can help me, doctor?" I said quietly, lowering my gaze to my hands resting on my lap .
I let my shoulders slump slightly, forcing a tremor into my voice.
"It's my husband's birthday today,” I continued. "And I already ordered a cake before I had the accident."
The doctor's expression shifted,his sternness softening just a little .
"He has been so good to me, I added my voice breaking just enough to sound believable. And I’ll be a terrible wife if I didn't do something nice for him.”
Silence stretched between us for a moment, I thought he would refuse again that he would see through the lie ,call it out , and keep me trapped in this bed while everything outside unraveled.
But then his shoulders dropped.
“ You can sign the discharge papers yourself,” he said finally.
Relief flooded though me so quickly it almost made me dizzy .
“Thank you,” I whispered .
He gave me one last look, half warning, half pity before turning away . “Make sure you rest when you get home.and come back immediately if anything feels off.”
I nodded, though we both knew I had no intention of resting.
The moment I stepped out of the hospital,the air hit me differently. I wasn't going home to rest .
Vickie is dead, even the thought of it sent sharp pain through my chest.
It didn't make sense,it still doesn't make sense , Vickie falling ?
No, I shook my head as I stepped to the roadside and raised my hand, signalling for a taxi.
That wasn't possible,we had lived in the same house for years , I had seen her run down stairs half asleep, walking around in heels on slippery floors, and I hadn't seen her fall , at least I was the clumsy one and not her .
So how did she suddenly fall to her death? The taxi pulled over ,and I got in without hesitation.
“Address?” The driver asked and I gave him the house address,my mind already spiraling again.
And then there was my accident, my fingers curled into fist on my lap, the break didn't fail on its own .
They were tempered with, if they hadn't been,I would have made it on time to see Vickie, I would have been there .
Maybe she wouldn't have died alone,my throat tightened painfully ,the thought of her having chances of surviving made me blame myself the most for not being there .
This thought sent chills down my spine,this wasn't an accident none of it was , which means someone wanted this .
The taxi stopped in front of the house sooner than I expected.
“I’ll be right back with your money.” I told the driver, already pushing the door open . He nodded, barely interested.
I hurried inside , ignoring the slight dizziness that came with moving too fast , the house felt quiet, almost too quiet.
Something about it made me panic but I didn't stop , I went straight to my room ,grabbing some cash from the drawer before heading back towards the door.
That's when I saw Darius.
He stood just inside the living room, like he had just arrived.
His eyes locked onto mine immediately, “why are you home?” He asked.
His voice was strange,mixed with anger but also gentle. I got discharged,“ I replied simply.
His brows drew together instantly, “you what?"
“I discharged myself.” The tension in his jaw tightened,his expression darkening. “I told you I was coming to get you, Iris."
“I didn't want to wait.” The words came sharper than I intended but I didn't take them back . I didn't have the patience for this, not now when Vickie was dead and everything felt wrong.
His gaze lingered on me for a moment longer , clearly displeased, but I barely noticed. Something else caught my attention.
"What's that on your head?" I asked suddenly.
My eyes dropped to his hand , there was blood on his hand, dried but still visible and there were stains on his shirt too .
My heartbeat stuttered, what happened to you ? I pressed stepping closer without thinking .
For a brief second just a second something flickered in his eyes .
Something I couldn't quite place
Guilt? Pain or something worse?
He opened his mouth to speak but before a single word could leave his lips the front door swung open .
Both of us turned instinctively and then she walked in .
Beautiful smiling like she belonged here, like she has every right to be .
Her eyes landed on Darius immediately,
lighting up with something warm, something intimate.
Oh, Darius baby , she says her voice dripping with familiarity as she stepped further inside .
My breath caught in my throat.
"I have missed you so much."