Loretta's fingers tightened slightly around the bedsheet. For a moment, she said nothing. "I don't even have the strength to walk properly," she replied softly. "Where would I run to?" Isabella had caused an accident; this man thought she was the one. He would never let her go so easily.
Kevin did not respond immediately, he walked further into the room. The sound of his shoes against the floor was light but it felt loud in Loretta's heart. The closer he came the more she found it difficult to breathe.
He stopped beside her bed. Loretta felt her heart beating uncontrollably from fear.
"I expected more," he said.
Loretta frowned slightly and looked at him.
"From someone who dared to get Strip club , get drunk and throw up on me."
Her cheeks burned faintly at the memory.
"I said I was sorry," she muttered. She cursed herself for choosing that club and almost getting fed to the fish.
She was not sure if she should be happy that she was his fiancée, so he did not take her life, or curse fate for tying her to such a cold man.
"He deserves the curse," Loretta thought, but she suddenly realized she was wrong to think that way. After all, the one who would die was herself.
Kevin ignored that. Instead, he took his seat on the empty chair beside the bed.
"I had someone look into you," he said.
Loretta's heart skipped.
He continued, his voice calm.
"Loretta Gladstone. Twenty-five. Top of your class. Worked three years in your family's company without promotion. Contract staff." He paused slightly. "The unloved daughter."
Silence.
Loretta's chest tightened. She did not expect his statement; calling her an unloved daughter to hurt so much.
Kevin glanced at her, watching her reaction carefully.
"No visits," he added. "No calls. Not even for appearance."
Kevin honestly found the situation interesting. He had thought the Gladstone family offered money because they spoiled her, but from the investigation, he quickly realized how wrong he was. As a person from a prominent family, he understood the need for a good reputation. Perhaps they were just afraid of been dragged into a scandal.
Loretta lowered her gaze."There's nothing surprising about that," she said quietly.
Kevin rubbed his hands. "So you are just a replaceable piece." His tone was flat
Not judging, or Not sympathizing.
Loretta let out a small breath. "Yes," she said. A bitter taste spread in her mouth at those words.
Kevin studied her for a moment, he had expected anger, resistance. Maybe even desperation but not this.
He knew what this felt like. "So agreeable?" he raised his brows.
Loretta gave a faint smile. "Do I have a choice?" She gave him a look that said she could not open her eyes and laugh at herself.
Kevin wanted to say she could have turned herself in and spent a few years in prison. Since he was not dead, even with his influence, he could not make her get more than five years. But seeing the look on her face, he chose to silently watch her.
She continued, her voice soft but steady.
"To them, I owe a debt. This is how I repay it." She paused. "And after this… we're strangers."
Kevin's eyes darkened slightly, he felt that her words sounded strange but he could not understand what was strange about it.
"You think this ends after the marriage?" he asked.
Loretta met his gaze, for a second, fear flickered in her eyes. She remembered her dream.
"It ends one way or another," she said. If she truly died, then it was freedom. If she managed to survive, she made a mental note to stay away from his business.
The room fell silent again.
Kevin saw a small, hopeful light in her eyes. He felt that she was incredibly foolish, but he did not voice that.
"You almost died yesterday," he said.
Loretta's fingers curled slightly. She wanted to remind him that he was the one who had her thrown into a pool, almost killing her, but she stopped herself at the last moment. She still wanted to live a few more days.
"I noticed," she said dryly.
His gaze sharpened. He found her strong will impressive. After all, those who grow up without love often suffer from an inferiority complex.
"The wedding is in four weeks." His tone changed. "You'll be discharged in two days."
Loretta nodded faintly. "Okay."
He got up from his seat, "Don't die before then," he added, turning around to leave.
Loretta almost laughed, "Don't die."
The words replayed in her head. If she had the power to, she would not even want to marry him. How could she win against death? "Is that an order?" she asked.
Kevin, who had taken a few steps toward the door, paused.
"Yes."
"Then can I get a favor in return if I survive until the wedding?" Loretta seized the moment. She had been navigating the business world for three years, so she understood negotiation.
Kevin turned and looked at her. He was amused that she was using her life to get a favor.
Yet he was curious what she wanted; money, shares, or property.
"Speak."
Loretta shivered now that his piercing gaze was on her.
"If I die after the wedding, no matter what the cause is, do not send compensation to my family. Donate it to orphanages in my name instead," she said.
The Gladstone family had used her to shield Isabella all her life. If she was going to die in Isabella's place, then they would not get any benefit from her death.
Kevin was shocked, he did not expect her request to be this. But thinking about her situation in the Gladstone family, he understood her decision.
"Okay," Kevin agreed and walked out. The door closed behind him.
Loretta stared at the door for a long moment. Her heart was still beating fast.
But not from fear.
Somehow, ensuring that the Gladstone family could not benefit from her death made her relax. She slowly lay back on the bed. Her mind replayed the entire conversation.
"I am fine," she patted her chest.
Outside the room, Kevin walked down the hallway.
His assistant quickly followed behind.
"Sir," he called carefully.
Kevin did not stop, "What is it?" he asked coldly.
"The doctor…" the assistant hesitated. "Should we deal with him?"
Kevin's steps slowed slightly, "No need," he said.
"Watch him." He added after a pause.
"Yes, sir." The assistant nodded. Then, after a moment, he spoke again."Sir… about Miss Loretta—"
Kevin turned to look at his assistant, his gaze was sharp. He did not say anything but his assistant panicked and adjusted his glasses.
"…She doesn't seem like the type who would cause trouble."
Kevin's expression did not change.
"I know," he said, that was exactly the problem.
"Keep investigating. I doubt she was the one who caused the accident," he added.
At first, he thought the family did not love her, so naturally, they did not care about her life or death. But listening to Loretta, her deep hatred for her family did not come only from years of mistreatment.
He felt it was related to the marriage, and the only possible reason he could think of was that she was not the one involved in the accident.