Chapter 3

Chapter 3

"Kendra!" Wesley cried out in panic, rushing over to lift her onto the sofa.

Once he made sure she had no major injuries, he stormed over to me and slapped me hard across the face.

If this were in the past, I would have desperately explained that it was all Kendra's act.

This time, I chose to play along and let her have her drama.

"Laurel, when will you stop acting crazy?" Wesley barked. "Even a rabid dog knows who not to bite!"

I touched my stinging, numb cheek and let out a self-deprecating chuckle.

Whenever he scolded me, Wesley always loved calling me a dog.

In his eyes, I was just a stray the Gallagher family had tied down with marriage―a guard dog meant to protect him and Kendra.

Even after slapping me, Wesley's rage didn't fade.

He glared at me with icy eyes and commanded, "Apologize to Kendra right now!"

Behind his back, Kendra raised her brows and smirked at me with pure triumph.

If an apology was what they wanted, I would choose how to deliver it.

I grabbed a ceramic vase from the table, smashed it onto the floor, and dragged a sharp shard across my own wrist.

Blood spurted out immediately.

Ignoring the sharp pain, I stared coldly at Kendra.

"Are you satisfied with this apology? If not, I can keep going..."

"Stop it, Laurel!" Wesley screamed, knocking the shard out of my grip with genuine panic flashing in his eyes.

"Is this how I told you to apologize?"

His voice began to tremble.

"You're bleeding too much. We have to get you to the hospital right now."

Right then, Kendra let out a sudden, high-pitched shriek.

"Blood! I can't stand the sight of blood!"

She rolled her eyes back and slumped over in a dramatic faint.

What pathetic acting.

Wesley instantly dropped my arm and hurried to call an ambulance for Kendra.

I was the one bleeding out, yet Wesley abandoned me without a second thought.

My blood dripped onto the floor, pooling beneath my wheelchair.

Luckily, my years in rescue training had taught me first aid.

Before cutting myself, I had deliberately avoided the main artery, so my life was never in danger.

Calmly, I pulled out a medical kit, bandaged my wrist, and called an Uber to the clinic.

Feeling the gentle spring breeze against my face, my mood actually lifted.

In five days, my visa would be approved.

When that day came, I would leave this nightmare behind and start my new life.