Kayla's eyes snapped open with a gasp, her heart racing. She felt unexpectedly wet, like she'd just been caught in a rain shower, but she was still in bed. Confused, she heard a throat clear and looked up.
There, standing over her, was her best friend's husband. His eyes were fixed on her, and his look was so intense it made her heart skip a beat. It was as if he was really angry with her, so angry he could barely contain it.
Then she noticed his assistant, standing a bit to the side, holding an empty bowl. It clicked – he was the one who had thrown water on her. But Kayla didn't say a word. She didn't feel like she could.
Deep down, she believed she deserved this. After all, because of something she did, someone very dear to both her best friend and her husband had died. So, Kayla just sat there, wet and silent, accepting their anger because she felt guilty. She knew this was just the beginning of what she had to face.
Richmond, unable to bear the heavy silence any longer, finally broke it. His voice was laced with pain and anger. "She has been buried. Hope you're happy now."
Kayla tried to speak, but her words were trapped in a stutter. "I… I... I'm sorry," she managed to whisper.
"Sorry won't bring her back, Kayla!" Richmond's voice rose sharply, filled with fury. "You killed your best friend, my wife. For what? What did you gain from it? She loved you!" His eyes, now bloodshot, bore into her with an intensity that made her shrink back.
Kayla wanted to say something, anything, to defend herself, but the words wouldn't come. The thought, "I killed Anna," echoed over and over in her head. It was then that Richmond, overwhelmed by his emotions, grabbed her neck. His grip was tight, suffocating her. Tears streamed down her face as she desperately tried to pull his hands away, but it was no use. Her strength was fading against his overwhelming grief and anger.
Just in time, the assistant intervened, pulling Richmond back with firm hands. "Boss, please, control yourself. You might do something you'll regret," he urged, his voice steady but concerned. He could understand Richmond's anger, but he knew this wasn't the place for such actions.
Richmond, his anger simmering, turned to the assistant. "Harry, go handle the discharge procedures. She's coming with us." Harry glanced at Kayla, his eyes filled with pity, before nodding and leaving to take care of the paperwork.
Kayla, still in shock, managed to ask, "Where are you sending me?"
Richmond's response was cold and harsh. "To my house, of course. To make life miserable for you." He spoke through gritted teeth, his anger barely contained.
Kayla remained silent, unable to find words. What could she say? If enduring misery under Richmond's roof could somehow bring him a sense of satisfaction for the loss of his wife, then she was prepared to face it. Her guilt weighed heavily on her, accepting this fate as just another part of her punishment.
In a mere 20 minutes, Harry swiftly returned after sorting out the discharge procedures. Following closely behind him was a concerned doctor, intent on ensuring Kayla's well-being.
After a thorough check, the doctor hesitated before delivering his verdict. "She needs to stay here for some time," he advised, earning a deadly glare from Richmond, who clearly disapproved.
"Don't worry, Doc, I'm okay," Kayla reassured the doctor, trying to ease the tension in the room.
Before departing, the doctor left a parting piece of advice. "Make sure you don't perform strenuous activities," he cautioned, his words lingering in the air.
Richmond, visibly frustrated, exited the room, signaling for both Kayla and Harry to follow. They embarked on their journey, leaving the sterile hospital setting behind as they headed towards Richmond's residence in Gold Province.