Yunaâs knees buckled, and she found herself collapsing to the floor!
Why on earth was Freddie here? How could he be?
She had been so careful with her secrecy! She hadnât told a soul!
But today, Teresa showed up, and then Freddie came hot on her heels!
Damn it! It had to have been that snake, Hayes, who spilled the beans! Or maybe it was Teresa!
Panic clutched Yunaâs throat like a vice. This was it. She was done for.
Hayes lay in the hospital bed, an inflated bag of blood hanging overhead, and with Teresaâs loose lips on top of it, Yuna felt like her own demise was imminent in that very room.
âFreddie⦠Freddie, listen to me! Itâs not⦠itâs not what you think!â
Yunaâs mind raced for an explanation, but she was drawing a complete blank.
Frederickâs bloodthirsty gaze cut through her like a blade. The next moment, his long legs stepped right over her crumpled form, moving toward Hayesâ bedside.
The kid looked as pale as a ghost, barely hanging on to life.
When Chuck, the late arrival, caught the scene, he was so shocked he couldnât find his voice.
He gasped for air, âMrâ¦. Mr. Winston, I-Iâll go call the doctor right away!â With that, Chuck bolted out the door!
But Frederick couldnât hold back his fury any longer. A chilling aura of wrath enveloped everyone present, âYuna! Youâve got some nerve! Is Hayesâ life so cheap to you?â
âFreddie⦠Iâ¦â Yunaâs teeth chattered in terror, âIt⦠it was the hospitalâs suggestion! They said taking blood from Hayes wouldnât be a problem! But I still didnât agree, because I was afraid Hayes couldnât handle it! Then Hayes overheard that Manley got sick, and he insisted on donating his blood, I couldnât stop him! Freddie, I didnât want to take Hayesâ blood!â
âLying even at the brink of death?â
Frederick glared at her fiercely, his disgust and hatred for Yuna reaching uncontrollable levels.
In that moment, he wished he could kick her squarely in the face.
But it was when he saw Teresa, he held back. The scene was too gruesome; he didnât want Teresa to witness that.
âFreddie, Iâm not lying! I swear Iâm not lying! Wait until Hayes wakes up, ask him! It was his choice!âThe excuse was flimsy, and she wasnât sure what -Hayes would tell Frederick.
She was just buying time! Now, she had to figure out how to get out of this mess!
She racked her brain for words, but Margueriteâs anguished voice suddenly cut through, âIf Hayes knew the blood transfusion could cost his life, would he still agree? What exactly did you hide?â
The sound of Margueriteâs voice sent Yuna into a fury! No one hated Marguerite more than she did herself! Hatred consumed her mind, and she bellowed at Marguerite, âShut up! Marguerite, Iâve tolerated you for far too long! Why are you always meddling? This is a family matter, why donât you take your bastard and beat it?â
âYouâre the one who should beat it!â Frederickâs authoritative voice thundered, âBastard? You seem too comfortable with that term. Youâve used it on Hayes before, havenât you?â
He advanced towards her slowly, and Yuna, trembling, scooted backward on the floor, shaking her head in terror, âNo! I havenât! Freddie, Iâve never called Hayes that! I swear! Please believe me, wonât you?â
âHayesâ Daddy, sheâs lying! I just heard her call Hayes a bastard too! She even threatened me! Said if I told anyone about this, sheâd take my life!â Teresa shouted.