Substantiate Innocence (Valiant Dame Series 1) ✓

Chapter 3

When I opened my eyes, I was greeted by a white ceiling. The cold and sickly smell of the surroundings made me believe I was at a hospital now.

When I attempted to shift my body, I discovered my left hand was handcuffed. I forced myself to take a deep breath, hoping to at least quell the dryness in my throat.

While I was trying to sit up again, I heard footsteps approaching. I quickly lay back in bed and shut my eyes.

I got the impression that more than one person was inside when the door opened.

“Officer Shang, you had one job to do, and yet you let Carlo do something stupid,” said a man I couldn’t identify.

“I’m sorry, sir,” said the woman, who I believed was the policewoman who brought me here.

“Bueno, gawin mo ang lahat upang mapagtakpan ang nangyaring ito. Hindi maaaring masira ang mga plano natin,” the man added.

I made every effort to appear as though I was asleep when I sensed their footsteps beside my bed.

“What a poor woman,” he said, and I could feel him staring at me.

“Sir, may I ask why you have the need to prohibit her from receiving guests? Hindi ba’t maling hakbang iyon para sa atin? Baka maghinala sila?”

The man took a deep breath.

“Mel Carter Hart. Do you know him?” he asked.

I was shocked when I heard him say Carter’s name, but I managed to hold back my composure.

“The swimmer who had a serious issue two years ago?”

“Exactly.”

“What about him?”

“She is friends with Mel Carter, and you know how tricky that guy is,” he responded, leaving me confused.

What the hell are they talking about? What does this have to do with Carter? Are they the ones responsible for what had happened to me?

“I understand, sir.”

“Good.”

Both of them then exited the room. I opened my eyes and began to worry about what I had heard. Why am I not allowed to receive visitors because of Carter? What did Carter do to be called a tricky man, as they seem to be saying?

After pulling myself together once again, I was able to sit up straight, ignoring the anguish shooting through my wounds. I lowered my feet to the floor, reaching for the bottle of water positioned on the tiny desk. I couldn’t help but spill some water on my hospital gown while fumbling to open the lid with my handcuffed hand.

I glanced at the chain after finishing the water. When I noticed the wounds and bruises that Carlo had given me, I tightly closed my eyes. I could still recall how much I had pleaded with him to stop.

My cheeks were suddenly wet with tears, and all I could do was wipe them away.

I’m done. I’m done being played by destiny, which does nothing but torture me. I know I’m not the perfect woman, but I still have emotions. As a matter of fact, I detest having sex. My body should be given exclusively to the man I love. But it was too late now. And the idea that I should accept a man touching me on a regular basis sickened me.

When the nurse arrived, I placed the empty bottle on the desk.

“How are you feeling, ma’am?” she asked. I looked away when her eyes landed on my swollen bruises.

“I’m fine,” I answered.

“You should eat,” she said, placing a tray on the table. She started leaving, but before she could step out, I called to her. “Nurse!”