Chapter 4

The murmurs from the surrounding patients and visitors shifted instantly.

"Young women these days are so spoiled. The husband’s family paid a fortune for the wedding, and she won’t even wash a dish?"

"Tell me about it. Faking an illness and taking up a hospital bed just to be lazy? Disgraceful."

"Look at how she’s dressed—definitely not the domestic type. Probably out cheating on him!"

The judgment rained down on me from every corner, fueling my fury.

My parents immediately started shouting back to defend me.

A smug smirk flickered across Lucas’s face. He raised his voice for the crowd. "Alright, fine. Come home, and I’ll let you rest, okay?"

"You didn’t even send a text to let us know you were safe."

"Chloe and Mom have been having panic attacks over you."

Mia shook her head in disapproval. "Come on, Elena. You’re a grown woman, why are you acting like a brat?"

"It’s just chores. How hard can it be?"

"You’re a stay-at-home wife! All you do is hold your hand out for his money. A little laundry and dusting is the easiest gig in the world."

I could see the jealousy dripping from her eyes.

What she didn’t know was that everything on my body had been paid for with my own hard-earned money.

Right after the wedding, Lucas had transferred all our marital assets to Chloe—including my dowry and the entire wedding fund my parents had gifted us.

I only discovered that financial betrayal while packing my suitcase that night.

"Enough drama. Let’s go," Lucas hissed, grabbing for me again. When I yanked my arm away, he leaned in close and whispered a vile threat:

"Elena, you better play smart. We’re legally married. Even if I drag you out of here by your hair, the cops will just call it a domestic dispute. At most, they’ll tell us to talk it out."

"Come home with me right now, and I’ll pretend this never happened."

"In your sick dreams!" I spat through gritted teeth.

"Lucas!"

Chloe appeared out of nowhere. She shot me a territorial look, grabbed Lucas’s hand, and wrapped his arm snugly around her waist.

"Elena, stop being so dramatic. Just come home with us."

Before I could tear into them, the commotion drew the attention of the floor nurse.

Taking in the scene, the nurse snapped at Lucas, "Excuse me? Your wife was admitted with a fever of 104 degrees! She was literally comatose and only regained consciousness today! Are you seriously claiming she faked that?!"

The room fell dead silent. The gossipers froze, their faces burning with embarrassment.

Seizing the moment, I said loudly, "Ever since we signed the marriage papers, you’ve been glued to Chloe 24/7. If I hadn’t dragged myself to the hospital, I would’ve died on your floor, and you wouldn't have cared!"

"Shut your damn mouth!" Lucas barked.

"Did I say anything that isn't true? Isn't she totally helpless? Doesn't she need you to hand-wash her lingerie every single day because she just can't survive without your special care?"

The entire ward gasped.

Disgusted, horrified looks locked onto Lucas and Chloe.

I looked at Lucas’s pale face, flashed a radiant smile, and made an announcement:

"Tell you what, Lucas! I’m all about fairness! I’m calling my cousin Liam right now. I’ve needed Liam to tuck me into bed since I was a kid too! I can’t sleep a wink without him holding me! If you’re cool with my cousin lying in our marriage bed and cuddling me to sleep every night, then I won’t say a single word about you and Chloe!"