Misunderstanding

Chapter 14(Nathalie POV)

I woke up to find Alice looming over me, raising a flower pot over my head. She had a wicked grin plastered over her face.  Without a second thought, I rolled away, plunging onto the cold vinyl floor. The flower pot shattered to pieces on the hospital bed, where I was just laying a few seconds ago. A chill ran down my spine as my face drained of color. Was Alice trying to kill me? Her devilish smile transformed into a scowl as she realized I had avoided her attack.

My surroundings came into focus as I glanced around the two-person hospital room, its pale blue curtains drawn shut, and the constant beeping of machines filling the air. Both Alice and I were clothed in hospital gowns, our heads wrapped in bandages. The disbelief washed over me – Alice had not only pushed me down the stairs but also attempted to take my life with the flower pot!

You're crazy.. I communicated.

Alice yanked me up by the hair. "I will do anything to protect Chase from your evil deeds!"

I'm not going to hurt him! I'm different from Angelica!

"What makes you think I'll believe you, you filthy liar?!" She tightened her grip on my hair. "Do you think I'm stupid?!"

Explaining my plan to her is just a waste of time! Frustration welled up within me, and I managed to shove her away, causing her hands to slip from my hair. As she staggered backward, the sound of the doorknob turning froze us both in place.

Alice then, immediately slapped herself two times and collapsed to the floor beneath my feet, bursting into tears. By the sudden change of actions,I stood there, completely stunned by the sudden turn of events.

 "Alice!" Chase, entering the room, rushed to her side. This was my opportunity to confess everything about Lord and expose Alice's attempt to murder me! 

I stepped forward, reaching out to take Chase's arm, but he mercilessly swept me off my feet, causing me to crash onto the floor with a raise of his arm.

One of the glass shards on the floor stabbed into my leg. A whimper escaped my lips.

Chase dropped on one knee to be on the same height as Alice to console her. "Alice, did she hit you?"

"Hick... hick... Miss Nathalie is just upset that when she pushed me down the staircase, she fell down too... She just wants to vent her anger on me... please don't blame her!" Tears were pouring down her swollen cheeks, making her act believable.

Slowly, Chase's sharp and furious gaze fixed on me.

What?! I didn't do anything!

"I should have expected this from you – evil, cruel, heartless... You killed my Mum, and now you want to kill Alice too?!" 

I shook my head frantically, pleading with my eyes for him to believe me, but his grip tightened around my throat as he lifted me off the ground. 

Ignoring the pain in my leg, I kicked and clawed at Chase, fear washing over me.

"I cannot have you continue to stay at my mission. You are a threat," he declared coldly. My vision blurred with tears as I watched Alice smile triumphantly behind him.

I'll have to sell you to the countryside, to some older men. I'm sure you'll make a fine puppet."

P-puppet? For older men?! In the countryside?!

Suddenly, Chase released his grip, causing me to crash to the floor, shards of glass piercing my palms, yet I hardly felt the pain. He scooped Alice up in his arms, preparing to leave. 

Wait! No! There has to be security cameras in this hospital room! Chase will know the truth immediately after looking at the cameras!

If only Chase looked at the footage, he would know the truth. Desperately, I grabbed his leg, pointing towards the camera in the corner. "Cameras?" he scoffed, a mocking tone in his voice. "Do you want me to see how you slapped Alice and pushed her to the ground?"

I tugged at his pant leg. Please!

Panic flickered in Alice's eyes. "No.. Chase... I mean, you can check the footage if you wish but..." Alice placed a hand on her forehead. "I feel really nauseous..."  Then her eyelids fluttered shut.

"Alice!" 

No, wait! I held onto his leg tighter. Chase turned his head to glare at me and kicked me on the shoulder. I watched as he disappeared down the corridor with Alice in his arms, tears brimming in my eyes.

If there was any trust in Chase for me, it's all gone now. There was no way he would believe the truth, and he would undoubtedly refuse to help Anthony and me. He would rather trust his lowly maid than me. I couldn't return to my "home" if I didn't find a way to stop Chase, but I knew I was no match for him. Blood dripped from my leg as I wiped away the tears, my vision blurred. I didn't want to be sold to a deserted countryside with older men!