His Wicked Obsession (Archer and Virginia) novel Chapter 32

“It's fine now.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah.”

His tone was casual, as if he were discussing something entirely trivial.

Yet as he answered, his gaze unconsciously drifted down to his right arm, right to the bandage Virginia had wrapped with her own hands.

For some inexplicable reason, he hadn't gone in for a standard dressing change since that day...

Virginia closed her notebook and pinched the bridge of her nose, waiting a few seconds before speaking again. “You're not invincible, Mr. Vanderbilt. You should really go to the hospital and get an X-ray. Don't put it off.”

She hated owing people favors. Especially Archer.

“...There's no need.” Her sudden distant attitude made Archer frown involuntarily.

His cold tone grated on Virginia's nerves. She didn't push the issue, simply saying, “Suit yourself. Goodbye, then,” before she actively ended the call.

Afterward, she placed her phone face-down on the desk and stood up to pour herself a glass of water.

She drank half of it, standing by the window to steady her breathing for a moment before sitting back down to finish organizing the reports.

...

Friday.

Chloe arrived at the clinic right on time.

Unlike her nervous demeanor during the first session, today she wore a beige knit dress and flawless makeup. A sweet smile graced her lips, making her look gentle and radiant.

“Doctor White. Virginia.” She greeted them proactively, her voice soft and melodious.

Doctor White nodded and gestured for her to sit.

Virginia took her blood pressure and asked about her sleep and diet over the past few days, noting down each detail.

Chloe was highly cooperative. Her answers were clear and concise, and occasionally she even offered extra information.

“Virginia.” Chloe tilted her head up. Her eyes darted toward the slightly ajar door before her voice cracked with grievance. “I've always wanted to ask you a question.”

Virginia furrowed her brow, wondering what this new act was about. “Go ahead.”

Tears welled up in Chloe's eyes. She paused for a moment before choking out, “Even though we aren't biological sisters, I haven't done anything wrong to you. Why are you so vicious? Why did you hurt me like this!?”

The clinic room descended into absolute silence.

Virginia's hands, resting at her sides, unconsciously gripped the fabric of her skirt. Her knuckles turned stark white as they trembled uncontrollably.

If Chloe was innocent, then what was she?

The events of the past weren't something she could have just politely declined and walked away from—not returning to the Caldwell family, and certainly not her one-year marriage to Archer.

Chloe had suffered an accident and developed PTSD, but hadn't Virginia also lived through her own suffocating darkness?

“Do you really hate me that much, Virginia?” Chloe sniffled, her face streaked with tears. “You won't even let me get properly treated? Do you have any idea how excruciating it is for me to sit in this chair every time and look at you!?”