The Abandoned Wife Dumped Him First (Victoria and Elias) novel Chapter 28

In a hospital room.

"Bastard! Bitch!" Cerys angrily closed the news alert about The Carolus Tower groundbreaking ceremony on her phone. She muttered a curse under her breath and looked at Victoria in the hospital bed.

Victoria had been unconscious for nearly two days and had only just woken up.

Sensing Cerys's gaze, she turned her head, her expression calm. "Cerys, I'm fine. Really."

Cerys opened her mouth to offer some words of comfort, but they felt hollow and inadequate.

"Victoria, after you're discharged, let's go on a trip. Where do you want to go? Singapore seems popular lately. The scenery is supposed to be amazing. How about we go there? I can check for flights and the weather..."

Cerys was about to pull out her phone, but Victoria's cool hand rested on her wrist, stopping her.

"Victoria?" Cerys blinked, confused.

"Maybe next time," Victoria explained. "I've taken too much time off lately, and I've fallen behind on several projects. Once I'm done with my current ones, we can go together, okay?"

"Your job at the design institute never gives you a break. Finish one project, and another one starts right up. At this rate, we'll go when pigs fly." Despite her grumbling, Cerys knew that architectural design was the one thing Victoria had left to live for. "But it's fine. I've got plenty of time. Whenever you're ready, we'll pack our bags and go!"

"Okay."

"Oh, by the way," Cerys suddenly remembered something. She opened a message on her phone and showed it to Victoria. "A few days ago, my dad mentioned The Euro-American Architectural Design Awards, so I had someone find the application form. Take a look. Interested?"

Victoria took the phone, her eyes on the competition's promotional poster.

"I don't know much about architecture competitions, but I've heard this one is very prestigious. You have a chance for a promotion, right? Maybe winning this award could help. And..."

Cerys paused. "It's been a long time since you've entered a design competition, not since... what happened in college."

Victoria's expression darkened slightly.

The Euro-American Architectural Design Awards was a favorite among up-and-coming architects. It was known for its prestige and large prize money, but also for its compelling themes that demanded both innovation and a solid foundation, allowing designers to test their limits.

Cerys could see Victoria's hesitation and pressed on. "Victoria, I really want to see you shining on stage again, just like you used to."

Victoria smiled faintly. "Anne, I'm out of the hospital now, there's nothing seriously wrong. Telling Grandpa would only make him worry for no reason."

Her phone rang suddenly. It was Sunny.

She gave Anne a reassuring look, gestured that she was stepping out, and answered the call. "Sunny, what's up?"

"Victoria, help me!"

Victoria paused mid-step, but before she could ask, Sunny's voice continued, "I had barbecue last night and I've been running to the bathroom all night. I'm completely wiped out."

"That sounds serious. Did you go to the hospital?"

"Yeah, I'm on an IV right now. But Ms. Donald needs me to help out at the headquarters' project exhibition..." Sunny's voice trailed off into a weak plea. "Victoria, could you cover for me? I'll head over as soon as my drip is finished."

"You just focus on getting better. I'll go."

Victoria agreed without hesitation. Shortly after hanging up, Sunny sent over the materials. She was looking down at her phone, walking towards the elevator, when she bumped into someone.