Chapter 18: A Place Called A Hospital

She lay against his wide, sturdy chest, the kind that made people feel safe.

Her lily-white, gem encrusted dress; her exquisite tiara; her dazzling tecnicolor veil. All had been cast beside the sofa.

He gently stroked her hair, which had already begun to unravel. Three years of suffering, poured out in a day. Despite her illness, he shut his eyes in relief.

He didnt see her brows furrow, or her bite her lip, but the shift in muscle was felt beneath his fingertips. What is it, Jinyu. Why knit your brow?

Do you know who I am? Whos here to cure you? Lan Jues deep voice asked. It doesnt matter who it was, theyll pay for what they did to you.

Do you really know me? Zhou Qianlin quavering voice asked.

Huh? Lan Jue turned her over in his arms, looking in to her eyes.

Zhou Qianlin lifted her head to regard him, looking at him in earnest. It felt as though his face had been branded in to her mind.

Of course I know who you are. Youre my wife. My Hera. My Jinyu. Zhou Jinyu.

She shook her head. I-Im not Zhou Jinyu. Im Zhou Qianlin.

Wha- Lan Jue started, moving to sit by her side and looking at her closely. No, it was definitely Hera! Black hair, blue eyes How could she not know who she was? Even her scent, exactly as it was before.

Beloved Is it, amnesia? Lan Jue asked with uncertainty.

Zhou Qianlin drew the covers closer, saying quietly, Can I ask you something?

Anything, Lan Jue replied.

Zhou Qianlins eyes shone as she looked at him. You said this Jinyu is your wife then youve had relations before?

Of course! You really dont know? Lan Jue was unconvinced.

Zhou Qianlin nodded her head, then moved the comforter to the side. She pulled them from Lan Jues body.

Zhou Qianlins fair features grew red, and she turned her face to avoid looking at him. Her hand slipped from beneath the sheets and pointed. Well, then look at this.

A sense of trepidation filled Lan Jues heart. When he dropped his head to look, he was nearly petrified.

There, he saw a fresh smear of red.

It was quiet, quiet as the grave.

After a moment Lan Jue spoke, his voice strange. Im sorry. I didnt know you were

This time, it was Zhou Qianlin who was speechless.

Her body trembled, her lip quivered, her teeth clenched. It was as though she were afraid a curse would burst forth from her lips.

After some time her mood stabilized. She hissed coldly through gritted teeth:

This was my first time!

Lan Jue was dumbstruck. How could this be? He shook his head. No this cant be true. His heart sunk to the pit of his stomach.

First time? What did she mean the first time? It meant she wasnt Hera.

My Hera, my Jinyu. She still hasnt returned to me. Lan Jue felt as though hed been run through with a sword. The pain in his heart stole his breath.

Watching Lan Jues face drain of color, she too was dazed. The room sank in to a suffocating quiet.

Lan Jues pained voice arose as he spoke to himself. Three years. Three years. Why would God play such a cruel trick on me? Why give me hope? Dont you understand the more you hope, the more crushing when its gone. My Hera still hasnt returned.

So what youre saying is, what you just did to me wasnt intentional. Zhou Qianlins cold voice interrupted.

Huh? Her words snapped Lan Jue awake. Seeing here, this woman an exact replica of his Hera, somehow eased the suffering in his heart.

Yes! She wasnt Hera, but she and her

And, it had been her first time.

Further, the unification of the Eastern and Western Alliance leaders through this marriage.

Most important was that she knew who she was. Even if she didnt know, her family certainly would. In his arrogance hed let slip his name, sharing with her father regardless of the situation that his name was Zeus.

What to do?

Lan Jue felt his heart thumping in his chest. In all his life, hed never encountered such an awkward situation.

But it was done. Other than facing it, what else could he do?

W-well, Zhou Qianlin, youd been poisoned. Were suffering from its effect. So, I was forced against my will to

Zhou Qianlin glared at him, saying not a word.

Lan Jue was incapable of alleviating the situation. He knew of only one solution for the current problem.

The dead dont talk.

Kill her, and the problem would be gone!

And yet, could he do it?

Zhou Qianlin uttered, I have an older sister I think her name is Zhou Jinyu. She disappeared when I was young. Where did you meet her?

Lan Jue stared at her. An older sister? She was Jinyus younger sister, but Jinyu had told him she was an orphan!

A younger sister separated for that long?

He didnt know what to think.

Even if he could do it, silencing her wouldnt actually solve everything.

Zhou Qianlin shot him another cold glance. You just said Id be poisoned. Thats why you did that to me?

Yes, yes! Lan Jue nodded emphatically.

Zhou Qianlins expression changed, and she sat up abruptly. With eyes wide she glared at Lan Jue and yelled, Have you never heard of places called HOSPITALS on this planet? What sort of poison could a modern hospital not cure? You could have sent me to the hospital. If Im poisoned how does sleeping with me fix anything?

I Lan Jue stared at her dumbly, dropping his head after a moment. Not knowing whether to laugh or cry, he muttered, I thought you were someone else.

Zhou Qialins expression was pained, possibly due to the pain in her body.

Put your clothes on. I dont want to look at your hideous self. Im afraid Ill get a stye. She shook her head violently for him to leave.

Lan Jue scrambled to his feet, quickly pulling on his clothes. As he did, his eyes fell upon the wedding dress crumbled atop the sofa. It was probably your fianc who poisoned you. To go so far as to poison your own new wife this sort of scumbag, youre better off not marrying him.

Zhou Qianlin shot him a glare. How do you know it was him? Before then, he had never even touched me. Scumbag? YOURE the scumbag! And even if he was, at least he didnt break the law. You? You destroyed my wedding, and defiled my body. You tell me, what are we going to do about that?