His Plaything Became the Heiress He Can't Touch

The emergency room at the International Medical Center was brightly lit, the smell of antiseptic hanging heavy in the air. Carol lay on the hospital bed, letting the medical staff check her over. The harsh white walls and those glaring lights made everything around her seem a little unreal. It was late at night, but the ER was still buzzing-people coming and going, all caught in their own battles between life and death.

Carol was alone. As people passed by, they threw curious glances her way-some even looked a little sympathetic.

The attending doctor gave a small smile. "Miss Bright, you're really lucky. The car's basically totaled, but you only have a few scrapes."

Carol's face was pale. She gently massaged her temples. "Doctor, I feel kinda dizzy and queasy. What's going on?"

He glanced at her chart. "Looks like your head got knocked around a bit. We ran all the scans-no bleeding in the brain. Just a mild concussion. The dizziness, nausea, and that fuzzy feeling? All completely normal. Rest up, don't overthink it. You'll be fine."

"Thanks, Doctor."

Just then, a patrol officer walked in. Behind him was the man who'd hit her.

"Footage shows you stepped into the street yourself," the officer said. "If you're open to settling this privately, he's here to talk."

The driver was a middle-aged man, apparently a taxi driver. He looked nervous and earnest. "Miss, I'm really sorry. It's true I hit you, but it wasn't all my fault. I'll cover all your medical expenses. I just... I hope we can just let it end here."

One glance and it was easy to tell she came from money-the way she dressed, the jewelry... way beyond his league. He could afford to pay the hospital bills, but anything more...

Carol didn't make it difficult. She nodded at the officer and driver. "Okay. It's fine. Sorry this caused so much trouble."

And just like that, the whole car accident situation was resolved.

A nurse walked over with some forms. "Your injuries aren't serious, but we still need a family member to sign off on a few things. Could you get someone to come by?"

She looked at the worn-out girl in front of her and poured her a cup of warm water. The poor thing had no one with her after the accident.

Carol checked her pockets, realizing her phone was gone. Must've fallen during the crash. Luckily, just then, the cop brought it back.

She turned it on and opened her contacts, pausing when she saw Edward's name.

But she didn't dial. Edward had ditched her birthday plans to stay with Jessica because Jessica wasn't feeling well. Carol figured-if she was just a little banged up, there was no way he'd leave Jessica to come to her.

After thinking about it, she realized Christopher was the only reliable person she could call.

As for Sophia, she was too impulsive-telling her might just cause a scene.

Not long after she hung up, Christopher rushed into the room. His expression was full of worry. "What happened? How did you end up in a car accident? Where are you hurt?"

She placed a hand on his to calm him down. "It's really not a big deal. Just a mild concussion and a few scrapes. The doctor said I'll be okay."

Hearing that, Christopher finally looked a little less tense.

"Did you fill out the admit papers? If not, I'll have someone handle it. You're gonna need to stay for a couple days just to be safe."

At the mention of staying, Carol immediately shook her head. "It's okay, Chris. I really don't want to be admitted. The doctor said it's nothing serious anyway."

Christopher sighed and took off his coat, draping it over her shoulders. "Why don't you want to stay?"

Carol stayed quiet, eyes low.

Christopher didn't push it any further. He could tell right away something wasn't right. He glanced at her, testing the waters: "Carol, isn't today your birthday? I got you a gift, thought you'd be with Edward, so I didn't want to bother you. Where is he? Why wasn't he with you when this happened?"

Carol used to think breakdowns looked like dramatic screaming matches. Turns out silence could be even louder. Everything around her moved like water passing by-she was the only one stuck in this whirlpool of pain, unable to escape.

She didn't look at him. Instead, she stared blankly at the patch of light some distance away, her voice coming out calm and almost indifferent: "Jessica wasn't feeling well. He's with her. Couldn't leave."

Christopher noticed the slight tremble of her lashes, the way her pale fingers clutched the blanket just a bit too tightly. Her expression didn't change much, but the emotion buried in her eyes gave her away.

He gently tucked her stray hair behind her ear. "He and Jessica grew up together, they've got a special bond. Still, you just got in an accident, and he wasn't here? That's not okay. I'll have a word with him, okay?"

Carol bit her lip, finally lifting her eyes toward him. "Chris... Edward really loves Jessica, doesn't he?"

There was a fleeting shadow in Christopher's gaze. He gave a soft chuckle. "I just remember the night Jessica left the country... Edward drank so much, he ended up in the ER with a bleeding stomach."

He didn't give a direct answer, but everything in his tone made it clear: Edward loved Jessica, no question.

Carol's lips were dry and slightly cracked, pressed into a firm line now. It felt like someone had their hand wrapped tight around her throat, and there was no way to let out the kind of sorrow that made your whole body ache. It was like being run over slowly by a giant stone roller-bloody, painful, relentless.

She had known the answer deep down. But still, she asked-maybe hoping for a lie, anything kinder than the truth.

Christopher had been watching her closely, the pain in her face tugging at that long-frozen place in his chest.

He gently cupped her cheeks, his thumb brushing lightly over her skin. "Alright, no more gloomy stuff. It's your birthday today." He glanced at his watch. "Still got a few minutes until midnight. I'll ask someone to grab you a cake."

Carol gave a strained smile. "Don't bother, Chris. It's just another day. Cake or not, it doesn't matter anymore."

Christopher looked around the room, then stood up. "Wait here."

She watched him, slightly dazed, as he managed to trade something with a kid nearby and returned with a lollipop.

He unwrapped it, holding it out to her. "Blueberry, your favorite. Sweet things for your birthday. Maybe life will get a little sweeter too."

The sight of the familiar blueberry lollipop made her eyes sting. Back in school, she used to love these. Always had one in her mouth-until Sophia said it wasn't proper for a girl from a respectable family. So, she forced herself to stop.

Christopher gave her a big warm smile. "Happy birthday, Carol."

Looking at him, Carol couldn't describe how she felt. Everything that had happened over the past few days hit her all at once-so unfair, it hurt.

She remembered how Christopher pushed her away when she wanted to stay with the Dawsons. They'd clashed before. But his kindness tonight... it wasn't fake.

She had always acted tough, but right now, she just felt so small and tired.

Voice barely above a whisper, eyes a little wet, she said: "...Thanks."

Christopher glanced toward the hallway and gently pulled her into his arms, one hand softly patting her frail back.

Right now, Carol needed someone-anyone-to be there.

She didn't resist. Emotions overwhelmed her, and she just... leaned in.

And then-just when the room seemed wrapped in stillness and warm light-an icy voice cut through it like a knife.

"What the hell is going on here?"