The Female Lead's Awakening

Based on my experience, I knew the male lead would show up at this point. He would stand up for the female side character and reprimand the female lead.

Sure enough, I saw Lincoln hurry toward us, his expression anxious.

I narrowed my eyes at Suzanne. So, she wanted to frame me for hurting her when I hadn't even touched her? I would make her wish come true, then.

I walked down the steps and stomped on her hand, grinding the pointy tip of my heel into her palm.

Suzanne immediately howled in pain, and her tears flowed. Her pain was much more genuine now compared to earlier.

"Honestly, you knew I wasn't someone to be trifled with and that I would get physical, yet you still served yourself on a silver platter so I could hit you. Could you be more pathetic?" I felt dissatisfied despite saying that. So, I slapped Suzanne twice as a way of venting the original Carissa's anger!

"What the hell are you doing, Carissa? How dare you hit Suzy!" Lincoln darted toward Suzanne, who was weeping. He lifted her into his arms.

He called me "Carissa", yet she was "Suzy". It was a stark contrast.

"Why wouldn't I dare? I'll hit her whenever I want! Besides, she came here and asked for a beating. Ask her if you don't believe me!" I snapped.

"It's all my fault, Linc. Don't blame Carrie for this. I'm the one who's done her wrong—I'm the one at fault." Suzanne covered her mouth and started sobbing in earnest.

If not for me reading the original novel, I would've fallen for her performance. I shrugged and said, "Did you hear that? She told you not to blame me."

"You're evil, Carissa! You only pick on Suzy because she's kind-hearted!" Lincoln glared at me. Then, he turned and left with Suzanne in his arms. "I'll take you to the hospital first, Suzy. Don't worry—I won't let Carissa get away with this."

I pulled out a wet wipe from my bag and wiped the hand that had touched Suzanne earlier. It was too bad I'd had to dirty my hand while getting back at the latter.

…

I took a cab to the hospital and waited my turn to see the doctor. As I walked down the corridor, I ran into Lincoln and Suzanne. She was still in Lincoln's arms.

Her hand was bandaged, and she leaned against him while smiling sweetly. I silently cursed them on Carissa's behalf.

"Why are you also at the hospital, Carrie? Do you feel ill?" Suzanne saw me. She put on a show of being concerned about me but tightened her grip on Lincoln.

"It's none of your business. Don't you know that everyone hates nosy people?" I said. I didn't need to play nice with her.

She leaned closer against Lincoln at my words, looking aggrieved.

Lincoln snapped, "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth, Carissa! Suzy was just worried about you!"

If looks could kill, I would already be six feet under. Still, I didn't care. I snorted and retorted, "I don't need her concern. I'd like to live a good, long life, thank you."

Suddenly, my heart clenched. I could tell this was the original Carissa's resentment. I stepped forward and eyed them. "You feel bad for her because I've said that one sentence in retort, don't you? What about me? You've said far worse things to me in the past, haven't you?

"Doesn't anyone feel bad for me? She's a gentle woman, but aren't I? I've damaged my body after getting an abortion three times because it's what you wanted. I might not ever be a mother anymore! Don't I have the right to feel aggrieved?

"You and I have been married for three years, yet you want to divorce me and make me leave without a penny to my name so you can be with your mistress. Time and time again, you and your mistress have acted lovey-dovey to my face. Can't I feel wronged over that?"

I let everything out. I wanted him to hear all the pain and suffering he'd put Carissa through over the years.

Lincoln frowned. His gaze softened a little, and he didn't say a word.