Back From Prison, Built For Revenge - Chapter 66: Chapter 66

Chloe's eyes fluttered open. Harsh sunlight streamed through the thin curtains, speckling her face. Her head pounded fiercely, and her body felt weak and achy. She attempted to sit up, but it was like trying to lift a boulder. She couldn't move at all.
"Chloe, you're awake." A shrill voice pierced her ear, along with a blast of overpowering perfume. The scent was so strong that it was almost suffocating. It was a clear sign that the woman beside her was no ordinary character.
Chloe tilted her head slightly and saw Phoebe standing by the bed, her eyes red-rimmed as if she had been crying. Her fingers trembled slightly, as if she were struggling to contain her emotions.
Phoebe clutched Chloe's hand, her voice trembling with feigned concern. "You really freaked me out. When you suddenly fainted earlier, the doctor said you..." Her tone carried a hint of unease, as if she were truly worried about Chloe's health.
Chloe subtly withdrew her hand. The sharp scent of disinfectant in the room turned her stomach, and Phoebe's over-the-top performance only made it worse. 'This kind of fake concern is just disgusting,' she thought.
Standing behind Phoebe, Yolanda handed Chloe a glass of water with a show of concern. "Chloe, how are you feeling now? Any better?" Her soft voice had a clear hint of pretense.
Chloe just gave Yolanda a cold stare instead of taking the water. She thought, 'They are such great actresses. They can outdo the pros.'
The room felt suffocating, filled with a mix of harsh disinfectant and Phoebe's overpowering perfume that made Chloe's stomach churn. She averted her gaze, unwilling to face their fake smiles.
"Chloe, are you still mad at me? I know I was pretty tough the other day, but I only said those things for your own good," Phoebe babbled, her voice dripping with fake hurt, acting like she was the one who'd been wronged.
Chloe shut her eyes, ignoring Phoebe. She thought, 'This is so boring. Doesn't she understand I don't need her so-called concern at all?'
"Chloe..." Yolanda was about to say more when a firm voice cut her off.
Demi stood firmly at the doorway, her tone leaving no room for argument. "Mrs. Stone, Ms. Stone, the doctor has advised that Ms. Quinn needs complete rest. Please leave now." Her presence brought Chloe a glimmer of relief.
Phoebe and Yolanda's expressions shifted instantly, but due to Demi's status, they dared not make a scene. Their expressions grew complicated, as if their pretenses had just been exposed.
As Phoebe was about to speak, Demi stepped in front of her, blocking her way. "Mrs. Stone, leave now," Demi said sharply, her tone leaving no room for doubt that if they didn't go, she would make sure they would regret it.
The doctor examined Chloe closely, his face serious and his voice somber. "Ms. Quinn, you're in a very fragile state. You need to rest and stay away from stress." His words felt like a sharp knife, stabbing right into Chloe's heart.
The doctor finished his examination, shook his head slightly, and told Chloe to rest. Chloe knew exactly what he meant. She thought, 'He's not worried out of kindness. He's worried because he can't do much for my condition.'
Phoebe was shut down by Demi, but she still hung around the room, refusing to leave. Chloe just sighed inwardly at her persistence. 'What a nuisance,' she thought.
"Chloe, I'm staying to look after you. I can't possibly leave you alone like this," Phoebe insisted, her tone leaving no room for argument, as if Chloe were her own daughter. She completely ignored Chloe's feelings.
Chloe finally reached her breaking point. She shot upright, jabbed a finger toward the door, and roared, "Get out! All of you! Cut the act. You're disgusting." Her voice thundered through the room.
Phoebe and Yolanda were taken aback by Chloe's sudden outburst, their faces darkening. Shock quickly turned to anger on their faces, but they had no way to vent their frustration.
"Chloe, you..." Phoebe attempted to explain, but Chloe cut her off sharply.
"Are you just here to laugh at me? Well, you've seen enough. Happy now? Can you just leave?" Chloe's voice was dripping with disgust and rage, like she was shredding their fake smiles.
Seeing the tension rise, the doctor quickly stepped in. "Mrs. Stone, Ms. Quinn really needs to rest. I insist you leave and let her recover in peace." To Chloe, his words were a lifeline.
Only after the doctor's repeated urging did Phoebe and Yolanda finally slink out of the room, looking utterly humiliated. It was as if their carefully built facades had just been torn down.
After the doctor escorted them out and shut the door, the room grew quiet and calm. Chloe slumped back onto the bed, closed her eyes, and took a deep, steadying breath. 'Finally, they're gone,' she thought, feeling a wave of relief.
'They are utterly fake. Thank goodness I have absolutely no blood relation to them. If I did, I'd probably have been consumed by their toxicity long ago,' Chloe thought to herself.
After a few days in the hospital, Chloe felt strong enough to visit Evelyn. She felt a bit nervous, though. Evelyn was in bad health, and Chloe didn't want to add to her worries.
Demi felt a pang of sympathy for Chloe's injuries. Knowing she couldn't change Chloe's mind, she carefully helped her get dressed, moving as gently as if she were handling a delicate masterpiece.
"Let me do it myself, Demi," Chloe said, catching the concern in Demi's eyes. A surge of gratitude welled up inside her. She didn't want Demi to worry about her. Demi had her own life to tend to.
"No way," Demi said firmly, helping Chloe get dressed and then gently supporting her as she stood up. "The doctor said you can't strain your wound." Her determined look made it clear. If Chloe didn't listen, she wasn't going anywhere.
A dull ache throbbed from the wound on Chloe's back, making every step a challenge. She leaned heavily against the wall, inching toward Evelyn's courtyard. Her heart was heavy with worry. She silently prayed, 'Grandma, you must be fine.'
As Chloe approached the courtyard gate, she heard faint laughter and chatter drifting out. Her breath caught. She'd recognize one of the voices. It was Carlos's. Hearing it felt like a knife stabbing through her, sending a wave of unease through her.
Chloe took a deep breath, steadying her nerves. 'I can't lose my composure now,' she reminded herself. With careful control, she gently pushed the door open and stepped inside.