Plot Twist, I Was Just Her Wallet - Chapter 6: Chapter 6

I came to in an empty hospital room, my throat parched and scratchy. My hand fumbled weakly for the water cup, fingers refusing to cooperate as it slipped and shattered on the tile floor.
The door swung open to reveal a woman in a hat and surgical mask. "You're awake," she said, pouring fresh water before I could speak. "You hit a tree after swerving to avoid another car. I brought you here."
"Was that your car?" I croaked.
She shook her head vigorously. "Just a Good Samaritan. Your injuries are minor, but I'll call the police to sort things out."
Lucky break, I thought. Could've been worse.
"I'm Emma," she continued. "Should I call someone for you?"
Who was there to call? Dad would worry sick. Celine? Jack? The last people I wanted to see. I shook my head.
Emma hesitated like she wanted to say more, but left when officers arrived. They explained a drunk driver had caused the near-miss. The airbag had saved me from serious injury. After taking my statement, they left.
I drifted back into a foggy sleep until darkness fell. My phone showed only Dad's missed calls. When I returned his call, I lied about being with Celine to avoid worrying him.
Then came the impulsive decision. I called Celine.
"Hello?" Her voice crackled with impatience.
"I'm in the hospital," I said flatly, staring at the ceiling. "Come see me. Bring your porridge."
A pause. Rustling sounds. Then: "Okay, I'll be there soon."
I hung up without feeling anything.
Fifteen minutes later, her callback came. "Alex, I'm so sorry," she said, guilt creeping into her voice. "Work emergency. My assistant will bring porridge tonight. I'll come first thing tomorrow with more, okay?"
"Okay." Click.
No surprise there. In all our years together, had she ever truly cared? Yet I'd foolishly believed I could be her exception.
Tears came silently at first, then erupted in wrenching sobs until exhaustion claimed me. I turned toward the window, watching the night sky through swollen eyes.
My phone lit up with Jack's Instagram post:
"Just owned M in a game! Her punishment: buying me new skins weekly for a month! Witness our bet!"
The photo showed them cozy in pajamas on his couch - the picture of domestic bliss while I lay broken in a hospital bed.
Hands shaking, vision blurred, I typed five words to Celine: "Let's break up."
Morning brought Celine bearing a thermos. She pretended nothing had changed. "How are you feeling?" she asked, offering the container.
"Did you see my message?" My voice was calm.
"Alex," she chided, "don't say things you don't mean."
The seafood porridge's fishy stench hit me - I'm allergic. Jack's favorite.
"You forgot my allergy," I stated.
A flicker of panic crossed her face. "I'll have my assistant bring something else."
"Or was this meant for Jack, and I'm an afterthought?"
"Don't be ridiculous," she snapped.
The thermos shattered against the floor. "Who's being ridiculous? You and Jack think I'm blind?"
Her guilty silence confirmed everything.
I remembered our beginning - how she'd defended me against critics, fought for my achievements, filled my life with thoughtful surprises. When had we become strangers?
"Jack's just... fun," she finally admitted. "No pressures, no rules."
The irony choked me. She'd begged me to mature, to build connections for her career. Now she wanted a man-child?
"Alex," she pleaded, "it's just fun with Jack. I can't lose you."
I laughed bitterly. "Can't lose me? Or my family's resources?"
Her silence spoke volumes.
The door opened to reveal Emma with a lunchbox. She glanced between Celine and the spilled porridge, understanding dawning. "Brought you some home cooking," she offered.
The simple meal tasted divine. Celine stood fuming as I ate.
When I finally looked up, I delivered the killing blow: "Dad's withdrawing his investment. Whether your company survives is up to you now."