Elisa felt a dull ache in her abdomen, as if something was moving inside her. She covered her stomach and hurried to the bathroom, where she froze upon seeing the blood on her pants.
“Is it that time of the month?” Elisa’s menstrual cycle was irregular, and she realized it had been a long time since her last period. No wonder it was so painful this time.
Elisa put on a sanitary pad and plugged in the electric hot water bottle beside her stomach, but the pain still persisted. She quickly took two strong painkillers and finally managed to suppress the throbbing pain.
Curled up in bed, Elisa felt weak all over, unable to gather her strength or focus her mind.
Mrs. Gordon went upstairs and asked with concern, “Miss Powell, are you alright? Do you want me to call a doctor for you?”
Elisa covered herself with the blanket and replied hoarsely, “No need, it’s just that time of the month. I’ll be fine after these two days.”
Mrs. Gordon nodded in understanding, then turned and gently closed the door as she left the room.
It didn’t take long before footsteps could be heard outside, and the door opened. Elisa thought it was Mrs. Gordon and didn’t bother to look up. It was only when a shadow loomed over her that she sensed something was wrong. She turned her gaze and met Hamish’s face.
“Why did you come up here?” she asked.
Hamish looked at Elisa’s pale and sickly face and asked, “Are you still feeling uncomfortable?”
“Yes,” Elisa replied.
Upon hearing this, Hamish took out his phone to call the doctor.
“What are you doing?” Elisa asked.
“I’m calling a doctor. He knows you don’t like going to the hospital, so he specifically arranged a family doctor half a month ago.”
But Elisa didn’t appreciate his concern. “I don’t want to see a doctor. I have stomach cancer, and I’m afraid the doctor will find out.”
“This is not the time to refuse. By the time you want to see a doctor, it may be too late.”
“I know my body better than anyone. I don’t need you to interfere.” Elisa was getting increasingly irritated, and her current mood was like a stick of dynamite next to a bonfire. It was hard to control her emotions during her menstrual cycle, and having Hamish in front of her was like a fly buzzing around.
Hamish’s lips curved into a smile. “Do you think I want to interfere?”
Elisa sneered. “Since you don’t want to interfere, then leave. I can’t stand your presence.”
“Elisa, control your stubbornness and don’t make things difficult for me.” His temper flared up in an instant.
Elisa pursed her lips, held the hot water bottle in her arms, found a comfortable position, closed her eyes, and decided that what she couldn’t see wouldn’t bother her.
Hamish saw that she was unwell and didn’t want to disturb her, but he couldn’t help but speak up again. “Don’t go out so much in the future. You’re already sick after just a few days.”
Elisa put down the hot water bottle and covered her ears. Why was she getting sick if not because of Hamish’s secret actions? If it weren’t for him, she wouldn’t have had to search for a job, endure the scorching sun, and end up falling ill.
Hamish, the instigator of all this, had no idea and was now lecturing her.
Hamish just wanted to force her to comply, to be a docile robot who wouldn’t cry or make a fuss, only cooking and sleeping with him like an inflatable doll.
Finally, Hamish learned from Mrs. Gordon that Elisa was experiencing her menstrual period.
“Does it hurt this much during your period?” he asked.
Mrs. Gordon explained, “It depends on the individual’s physical condition. Some people don’t experience any pain during their period, while others may have one or two days of pain. In severe cases, the pain can last until the end. Miss Powell’s situation seems to be a result of her weak physical condition. Taking some medication should help.”
“What should she do if she doesn’t see a doctor now?”
“I’ll make some ginger tea later. Drinking it should provide some relief. Tomorrow, I’ll take her to the hospital to get medication for this.”
Mrs. Gordon nodded.
After a while, Hamish went upstairs and Mrs. Gordon brought the ginger tea.
“Give it to me,” Hamish said, taking the bowl and walking to the bedside. “Get up and drink the ginger tea.”
Elisa opened her misty eyes and, with the support of Hamish’s arm, sat up. She looked at the bowl of golden ginger tea and turned her face away, wrinkling her nose. “I won’t drink it.”
“If you drink it, your stomach won’t hurt as much.”
“I’ve already taken painkillers, and the pain is gone. The smell of ginger tea is pungent and spicy. She was afraid that if she took a sip, she would vomit. Besides, she couldn’t drink ginger due to her stomach cancer.”
“Painkillers won’t do any good.”
“Whether it’s effective or not, it’s not for you to decide. As long as I don’t feel any pain, I’m fine.” Elisa gritted her teeth and refused to drink.
Hamish frowned, his patience wearing thin. He tightened his grip on Elisa’s body, forcefully held her jaw, and tried to make her open her mouth. He poured the ginger tea into her mouth.
Hamish didn’t take care of her properly, and he didn’t know to blow on the hot ginger tea. Elisa was scalded and tears streamed down her face. She struggled, and in Hamish’s eyes, she was defying him, so he exerted even more force.