Ben knew Nelson, but their relationship wasn’t close, so he didn’t know who Callie was. However, seeing their interaction, it seemed Callie held a significant place in Nelson’s heart.
Callie endured the severe pain, breathing heavily with her eyes closed. Nelson noticed she refused to look at him and said, “I won’t stop your father’s treatment. Your injuries are serious, so rest well.”
As he turned to leave, Callie suddenly asked, “What about Cora?”
“After attacking you, she knew there was no turning back. She used that knife to cut her own artery and bled to death,” Nelson recounted calmly, a hint of unseen anger in his eyes. She hadn’t even waited for the police to arrive.
“Dead,” Callie repeated numbly.
“And Marilyn?”
Nelson’s eyes narrowed slightly. “The Ellison family took her away, saying they would investigate thoroughly.”
Callie murmured, “That’s good…” At least she still had her family’s support.
She looked up and stared at the man without moving. “How much did you know about Cora’s plan?”
“I only got the call when you were taken,” Nelson seemed genuinely unaware; otherwise, he wouldn’t have been so passive during the rescue.
“Jaquan, you called him.”
“In that situation, he was the only one who could help me,” Nelson also looked at her. “But I didn’t expect him to come in person.”
Both understood the implication of his words, and silence fell between them.
Callie wanted to say more but didn’t know where to start. Her tone turned sarcastic, “Mr. Oconnor, your followers are indeed impressive, willing to risk their lives at any moment.”
Nelson glanced at her abdominal wound, his eyes darkening. “This time, when I wronged you, I will make it up to you.”
“Make it up?” Callie sneered. “How?”
Ben was a bit confused. He knew about the incident and thought it wasn’t Nelson’s fault. On the contrary, rescuing two people in such a situation was remarkable. Yet Callie seemed filled with resentment towards him.
Nelson sat down beside her, facing Callie directly. “What do you want?”
In the twilight, the woman’s face was very pale. She didn’t answer but asked instead, “You returned home early because you knew Marilyn was back. You went to see her, didn’t you?”
This was true. Nelson had no intention of hiding it anymore. “Yes.”
Callie then looked away. “I have no more questions.”
In her ears, Cora’s words seemed to echo, “It seems he chose Marilyn.”
It seemed he had always chosen her.
Nelson stood up and left.
Callie watched the man disappear at the door, his coat fluttering slightly as if she could still smell the familiar scent of tobacco. Her eyes stung with tears.
Don’t cry. There’s nothing to cry about.
Ben handed her a tissue to wipe her tears and gently advised, “Don’t be sad. Mr. Oconnor punished all of Cora’s men because you were hurt. If you hadn’t woken up, none of them would have left.”
She paused, somewhat surprised.
For three days, Callie didn’t see Nelson again; he was busy handling follow-up matters.
Ben stayed at Paucaster Villa Complex and took good care of her. No matter how cold or uncooperative she was with her medication, Ben always faced her with a smile. “Missy, be good. Scars on your wounds won’t look nice.”
At these times, she would stop resisting and let him do as he wished.