The Devil's Good Girl
Chapter 170: Forever grateful

Chapter 170: Forever grateful

When the food arrived and Fil had a bite, it somehow soothed her headache. Kim wanted to stay with her for god knows how long, but Fil was compelled to go somewhere. Fil knew she could either stay in her room and sulk or continue moving forward.

She chose the latter.

If Fil was in this house of fire, she only had two options. Watch herself burn along with it, or try to break free from it. Either way, she’ll get hurt. Therefore, she would rather get hurt while trying. So when Kim excused herself and returned after half an hour, she already left.

"I’m back, dearest~!" Kim halted in the middle of the room, brows furrowed. "Fil?"

Kim searched the room, checking the bathroom if Fil was there. But Fil was nowhere to be found. But just as she rang Fil, she noticed a note on the bedside table. Picking it up, she read,

[I’m heading out for a while. Thank you for looking after me, but I’ll be okay.

-Fil]

Kim sighed as she ended the call.

"She’s always like this," she mumbled, glancing at her phone and ringing Jackson instead. As soon as the line connected, she spoke. "You win, Jack, but I think you have got to reconsider your plans. She’ll eventually self-destruct at this point. Take her back while you still can, or I’m gonna have to do it myself. I’m not watching her fall back into madness, Jack."

******

Fil stood in front of the private ward, staring at Valerie through the glass wall. Her eyes veered to the bandage around Valerie’s head. From what she recalled, Valerie hit her head and Fil couldn’t help if the loud thud she heard last night when Marianne pushed Valerie was the latter’s head hitting the edge of the pool.

’So, it wasn’t a dream?’Fil mentally whispered. ’She... almost died because of me.’

All this time, she thought she was just unlucky or brought an omen to people. After all, many of the people she knew were either destroyed or dead. Perhaps it was why Fil subconsciously kept her circle small and settled with Vincent’s circle.

’Or perhaps I’ve always known,’she told herself. ’But I just didn’t want to accept or see it. Instead, I believed what happened to them was a work of karma.’

"Fil?"

Fil slowly turned her head, pursing her lips as soon as her eyes met Vincent’s.

"Hey," she called quietly before setting her eyes on the glass wall. "How was she?"

"She’s stabilized," he answered, sauntering toward her and then standing beside her. "Fortunately."

"I see."

Vincent cast her a sidelong glance. "Why did you come?"

"Am I not allowed?"

"No." He sported a small smile, eyes on Valerie. "I just thought... you hated her."

"I don’t like her, doesn’t mean I’m happy to see her in here." A shallow breath escaped her. "Even though Valerie only did and said hurtful things to me, I never wished her harm. I’m sorry."

"Why are you apologizing? It’s not your fault."

"I upset her last night."

"And I chased her away." Fil slowly cast Vincent a look upon the latter’s response. Vincent kept his focus on his sister, his eyes swirling with guilt. "I knew telling her to go was the right thing to do. I was afraid she’d keep messing things up and end up embarrassing the family. The thought that she would ruin what I worked hard for annoyed the hell out of me, but... I should’ve made sure she returned to her room."

"I should’ve been a brother and talked to her. If only I did, she wouldn’t end up drinking and almost killing herself," he continued, and his jaw tightened. "This is our family’s fault, not yours. We spoiled her rotten instead of disciplining her. This is only the result of not correcting her earlier. She almost killed herself."

Fil pressed her lips, shifting her gaze back from Vincent to Valerie. ’No matter how unlikable Valerie was, Vincent still treasured her. Though this doesn’t excuse her actions, this was not her fault either. Nor was it Vincent’s or the Hale Family.’

"You should rest," she suggested after a prolonged silence. "I can stay here with her."

"I’ll wait for Mom and Dad. They are already heading back. I’ll go once they arrive." He smiled, this time casting his eyes on her. "Thanks, though."

Fil looked back at him and glanced at the cup of coffee in his hand. "Have you eaten?" she asked, lifting her gaze to him again. "I’ll keep you company until your parents arrive."

"Thanks, Fil."

With that being said, Fil accompanied Vincent to the cafeteria. There wasn’t anything they could do if they stayed in the ward. Hence, Vincent had to take care of himself if he didn’t want another Hale getting admitted to the hospital.

As he ate, Fil couldn’t help but stare at him and wonder.

What would happen to him if she told Marianne she was coming that night? If Marianne expected her that night, would this guy be eating in the hospital right now? With a career waiting for him? Or in a house arrest with a ruined reputation?

’I still believe he will cheat on me even if it’s not Marianne, and he isn’t as innocent,’ she thought, staring at the man sitting across from her. ’But I also think he is being victimized by Marianne and then... by me.’

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Vincent spoke after some time. "Do you feel sorry for me?"

Fil blinked back to the current lapse. "A bit. Say, Vin, what can you say that Marianne saved Valerie?"

"I’m grateful, of course." Vincent shrugged. "If not for her, no one would probably see Valerie that night. After all, everyone was busy. I don’t want to even imagine what setting we’re in right now if Anne didn’t go out last night to take a breath of fresh air."

"She really saved Valerie, huh?"

"We’ll be forever grateful to her." He smiled in relief before he reached for her hand and squeezed it. "And I’m also grateful that even when we already broke up, you’re still here to support me. Thank you."

Fil pursed her lips and glanced at their hands. She stared at it for a moment, not pulling her hand away for a reason she didn’t know. Instead, she looked up at him and smiled subtly. Though she didn’t say anything, a realization came clear to her mind.

’Michael was right,’she thought. ’I have to stop and move on without all these people in my life. I hope it’s not too late and I still can.’

The source of this c𝐨ntent is freewe(b)nov𝒆l

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