?Chapter 1125:


    A smile tugged at her lips, soft and lingering, as if she could still feel the warmth of his presence.


    But the lightness shattered with the sudden, sharp click of high heels in the hallway.


    Her gaze snapped to the door, and just like that, her expression turned to ice. Shelly.


    “Yvonne, I heard you were sick,” Shelly cooed as she sauntered in, her tone sticky-sweet with a sharp edge.


    Yvonne’s instinct was to ignore her, but the implication in her tone made her pause. “Who told you that?”


    “Oh, don’t worry about that,” Shelly replied airily, waving a hand. “I came to visit you. Aren’t you happy to see me?”


    She didn’t wait for an answer. Her gaze swept the room like a queen inspecting a rival’s court. “You’re sick, and Norton isn’t here? That’s odd, isn’t it?”


    The moment Shelly’s voice lilted through the room—overly sweet and theatrical—Yvonne felt a ripple of disgust stir in her chest. Masking it with a serene smile, she responded coolly, “Ms. Tucker, why such concern for my husband?”


    Shelly’s face stiffened, fury shing behind her eyes before sheposed herself again, stering on a sugary smile that didn’t reach her gaze. “Oh, I’m only worried about you, dear. Marriage can be… difficult.”


    Yvonne let out a cold, brittleugh. Worried about her? Hardly. Shelly was practically salivating for a crack in her happiness.


    Shelly absentmindedly inspected her nails, then let her gaze drift back to Yvonne—still lying in the hospital bed, pale and dressed in a shapeless gown. “We women ought to keep up appearances, you know. It’s important not to let ourselves go.” Her gaze swept disdainfully over the hospital attire, a subtle sneer ying at her lips.


    Irritated, Yvonne’s smile turned razor-sharp. “I suggest you focus on yourself. I’m doing just fine without your advice.”


    Without waiting for a reply, her eyes shifted to the TV, pointedly ignoring Shelly’s presence. “You can leave now. You’re not wee here.”


    Shelly reeled back like she’d been pped. “Unbelievable!” she snapped, tossing her hair. “I try to be kind and you throw it in my face!” She flounced out of the ward, hips swaying like a stage performance.


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    Out of the corner of her eye, Yvonne caught the retreating silhouette and couldn’t suppress a small, knowing smirk. Shelly’s concern had all the sincerity of a snake oil salesman.


    Just outside the room, Shelly rounded the corner—and collided directly with Norton.


    Her eyes sparkled. Showtime. With a blink, she summoned tears like a seasoned actress.


    Norton arched an eyebrow, his gaze flicking to the door she’d just exited. He paused to search her face.


    That pause was all she needed to lean in with a pitiful pout.


    “1 came to check on Ms. Jimenez out of concern… but she kicked me out,” Shelly whimpered. But her theatrics only earned a frown. Norton turned slightly, already preparing to walk off.


    Panicked, Shelly scampered after him. “How could she treat me like this? I only—”


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