Slowly and carefully, Mabel made her way out of the room and into the garage. Edward's car was already running. She carefully eased herself into the seat, shut the door, and without a word, the car rolled out of the garage and through the gates.
By the time they arrived at the hospital, the sky had already turned dark. Edward had called ahead, so the medical team was waiting when they pulled up.
With their help, Mabel was gently taken into the emergency room.
"What happened?" the doctor asked while carefully cleaning the burns on her back.
Edward stood by the wall, arms crossed, saying nothing. Mabel stayed silent too, biting her lip to keep from crying out as the pain seared through her.
The doctor glanced at Edward for an answer but got none. He returned to his work, eyes focused on the burn.
"Good thing she shifted when she did," he murmured, dabbing the injured skin with soft cotton. "If she hadn't, this would have been much worse."
Mabel winced, her teeth gritting from the sting. Her body ached, but the ache in her chest was worse. Edward hadn't said a word to her. Not even a glance of concern.
After what felt like hours, the wounds were cleaned and bandaged.
"She'll need to stay in the hospital for now," the doctor said while packing his tools.
He motioned to the nurse beside him. "Take her to a private ward."
Soon, Mabel was moved to a private room. She lay on her stomach, exposing her back which was bandaged, and her eyes wet with unshed tears. The physical pain still throbbed, but it was Edward's cold silence that hurt the most.
As if he could hear her thoughts, Edward whispered softly, "You'll be fine."
But instead of comforting her, his words only made the tears come harder.
She was lying in a hospital bed, her body in pain, unable to move freely, while the one who hurt her was safe, resting in Edward's house. He hadn't said anything more about the incident. He hadn't called the authorities. It was like it didn't matter.
Just as she was struggling to hold herself together, the door flew open.
Edward's eyes snapped to the door, and his breath caught in his throat.
Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher rushed in, panic written all over their faces. They hurried to Mabel's side, their hearts clearly breaking at the sight of her.
Right behind them was Ellis Fletcher, Mabel's older brother. His eyes landed on Edward briefly, cold and sharp, then shifted to his sister, who had already broken into fresh sobs.
He walked quickly over to the bed. The moment his gaze fell on her bandaged back and foot, his face hardened. His hands clenched into fists at his sides.
"This is unacceptable!" Cyril Fletcher shouted angrily.
Alice Fletcher dropped to her knees beside the bed, tears running freely down her cheeks. Her voice cracked with pain. "How could she do this? How could someone be this cruel?"
"She's just an omega. A nobody!" she cried out, her voice thick with rage.
Mabel didn't say a word. She couldn't. Her tears did the speaking for her, rolling down her cheeks as her sobs shook the bed.
Cyril Fletcher stormed toward Edward, his face red with fury. "You couldn't protect your own from a mad omega!" he thundered, his voice shaking the room.
"This crime happened under your roof, against my daughter! And you just stood by and did nothing!" His anger was like fire, spiting through every word, veins bulging on his forehead.
Edward didn't move. He stood still, his jaw tight, trying hard to hold back the storm building inside him. They had barged in without asking what really happened. All they saw was their daughter hurt, and he was the first to be blamed.
But if Mabel had stayed in their home, would this have happened?
If she hadn't hit Lucille, would Lucille have reacted?
If she'd simply tested the water before stepping into the tub, would she be here now?
No one asked those questions. No one held Mabel accountable. All the blame was thrown at him.
"I want answers!" Cyril shouted, pointing a trembling finger at Edward. He didn't realize that Edward's calmness wasn't peace. It was the sign of something much darker.
"And if that omega isn't arrested and punished in the next 24 hours," Cyril growled, "I swear, I'll make sure this hits every media outlet in the country!"
Edward shot to his feet. He couldn't take the accusations anymore. Without looking at anyone, he stormed out of the room.
"Did you see that brat?" Cyril stared at the door Edward had just walked through, shocked.
Ellis Fletcher, his older son, was burning with anger. He rushed out of the hospital room after Edward.
"Edward!" he shouted, his voice sharp and furious, as he spotted him under the night sky, about to get into his car.
Edward paused, his hand on the door. He turned to see Ellis marching toward him, furious.
"How dare you walk out on my father?" Ellis barked. His words like a heavy slap on Edward.
Edward's face darkened, his eyes turning cold. He didn't reply. He simply unlocked the car, climbed in, and slammed the door shut.
Ellis quickly stepped in front of the car, trying to stop him from leaving, but he didn't expect what came next.
Edward started the engine. His eyes were hard, his grip on the steering wheel tight. Without a second thought, he hit the gas.
Ellis jumped out of the way just in time, panic flashing in his eyes.
"Idiot," Edward growled to himself as the car sped off.
Ellis stood frozen, staring at the empty road. His mind couldn't catch up with what just happened.
"What?" he whispered, still watching the road like he could somehow bring Edward back with just his gaze.
A tap on his back pulled Ellis out of his daze. He turned quickly, it was his father.
"He almost ran me over," Ellis said, his voice shaking with shock and disbelief.
"We're going to the criminal registry bureau. We need to file an official report," his father said, still clearly angry.
Ellis gave a quick nod and followed him to the car. They both got in and drove off.
Meanwhile, Edward was speeding down the road, the night swallowing his car as it roared forward. He slammed his fist against the steering wheel, trying to let out some of the rage boiling inside him, but it didn't help.
"Traitors," he hissed, his eyes blazing with fury.
Suddenly, his phone rang, cutting through his anger. He shoved a hand into his pocket, pulled out the phone, and glanced at the screen.
His father.
He must have heard what happened.
Without thinking twice, he answered.
"Come home. Now," his father's deep voice ordered.
"I'm on my way," Edward replied, then ended the call.
He turned sharply at the next intersection and pushed harder on the gas. The road was empty, the night quiet, perfect for a fast drive home.