Wake Up Leave The Liar novel Chapter 8

Chapter 8 Nothing but Malnutrition

Just then, the patient slowly opened her eyes.

Tatiana stirred from her coma. No one was happier than Bianca. “Tatiana! You’re awake! Thank goodness! I was so worried about you!”

She seized Tatiana’s hand in a show of excitement, but in truth pressed down hard on the vein where the IV needle pierced, shoving it forward cruelly.

The sudden pain jolted Tatiana’s hazy mind awake.

Bianca waited for her to shove her away. She was even ready to fall to the floor.

But Tatiana only let out a muffled groan and stayed still.

The needle slipped out of her hand, blood welling up and dripping onto the floor.

When Jasper turned and saw it, fury surged through him. He yanked Bianca back roughly. “What are you doing!”

Bianca nearly fell. Startled by the harshness in his tone, she quickly forced tears into her eyes. and stammered an apology.

“I’m sorry, I was just too happy. I didn’t mean to pull at Tatiana’s wound. I didn’t do it on purpose.”

Realizing his reaction had been too sharp, Jasper stiffened.

Lauren hurried to shield Bianca. “She was only being kind. She didn’t mean it, Jasper. How could you push her?”

Jasper forced himself to soften. “Sorry.”

Tatiana stared blankly at the blood streaming from her hand.

For a moment, she thought she had already died.

She had dreamed of the past and hadn’t wanted to wake. Traces of tears still marked her face.

She lifted her head slowly. Her hollow gaze landed on Jasper, then drifted away.

Jasper froze. That look… it was like watching the last flicker of an oil lamp before it went out.

For a split second, panic stirred inside him. His throat tightened. He whipped his head toward Xavier, voice sharp. “What’s her illness?”

Everyone looked at Xavier.

Tatiana too. She noticed the chart in his hands and knew the truth.

So they had found out.

She had lung cancer.

Were they happy?

The culprit had finally gotten her retribution.

Surely, they would let her go now.

But the next moment, Xavier slammed the report down on the desk. His face hardened with disappointment, his tone dripping with scorn.

“Tatiana, how much longer are you going to play this trick? The reformatory didn’t cure your bad habits–it only made you an Oscar–winning actress!”

Lauren blinked. “Xavier, what do you mean? She’s not sick?”

“It’s

hing but malnutrition. That’s all. Worth making such a scene? She had to soak herself in the rain just to spike a fever and worry everyone?”

His voice was full of anger, though beneath it a flicker of relief–relief that he could blame her instead of himself.

Jasper snatched up the chart and scanned it. All the numbers were normal. Aside from malnutrition, she was healthy.

So everything before–the weakness, the collapse–was nothing more than a ploy.

Sick, frail, dying? Lies.

Suddenly, Chester stepped forward and slapped her hard across the face.

Smack.

Her head snapped to the side, her cheek reddening and swelling.

“You’ve disappointed me beyond words! I’ll contact Zion Steele to take you back. Trash like you has no place in this family!”

Lauren’s last ounce of softness vanished. “Bianca’s health is fragile. She worried so much she skipped meals, and you do this? Tati, you’re going back to your real family. The Lowells can’t

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keep you.”

Bianca, in turn, comforted her. “It’s okay, Mom. As long as Tatiana’s fine, that’s what matters.

Her voice faltered, her body swaying as if faint.

gas

“Biancal”

Lauren rushed to steady her. “Xavier! Quickly, check on her!”

Xavier gathered his sister in his arms. “Emergency room!”

The Lowells hurried out, all of them surrounding Bianca.

Left behind, Jasper’s gaze turned icy as he stared down at Tatiana. “If you feign illness again, you’ll die miserably.”

He turned on his heel and left to follow Bianca.

Tatiana sat frozen on the hospital bed for a long time before climbing down. With trembling hands, she picked up the medical report from the floor.

It was nothing like her real report.

It had been altered.

Could it be that Xavier truly didn’t notice? A doctor of his caliber? Or was it that he simply didn’t care, already convinced she was lying?

She clutched the report, torn between tears and laughter, her heart hollow.

Before long, Zion and his wife arrived, bowing and scraping apologies to Chester.

“Sorry, Mr. Chester. Our Tatiana has caused you trouble. We’ll take her home and keep her under control. Don’t worry–she won’t bother you again!”

Chester’s face twisted in disgust. “Take her back. Reform her properly.”

“Of course, of course! Don’t worry, we’ll teach her well. It’s just… we’re a bit poor these days. Another mouth to feed is hard to manage…”

Zion rubbed his hands together, eyes gleaming with a pointed hint.

Chester didn’t want scandal–no rumors of an abandoned foster daughter starving to death. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed a wad of cash their way.

The couple’s eyes lit up, eager to count it right then and there.

Only Tatiana remained still, her face expressionless, as though the girl being cast out and sold off‘ wasn’t her at all.

As they were leaving, Chester reminded sharply, “Tomorrow at eight, take her to the civil office. Don’t be late.”

“Yes, yes, of course. Right on time!”

Just before she was dragged away, Xavier hesitated and called out. “Tati.”

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