Chapter 3Reborn: I Tore Apart the Poisoned Comb

I was silent for a few seconds. When I didn't respond, her voice grew louder, more frantic.

"We're on our way to the hospital now. You need to get here."

"She was calling your name before she passed out."

"If you have any conscience at all, you'll come."

She hung up. Over the line, I could just make out Mia's weak voice, calling my name.

Interesting.

But even if Zara hadn't said all that, I would have gone. I wanted to see just how badly she was hurt.

By the time I got to the hospital, Zara was helping Mia out of the emergency room. Mia's head was wrapped in a thick bandage, and her leg was in a cast.

When Zara saw me, her face lit up with relief. "You're finally here! Go pay the bill."

I pointed at myself, incredulous. "What did you say? Me pay the bill?"

Zara didn't seem to notice my shock. She nodded matter-of-factly. "Who else? You and Mia are so close. Shouldn't you help her out?"

A bitter smile twisted my lips. "We're close, yes, but I'm not a charity." I gestured to Mia with my chin. "Mia, you're hurt pretty badly. You should call your parents. This bill needs to be paid."

Mia's face flushed with shame. "It's fine, it's fine. I have some money. I don't need to call them."

Zara looked annoyed. "Then why did you tell me to wait for Belle to get here? You made me waste all this time."

Mia hung her head, mumbling an apology.

Zara sighed, then looked at me. "Come on, we'll go pay together."

On the way, her attitude toward me softened. "How did Mia get into a car accident, anyway?" I asked.

Zara scratched her head, looking confused. "We were going to the cafeteria, and this car was coming. And Mia just… threw herself in front of it."

I was stunned. "You mean… she did it on purpose?"

Zara looked troubled. "What else could it be? If she hadn't acted like she was possessed, she wouldn't be the one paying for it now."

A thought struck me. I grabbed her arm. "What color was the car she jumped in front of?"

Zara frowned, thinking. "White," she said, her voice growing more certain. "Yes, it was a white car! I remember clearly, because there was blood all over it."

Her words sent a shiver down my spine. The car that had run over the comb I threw away... it was white.

A wave of relief washed over me. Thank God I threw that comb away.

After paying the bill, Mia insisted on being discharged, against the doctor's advice. She said she couldn't afford to stay.

"If you can't afford it, then you should go home," I said coldly.

As I spoke, I was watching her. For a split second, I saw a flash of pure hatred in her eyes before she could hide it.

When we got back to campus, I told Zara to help Mia back to the room. "I'll be there in a minute. I have something to do."