Edward Rochester loomed over Jane Eyre, his teeth clenched as he spoke: "Jane Eyre, since you have the courage to let John Reed threaten me, you must have the ability to bear all of this! Do you think pretending to be dead can get you out of it?"
But no matter how Edward treated her, Janes eyes remained tightly shut, showing no response.
At that moment, Helen Burns, who had been eavesdropping outside the door, could bear it no longer and pushed the door open: "Sir, the hospital has called again."
Helen looked at Jane lying on the ground, seemingly lifeless, and felt as if her heart was being cut by a dull knife, the pain inexpressible. This was her own daughter, and she couldnt stand by and watch her die.
Upon hearing this, Edward glanced at Jane on the ground, took a deep breath, grabbed his suit jacket, and almost fled.
In her daze, the unconscious Jane seemed to see the Grim Reaper and his companion approaching her with sinister smiles and chains.
A day later, Jane awoke to the desolate chill of the room.
The familiar wedding chamber, with the red double happiness character on the wall, mocked her pathetic state.
The pain on the left side of her waist was numbing, and the slightest movement drew out an excruciating pain that sapped her strength, leaving her sprawled by the bedside.
"Water... water..." She strained to reach out, the glass of water just within reach, yet always out of grasp.
Like her marriage to Edward Rochester, so close, yet a world apart.
"Edward, I want to see our new house," Blanche Ingram cooed, snuggling into Edwards arms as she looked up at him with a face made more beautiful by her illness, her eyes brimming with pleading.
Edward gazed at the door with the red character, his brows furrowed, a flicker of complex emotion crossing his eyes, but ultimately, he could not resist Blanches tears.
The door was pushed open, and Jane was startled. The glass of water she had barely managed to grasp slipped from her fingers, spilling its contents onto the floor.
Blanches hand trembled as she pointed at Jane on the bed, her body swaying as if she could barely stand, tears streaming down her face: "She... she, how can she stay here? Edward, this is our new house, the bed I chose so carefully, I..."
Her voice broke, and she collapsed into Edwards arms, her gaze shooting towards Jane like venom-tipped arrows.
Edward glared at Jane, his voice gentle as he comforted Blanche: "Blanche, dont get excited. This room has been tainted by her presence. We dont want it; well change to another."
"Jane Eyre, youve already got the position of Mrs. Rochester, return my new house to me, give it back to me..." Blanche sobbed, clinging tightly to Edwards waist.
Watching the pair cling to each other, Jane felt as if she could hear her heart shattering.
Look, this is everything you wanted, she seemed to hear the merciless mockery of fate.
Struggling to get up from the bed, ignoring the wound that bled afresh, she glared at the feigning Blanche and gritted her teeth, "I wont leave! I am Edward Rochesters lawful wife, known to all in Thornfield. The one who should leave is you, Blanche Ingram."
Blanche Ingram, who had promised that in return for Janes kidney donation, she would fulfill her and Edwards love.
Now she went back on her word and schemed to make Edward misunderstand her and John Reed.
Her despicable actions were too shameful, so Jane could not show weakness; she had to defend her love and marriage!
"You..." Blanche pointed at her, tears rolling down: "Edward, look at her... how arrogant she is..."
Her half-veiled words were more than enough to incite Edwards hatred towards Jane.
Seeing Janes unapologetic demeanor, Edwards conviction hardened, "Get someone, drag her out!" he commanded coldly, gently comforting Blanche in his arms.
The servants quickly approached, lifting Jane up and pulling her outside.
"I am Mrs. Rochester, who dares?!" Jane clung tightly to the door, not loosening her grip even as her nails split.
The words "Mrs. Rochester" enraged Edward, and he personally stepped forward, dragging Jane out.
Ignoring her pleas and wails, he turned a blind eye to the trail of blood on the ground.
He flung her into the pouring rain outside the door, discarding her like a bag of repulsive trash, and instructed, "No one is to open the door for her!"