Chapter 2

Walking back into my apartment, a wave of bitterness washed over me.

I had designed every single corner of this place. I had stayed up all night hanging the lights and handcrafting the floral decorations.

I really thought we were going to build a happy life together.

I never realized our entire relationship was a calculated trap.

We met during one of my business trips. She was working bottle service at a loud club, supposedly busting her ass to pay for her mother's hospital bills.

Her grit and determination caught my eye. I thought it was just a fleeting encounter.

Then, right outside the club, a car hit me. She just happened to run out and rush me to the hospital.

She took care of me by my bedside for three days straight. My heart melted completely.

After that, I pursued her. Soon enough, we became an official couple.

Things changed during our second year of marriage. Her warmth faded away.

Whenever I came home from work, she was already out partying with her friends.

At first, I told myself not to smother her. She was her own person. She needed freedom.

Eventually, I barely saw her at all. Days turned into weeks. She was absent even on holidays.

Furious arguments broke out. Just when I began suspecting she was cheating on me, my phone rang.

"Ethan! Help me! Please, save me!"

She was trapped inside her car, sobbing hysterically.

I didn't think twice. I raced to the scene on the mountain road. When I arrived, the car was teetering precariously over the edge. There was no time to wait for the police.

Ignoring the danger, I ran to the driver's side and yanked the crushed door open.

The second she scrambled out, the car shifted. The momentum dragged me straight over the cliff.

A thick branch broke my fall, saving my life.

My legs, however, were crushed beyond repair. I suffered severe nerve damage and ended up bedridden, completely dependent on others.

Like an idiot, I thought risking my life would make her cherish our home.

Then I found out the sickening truth.

The car had almost gone over the cliff because she and Tyler had driven up there for a cheap thrill. They were hooking up right on the scenic overlook.

In the heat of the moment, one of them knocked the gear shift into neutral, and the car rolled toward the drop.

Brianna could have easily climbed out with Tyler. At worst, they would have just lost the car.

Tyler, however, had his eyes on my empire.

He knew that if I died, Brianna would inherit everything. And whatever belonged to Brianna belonged to him.

He told Brianna to call me and beg for rescue.

While I rushed over like a fool, Tyler hid in the bushes and watched.

And as Brianna scrambled out of the car, she intentionally stepped on the gas pedal.

Lying in that hospital bed, I had to listen to their mocking taunts. I was helpless, burning with rage.

I would rather burn my company to the ground than leave a single penny to that venomous snake.

I called Scarlett and asked her to take over the firm. As my lawyer was notarizing the transfer agreement, Brianna walked in.

"Ethan, I'm your wife! How dare you give the company to an outsider?"

"An outsider?" I barked. "You cheated on me and turned me into a cripple. Did you really think I'd hand you a dime?"