Chapter 2

"Why haven't you come home?" Scott's face was carved from ice. Ever since Chloe came back, he always looked at me like this.

I couldn't remember the last time I saw him smile.

"Excuse me, sir. Please lower your voice. The patient cannot handle stress right now," Dr. Miller intervened.

Scott frowned, his lips curling into a cold, mocking smirk. "Summer, you really haven't changed at all, have you?"

I didn't understand what he meant, but he turned directly to Dr. Miller. "This is between my wife and me. It's none of your business."

Dr. Miller’s fists clenched, completely ignoring Scott’s dismissal.

"Summer is my patient. It's my job to protect her. Besides, even if you are married, that is no way to treat your wife."

Scott’s eyes narrowed. I knew that look. He was furious.

"I’ll go back with you. Stop fighting. My head hurts," I whispered.

Dr. Miller stepped forward quickly, his face full of concern. "Look at the shape you're in. You can't be discharged!"

"Don't worry yourself. My family owns a private hospital. She'll be taken care of." Scott pulled me against him, an act of sheer possessiveness, gripping my bruised shoulder so hard it made me wince.

"Dr. Miller, thank you for everything these past few days. I have to go."

Dr. Miller said nothing more. He quietly packed my things while Scott stood by the door, watching us like a hawk.

I didn't want to see him. I didn't want to hear his voice. Everything about him dragged me back into that cellar. That living hell was something I never wanted to relive.

Yet, I had to go back.

"Do you know Chloe is still in the hospital?"

The moment we got into the car, Scott spoke.

A bitter laugh choked in my throat. She was the one who pushed me down the stairs, yet she was the one lying in a luxury bed.

Chloe was Scott’s pure, untouchable first love. She had rolled down the stairs, and at the time, only she and I were standing there.

Such a cliché trap. But Scott bought it completely.

Everyone believed her. They demanded that I reflect on my actions. They demanded that I apologize to Chloe.

None of them knew what Chloe had put me through in the past.

When my parents died, she made sick jokes about their deaths and locked me in the school bathroom.

My arms, the back of my neck—I still bore the scars from her cigarette burns.

Just because she cried a few crocodile tears, everyone forgave her on my behalf.

And I had to smile and wipe her tears, or else I would be labeled the bitter, unreasonable one.

Nobody likes an unreasonable orphan. I didn't want to be thrown out on the street.

So back then, I had to smile and say, "It's fine."

"You want me to apologize, don't you?"

"Don't you think you should?" Scott looked disgusted.

"I should," I answered quietly.

Scott froze, glancing at me in disbelief, as if shocked I gave in so easily.

I couldn't even count how many times we had fought over Chloe. What was the point anymore?

He used to love her so deeply he would give up everything—his family, his company, his pride.

I could never compete with that. I should have realized it years ago.

If I had understood sooner, maybe I wouldn't have suffered all this misery.

"I've offended Miss Hayes plenty of times. Today, I'll give her a proper apology."

Scott stared at me intently. "What's wrong with you? Why are you so quiet today? Are you actually sick?"

I shook my head and went silent.

He sighed softly and reached over to take my hand.

Instinctively, I jerked my arm away, pressing my body tight against the car door, shivering uncontrollably.