Chapter 3

Ever since I kicked Olivia out, Julian and Tristan seemed determined to make my life miserable.

Julian paid for Olivia’s luxury hotel room out of his own pocket, while Tristan came over every day to cook dinner, deliberately making only enough for the two of them and Olivia.

I was too swamped with hospital work to deal with their petty games,

planning to handle it all on my day off.

But Olivia couldn't wait that long.

One evening, before the guys left, she cornered me on the staircase.

"Audrey, are you still mad at me?"

"Actually, Julian and Tristan care about you so much. Today..."

Before she could finish her little victim speech, I cut her off impatiently.

"Olivia, cut the crap. Do you really think I don't know what you're trying to do?"

Her eyes widened in panic.

I smiled coldly. "I’m going on an arranged date with Zackary Sterling this Sunday. If you want those two idiots so badly, they’re all yours."

"An arranged date? With who?"

Julian’s voice cut in. He walked up the stairs, wearing his usual casual slides, his face a mask of disbelief.

I turned to go to my room, but he grabbed my wrist in a bruising grip.

"Audrey, what did you just say? Say it again."

I met his furious gaze, my eyes dead and empty.

"Why should I?"

Beside us, Olivia suddenly put on a show of panic. She stepped up, grabby-handing at my wrist to pry Julian off.

"Julian, let's talk calmly. You're hurting Audrey!"

She pretended to protect me, but her fresh acrylic nails dug viciously into the soft flesh of my wrist.

Anger flared inside me. I yanked my arm back with all my strength.

Suddenly, Olivia let out a sharp shriek and tumbled backward down the stairs.

"Olivia!" Julian screamed in panic, instantly letting go of my wrist.

Just before she hit the bottom, Tristan, who had heard the noise, rushed out and caught her in his arms.

"Olivia! Are you okay?"

Olivia looked terrified, but once she realized she was unhurt, she burst into hysterical tears.

"Audrey, I’m so sorry! I really am!"

"I promise I won't try to steal Julian and Tristan from you anymore!"

"Please, just let me go!"

I slumped onto the stairs, my chest heaving as I struggled to breathe. My back was drenched in cold sweat.

I never imagined Olivia would risk her own safety just to play the victim and frame me!

Julian looked up at me, his eyes filled with disgust. He pointed an accusing finger at me.

"Audrey, how did you become so malicious? You’re supposed to be a doctor!"

And while Tristan didn't speak, his eyes silent-shamed me.

Had I changed?

I hadn’t done a single thing except show mercy to an ungrateful viper!

The ones who changed were them...

My body shook violently, and I felt like a fish suffocating on dry land.

Meanwhile, they were holding her, comforting her.

Not a single one of them cared if I lived or died.

"Get out... All of you, get out!"

I dragged myself up. Julian glared at me one last time before scooping Olivia up in his arms and walking out.

Tristan didn't forget to grab the sweet and sour chicken he had made for her.

The front door slammed shut with a deafening bang.

Fighting off the wave of nausea and dizziness, I crawled back to my room, inch by inch.