Chapter 2

My dad couldn't take it anymore. He roared, "Carter Vance! Are you even human?!"

"I trusted you with my daughter, and you let them torture her like this? How can you stand there and do nothing?!"

He threw himself against the bodyguards blocking him.

"Get out of my way! Get lost! I have to save my daughter!"

Carter frowned, his face full of disdain.

"You and your daughter are exactly the same. So dramatic."

"She got hit a couple of times. Is it really worth screaming like that?"

"She’s not made of glass. She won't break."

"Besides, she should feel lucky to marry me. Plenty of women are begging to be in her position. I don't need her."

My leg was a bloody, mangled mess. It was turning blue, completely numb.

Yet, he thought I was just acting.

My ballet coach couldn't stand it either. She stepped up and pointed a finger at him.

"You call yourself her boyfriend? Instead of helping her, you're coddling another woman! You're a disgusting piece of trash!"

"Do you have any idea how heavy that chandelier is? Falling from that height, her bones are definitely shattered!"

"Instead of taking her to the hospital, you're standing there making snide remarks!"

"If it weren't for this sick drama, she would have won the competition today and fulfilled her dream!"

Hearing this, Carter froze slightly. A rare flash of hesitation crossed his face.

But before he could speak, Chloe whimpered in his arms.

"Elena is so lucky. Everyone cares about her and defends her, while everyone just hates me."

"Go save her, Carter. Don't worry about me. I don't want you getting blamed because of me."

"I know I'm nothing compared to a talented ballerina. Her life is obviously much more valuable than mine."

Carter’s heart melted. He frowned with pity, gently patting her back to comfort her.

Then, he glared at Coach Margaret with absolute hatred.

"Shut up! It's none of your business!"

"Let me tell you, Elena Sterling brought this on herself! I've pampered her and paid for her lifestyle for years. What's wrong with her doing me a small favor now?"

"I'm not asking for her life! So what if her leg is broken? Who knows if she only dances to seduce other men anyway!"

His gentle mask ripped off, revealing the ugly beast underneath.

His cruel words poured over me like ice water, tearing my heart to shreds.

Tears streamed down my face as I stared at him.

Actually, I had known about him and Chloe for a while.

Ever since Chloe returned to the country, Carter came home less and less.

One day, I even found a lipstick in his pocket that wasn't mine.

At the time, I lied to myself. I thought it was just a mistake.

After all, we had been together for eight years and were about to get married.

But today, I finally woke up.

In Carter’s heart, I would never compare to his first love.

I was just a toy to keep him entertained when he was bored. He would play with me when he wanted, and throw me away when he didn't.

All the love and devotion I gave him over the years meant absolutely nothing to him.

The thug swung the wooden bat down on my back again.

I couldn't take it anymore and coughed up a mouthful of blood.