Chapter 4

Later, I realized why. His first love, Chloe, had come back.

He began staying out late.

His excuses were always the same.

"I have to work overtime tonight. Go to sleep first."

"A sudden business trip came up. I'll be gone for a few days."

"I have to entertain a client. Don't wait up."

Eventually, he stopped texting entirely and just didn't come home.

He stopped picking me up from the studio.

He stopped praising my dancing.

The passenger seat of his car, which used to be mine, now belonged to Chloe.

I started finding things in his car that weren't mine.

Lipsticks, necklaces, stockings, and even sexy lingerie.

But I kept brainwashing myself.

I told myself he was just being a gentleman, driving Chloe home. I told myself Carter loved me and would never betray me.

I even started doubting my own skills, thinking maybe my dancing wasn't good enough to ease his stress anymore.

So, I locked myself in the studio, practicing like crazy.

I even forgot to eat.

I thought if I became the absolute best, Carter would look at me again.

Finally, I got the chance to perform on the international stage at the Bernice Ballet Competition.

And Carter actually came to watch.

My heart fluttered with joy. I wanted to scream with happiness.

But I never expected his presence would drag me from heaven to hell, ruining the most important moment of my life.

I shuddered and woke up from the nightmare, my clothes soaked in cold sweat.

The sharp smell of disinfectant made me realize I was in a hospital.

I looked around. The massive private room was completely empty.

A wave of intense anxiety washed over me.

I had foolishly hoped that when Carter saw me pass out, he would stay by my side out of guilt or pity.

But I had overestimated my worth. I was just a disposable toy to him.

Looking at my bandaged hands and my leg in a heavy cast, my heart clenched in pain.

I struggled to press the call button to summon the nurse.

I asked for a formal medical forensics report of my injuries and begged the nurse to call Leo.

When Leo heard what happened, he lost his mind.

"Damn him! How dare he touch my sister! I'll make his life a living hell!"

He booked the earliest flight back.

And mobilized all his connections in both the corporate and legal worlds.

The moment Leo saw me in the hospital bed, his eyes turned red.

This usually cold, ruthless businessman couldn't hold back his tears.

He gently brushed the hair away from my face and whispered, "I'm back, Elena. Don't be scared. I'm here now. No one will ever hurt you again."

He immediately filed a police report.

He brought in the top defense attorneys in the country, handed them my forensics report, and said coldly:

"Make sure Carter Vance rots in prison for the rest of his life. And find a way to pile charges on that bitch, Chloe Jenkins!"

Hearing this, I weakly tugged at Leo's sleeve.

"Leo, actually, Carter..."

Before I could finish, the hospital door was violently kicked open.

Carter walked in, his face twisted with rage.

"Elena Sterling! You actually filed a police report over a minor injury?! You just want to ruin my life, don't you?!"

"Chloe did nothing wrong! Why did you drag her into this?!"

He turned to Chloe, who was shrinking behind him, and comforted her softly, "Don't worry, babe. I'll get you justice."

Looking at them protecting each other, I felt a wave of cold amusement.

I was lying here half-paralyzed, yet he didn't even look at my injuries. His eyes were only on Chloe.

Suppressing the ache in my chest, I rasped out, "I didn't want to hurt you, Carter."

"Look at me. I'm really hurt. I'm not acting."

"It hurts so much."

I was still testing him. One last time.

I wanted to see if our past meant anything. If he apologized right now, I might have forgiven him.

I might have still married him.

But he didn't care at all.