Chapter 2

I gripped my phone and turned to fumble my way out.

But the next second, someone called out from behind me.

It was Ethan.

"Where are you going? The guests are still waiting for you. How can you just leave without telling me?"

I couldn't see his face clearly. I could only identify the direction by his familiar voice.

My whole body trembled uncontrollably.

"I... I'm not feeling well. I want to go home first."

"Not feeling well?"

Ethan's tone instantly turned cold.

"Today is my birthday. As my wife, how can you leave without permission? Come inside with me and greet the senior colleagues."

I instinctively shrank back, resisting strongly.

I couldn't see the wine glasses clearly, couldn't see the faces of the people across from me, and was terrified of dropping the glass and embarrassing myself, being laughed at, being despised by him.

Over all these years, I'd embarrassed myself enough because of my eye condition.

I begged in a low voice, my tone carrying a sob.

"I can't do it. I can't see clearly. I'll mess it up. Please don't force me..."

These words seemed to completely ignite his anger.

Curious glances from nearby guests were already being cast our way, and whispers could faintly be heard.

Ethan felt like I was trampling his dignity underfoot. His grip on my wrist suddenly tightened.

"I said go, so you go. What? Are you refusing to listen to me now?"

During the struggle, someone grabbed Ethan's arm.

"Dr. Bennett, don't be angry. Nora has vision problems, so mistakes are inevitable. Don't hold it against her."

It was Vivian, a new intern nurse at the hospital.

As soon as she finished speaking, she deliberately leaned close to my ear and provoked me in a voice only we could hear.

"Nora, you're so useless. You can't even walk steadily or toast properly."

"You should let go sooner rather than later. Don't hold Dr. Bennett back."

My whole body stiffened.

Not only did Ethan not push her away, he reached up and ruffled her hair, then turned to look at me.

"Look at Vivian---thoughtful and capable. She's so much better than you."

Familiar words, familiar tactics.

I instantly recalled the past.

He was always like this, deliberately being nice to other women in front of me, deliberately saying things to provoke me.

All just to see me get jealous, panicked, crying and begging him not to leave.

To see me become even more dependent on him, more obedient to him, like a dog tied to his side.

In the past, I was afraid he would really abandon me, afraid of falling back into endless darkness.

Every time I would obediently lower my head and beg for mercy, tightly clutching the corner of his clothes, following his every command.

But now, I only found it laughable, and felt a bone-chilling cold.

My heart was already dead. No matter how much he provoked me, it couldn't stir the slightest ripple.

I kept my eyes lowered. I didn't cry, didn't make a scene, and didn't beg for mercy as I usually would.

My composure completely enraged Ethan.

He couldn't stand me ignoring him like this, breaking free from his control.

Irritation instantly swept through his entire body.

He snatched a glass of red wine from a nearby server's tray.

Without allowing any argument, he pinched my chin and forcefully brought the wine glass to my lips.

"Drink it."

I turned my head to dodge, but he roughly gripped my chin and forcibly poured it in.

The harsh alcohol choked into my windpipe. I suddenly coughed violently, my whole body trembling.

Tears streamed down uncontrollably, and even breathing became difficult.

In the chaos, I vaguely felt his fingertips pause slightly, and a trace of extremely faint panic seemed to flash through his eyes.

But that bit of panic wasn't out of heartache---it was just his obsessive possessiveness at work.

He never cared whether I was in pain, only whether I was still obedient enough, still dependent enough on him.

The coughing gradually subsided. I slowly straightened up, with only one thought in my mind---

I need to leave this place.