Chapter 2

I dragged my heavy steps back to the house. Julian's car was already parked in the driveway.

My belongings had been bundled up and thrown onto the porch, including the bedsheet I had just been lying on.

In the corner, the plush teddy bear my mother had given me had rolled into a puddle of dirty water, half its face soaked through.

I knelt down, picked it up, and clutched it to my chest.

Inside, Vivian sat in the center of the sofa, her legs resting across Julian's lap.

Julian glanced up, his brow furrowing deep the second he saw me.

"Didn't I tell you to clean the house?"

"Where the hell have you been?"

I looked at him and asked in a low voice,

"Why did you throw my things out?"

Julian turned to glance at Vivian's expression.

"Vivian doesn't want to live under the same roof as the person who almost killed her."

I stood frozen, an overwhelming wave of exhaustion sweeping over me.

Just because Julian had chosen to catch me a year ago during that freak accident, everyone branded me as the monster who put Vivian into a coma.

Even though I hadn't pushed her. I hadn't done anything.

Julian stood up. Seeing my deathly pale face, a flicker of hesitation crossed his eyes.

"Just apologize to Vivian."

"If she forgives you, we'll let this go."

"Your family's estate is seized anyway. It's not like you have anywhere else to go."

Another apology.

I had lost count of how many times I had apologized over the past year.

When Vivian first fell into the coma, Julian had forced me to kneel by her bed every single day.

Her family cornered me outside her room, screaming that I should pay with my life.

I had said I'm sorry so many times the words had lost all meaning.

I walked forward, meeting Vivian's smug, condescending gaze.

"I'm sorry."

Vivian tilted her head up and offered a sickeningly sweet smile.

"It's fine."

"Since Julian says you have nowhere to go, you can stay."

I glanced at Julian. The doctor's words echoed in my ears.

Even if I told him, would he even care?

Julian stepped forward, reaching out to grab the soggy bear from my arms.

"Why did you bring this trash back inside?"

"You're tracking dirt everywhere."

I quickly pulled my hands behind my back, terrified he would see the dark bruises on my arms.

Catching nothing but air, Julian scowled.

"If you want to keep it, take it to your room. Don't leave it out here."

I walked upstairs in silence, Julian's tender, doting voice drifting from behind me.

I couldn't help but look back, punishing myself as I watched them cuddle close.

"What do you want for dinner?"

"Seafood?"

Vivian nodded, looping her arm around his.

I pressed a hand against my chest, feeling the dull ache throbbing deep inside.

At dinner, Julian continuously loaded Vivian's plate with food.

I held my bowl, quietly eating plain rice.

Seeing this, Julian picked up a piece of spicy crab and placed it in my bowl.

A brief warmth sparked in my chest, but remembering the oncologist's strict warnings against spicy seafood, I quietly nudged it aside with my fork.

Julian slammed his fork onto the table with a loud clatter.

"What's with the attitude now, Claire?"

I looked up, dazed.

Then I realized he was glaring at the untouched crab.

My doctor had strictly forbidden shellfish and spicy food.

I shook my head, feeling helpless.

"Sorry. I don't have much of an appetite."

I set my fork down and headed upstairs.

That night, Julian banged on my door.

He stood in the hallway, his face stormier than I had ever seen.

Vivian was clinging to his chest, her eyes red, sniffling as if she had just wept her heart out.

My grip on the doorknob tightened.

"Did you steal Vivian's necklace?"