Chapter 2

Sienna's words nearly made me cry out.

But I covered my mouth and stared intently at Vincent's face.

Even at this moment, I still hoped he would refuse.

That he would maintain one last shred of decency for the sake of our three-year relationship.

But on Vincent's face, I saw shock and panic, but no anger or condemnation.

In that instant, I already understood Vincent's choice.

My heart, which had been raised high, fell back to its place. I turned and walked outside.

Like a soulless corpse.

What kept appearing in my mind were only scenes from three years ago.

Actually, I had forgotten most of the memories from those three days of captivity.

The doctor said my body had abandoned some memories for self-protection.

But what I dreamed of every night was only the scene of Vincent kicking open the iron door and rescuing me.

Behind him was the sunlight I hadn't seen in three days. Vincent in his suit walked toward me step by step, his eyes full of worry and heartache.

Then he knelt down and held me in his arms.

The last words I heard before losing consciousness were his trembling voice.

"It's okay now, Elara."

"It's okay now..."

Later, when Vincent proposed to me, videos of my abuse were all over the internet. Everyone avoided me.

Only he walked against the crowd and knelt before me.

He said, Elara, marry me. I will never let you suffer for the rest of your life.

He said, Elara, trust me. I'll take good care of you forever.

But in the end.

Ethan lied to me.

And so did he.

By the time I got home, it was already dawn.

Vincent still hadn't returned.

My unanswered messages had no follow-up.

I sat on the bed, staring blankly at the wedding photo hanging on the wall.

In the photo, I was skin and bones with vacant eyes, but Vincent looked at me as if I were a rare treasure.

These three years, Vincent had indeed taken good care of me.

He helped me, someone who only dared hide at home, to willingly go out and see people.

But what I thought was salvation was actually an even deeper abyss...

My phone vibrated again. Another message from Vincent.

[Elara, I'm sorry, I can't make it back tonight. When you wake up tomorrow, I promise I'll make it up to you.]

Before I could react, another message appeared.

From Sienna.

[Elara, I know you were outside just now. I saw you.]

[How does it feel watching your husband sitting with me, laughing and talking?]

[I could steal one person from you, and I can steal the last one too.]

[Elara, in the end, everything you have belongs to me.]

Along with Sienna's message came a photo.

A hotel's pure white bed. On the floor beside it was Vincent's jacket.

My heart suddenly seized with sharp pain.

Sienna hated me. I didn't know the reason before.

But now, I didn't want to know anymore.

I closed my eyes as tears slid down from the corners. I pulled at the corners of my mouth in a bitter smile.

Three years ago, Mom and Dad abandoned me because of my reputation.

I didn't cling to them and left.

Three years later, Vincent cheated with someone else.

I wouldn't cling to him either.

Things that don't belong to me—I don't want them anymore.

I got up, took down the wedding photo from the wall, viciously cut it to pieces with scissors, then threw it in the trash can by the door.

I carefully took screenshots of all the messages Sienna sent me and saved them to my photo album.

Leaving was certain.

But I couldn't just leave like this.