Chapter 4

"I heard her husband is also a company chairman. Even though he's so busy, he insists on visiting her three times a day and staying with her every night."

I ate the bland hospital cafeteria meal, suddenly realizing that he had never cared for me that way.

Three years ago, an accident occurred in my scientific expedition team and the entire team was buried under an avalanche. Before I became hypothermic, I used my last bit of consciousness to call Nicholas.

Alas, the first sentence he said after the call was to complain that I had disturbed him and Janelle to watch the fireworks.

After being rescued by border soldiers, what I saw was a video Janelle sent me of him kneeling to massage her ankle, which she had accidentally twisted.

I ignored Janelle's flaunting and immediately blocked her.

When I returned, Nicholas stood before me, holding Janelle, whose eyes were red-rimmed.

He ignored my frostbitten skin, dragged me off the bed and forced me to kneel to apologize to Janelle.

He only let go when a passing nurse discovered my wounds had reopened.

When he left with Janelle, his face was gloomy.

"Janelle's health isn't good. Can't you be a little more understanding? If you make her unhappy again, you and your sick mother can get the hell out of the residence."

I returned to the present and finished the rice in the box.

This unappetizing meal would be my last.

On the day I was discharged, I ran into Nicholas and Janelle while doing the paperwork.

I was about to walk around them when Janelle walked over, smiling.

"You're here too, Laura? Nicholas didn't even tell me you were in the hospital! If I'd known, I would've come to visit every day!"

Nicholas said coldly.

"You've got legs, don't you? You could've come and found me."

I lowered my eyes and subconsciously apologized.

"I'm sorry."

A flicker of surprise crossed Nicholas's eyes. He seemed a little disbelieving that I would apologize so easily and his tone softened.

"I'll take you back later."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

After all, since we married, I had practically never ridden in his car because he had promised Janelle that his car was her exclusive ride.

Janelle's smile faltered but quickly recovered and she hugged Nicholas's arm.

"I told you a long time ago to go see Laura, but you insisted on accompanying me to that scientific expedition lecture."

"I'm so sorry, Laura. Nicholas will take you back later."

Nicholas looked about to agree, but then he saw me pull my arm out of Janelle's grip and shake my head.

"No need. I can take a taxi myself."

But Janelle ignored my refusal and forcefully pulled me into the car.

"Laura, don't be shy. Come with us to the lecture. I remember you used to be the leader of a scientific expedition team."

She shoved me into the back seat and slid naturally into the front passenger seat.

Seeing her settled, Nicholas instinctively leaned over to fasten her seatbelt.

In the past, seeing him so close to Janelle would have made me rage. But now, faced with my calm reaction, Nicholas actually felt a twinge of displeasure.

I followed them to the venue. As we were about to sit down, I instinctively chose the seat next to Nicholas, but Janelle bit her lip and remained standing.

"Laura, I'm so sorry, I only bought two consecutive tickets. The other one is in the back row."

"You sit with Nicholas. I'll go sit back there."

She moved to leave, but Nicholas grabbed her arm.