Chapter 2
Selena had barely opened her mouth when William’s expression hardened. He yanked her to her feet without a shred of gentleness.
“Stop pretending,” his voice was icy, slicing through the air. “Alice fell from the fifth floor. You only tumbled down from the second.”
“Get up. We’re going to the hospital so you can apologize.”
He dragged her toward the door, ignoring the blood trickling from her forehead and the reopened gash on her knee. Each step sent searing pain up her leg.
Shoved into the car, Selena sat in silence the entire ride. Her gaze stayed fixed on the blur of scenery rushing past, her mind repeating one thought—
Just a little longer.
Just a little longer, and she would be free.
In the hospital room, Alice was propped weakly against the headboard, her face pale, a bandage wrapped around her wrist.
The moment she saw Selena, Alice flinched, her eyes instantly rimmed in red.
“William…” she whispered, trembling like a startled fawn. “I—I don’t want to see her…”
William moved to her side at once, taking her hand with tender reassurance.
“Don’t be afraid. I’m here. No one will hurt you.”
Then he turned, his gaze sharp as steel toward Selena.
“What are you standing there for? Apologize.”
Selena’s face was tired but calm.
She looked straight at Alice and asked softly, “Miss White, when you fell from the window ledge… was it really me who pushed you?”
Alice’s lashes quivered. Tears spilled down her cheeks.
“If Selena doesn’t want to apologize, that’s fine. I never meant to cause you trouble.”
Her voice was thick with wounded innocence.
“I know William’s been with me these days—you have every right to resent me. But you two are just a contractual couple. He doesn’t love you. If it weren’t for my family background, he wouldn’t even belong to you…”
Her crying grew louder, and William’s expression grew darker with every word.
“Anna!” he snapped. “I told you to apologize, not provoke her. Will you or won’t you?”
Selena closed her eyes briefly.
She knew Alice was framing her.
But… she was leaving soon.
She couldn’t risk the cooperation between their families falling apart—without that, she wouldn’t get the thirty million, nor her freedom.
“…I’m sorry,” she said quietly. “It was my fault.”
She turned to leave.
“Stop.” William’s voice was cold. “If you pushed her, then you’ll stay and look after her until she’s discharged.”
Her fingers curled slightly, but in the end, she nodded. “Alright.”
In the days that followed, Selena remained in Alice’s hospital room without a break.
William all but moved into the hospital himself, abandoning all company matters to personally feed Alice porridge, wipe her hands, soothe her to sleep…
Things he had never done for Selena.
Yet Selena never showed jealousy. She simply tended to Alice quietly, her expression serene, as though none of it concerned her.
The nurses whispered among themselves.
“My God, I’ve never seen a wife so generous.”
“You don’t understand,” another sighed. “This is the highest form of love—she loves William so much she’s willing to care for the woman he adores, just for a chance to be noticed. Poor thing…”
Their words happened to reach William’s ears as he passed by.
He paused, his gaze drawn—almost against his will—to the slender figure inside the room.
Selena was bent over, carefully peeling an apple, her profile calm and obedient.
For some reason, a strange flicker stirred in his chest.
When Alice was discharged, William told Selena flatly, “I’m taking her on a trip for the next few days. Don’t contact me unless it’s important.”
Selena simply nodded. “Alright.”
Watching him walk away hand in hand with Alice, she felt… relieved.
Finally, she wouldn’t have to face them.
Back home, she began packing her luggage, preparing for her departure.
A few days later, she came across Alice’s social media posts.
William had taken her to the Maldives. At an auction, he lit sky lanterns for her and spent lavishly to buy the jewelry she loved…
Selena glanced once, then scrolled past.
She didn’t care.
She had never cared.