Chapter 2
When Leah woke up again, she found Alexander holding her hand, sleeping quietly by her side.
Over the following days, he stayed with her at the hospital, just like he used to—cleaning her wounds and making meals for her.
It was as if all the pain and deceit had been nothing but an illusion.
However, that illusion was shattered the day she was discharged from the hospital, when she saw Rachel sitting in the passenger seat.
Alexander introduced her without hesitation, "Leah, this is Rachel, the daughter of my mother's best friend. She just got back from studying abroad and is now my secretary."
Leah's heart jolted in pain.
Before she could respond, Rachel put on a pitiful look and said, "Leah, I get car sick in the back seat, so I'm in the front. You don't mind, right?"
Her innocent eyes, however, held a clear challenge.
Meeting her gaze, Leah shot back harshly. "And what if I do mind?"
Rachel's smile froze, as if she hadn't expected such a reply.
She immediately put on her best pitiful act, her eyes glistening with tears. "Leah, do you hate me? Maybe I should just get out."
However, the next second, as Rachel moved closer to Leah, she suddenly twisted her ankle and crashed to the ground, her flawless skin instantly scraped raw and streaked with blood.
Seeing this, Alexander rushed over, shoving Leah aside and scooping Rachel into his arms.
He glared at Leah, his eyes filled with strong anger.
He said, "Leah, are you out of your mind? It's just a damn seat. Do you really need to overreact?"
Leah's breath caught. She couldn't help but remember that back then, that spot beside him was always hers.
Even if a female business partner had to sit there, he would frown and say, "Sorry, but the front seat is for my wife. Please move to the back."
From then on, no one in their circle doubted his fierce love for Leah.
However, now, to him, it was just a damn front seat.
All the blatant taunts Rachel threw at her—Alexander acted like he couldn't see a thing.
Leah held back her tears and let out a bitter laugh.
She understood it. She meant nothing to him once the lies were all out.
Even so, her heart still twisted painfully when he turned away without a second thought, holding Rachel close.
*****
When Leah got home, her eyes were bloodshot.
The warmth and sweetness that had once filled every corner now just felt painfully suffocating.
She was packing up in her room when the door suddenly opened.
Alexander, looking somber, instantly grew flustered when he saw her packing. "Leah, what are you doing?"
He walked over in long strides, pulled her into his arms, and softly coaxed her.
He said, "I was just too emotional, and Rachel's always been a bit of a princess. I already talked to her, and I promise she won't ever touch the front seat again.
"So, please, don't be mad, okay?"
He softened, trying to win her over, but Leah felt nothing but coldness.
She had no intention of playing along with his act. With a chill in her voice, she pushed him away and said, "I'm not mad. I'm just sorting things out."
Alexander smiled as he wrapped his arms around her from behind.
Then he pulled a pearl bracelet from his pocket and gently fastened it around her wrist.
He said, "I picked this out just for you. Consider it my apology."
His words slid over her ear, low and dangerously seductive.
However, soon after, Rachel posted on her Instagram. [The difference between a genuine piece and a knockoff.]
One photo showed a luxury necklace, while the pearl bracelet on Leah's wrist had "free" blatantly stamped right next to it.
A sharp bitterness spread through her chest.
It turned out that the carefully prepared gift he gave her was nothing more than someone else's unwanted freebie.
Holding back the sting in her chest, she tossed the bracelet into the trash.
*****
Early the next morning, Leah came downstairs and found Alexander already in the kitchen, whipping up breakfast like it was second nature.
He said, "Leah, come on, breakfast is ready. We need to get going soon."
Leah frowned. "Where are we going?"
"We're going hiking. It's the company team building trip we planned long ago. Did you forget?" Alexander replied.
That was when Leah finally noticed all the hiking gear piled up by the door.
Every time they had a team-building trip, Alexander would drag Leah along, joking, "If my wife doesn't come, people will think I'm getting a divorce."
She would always laugh as she packed up food and supplies for everyone.
It just felt ridiculously ironic.
She slowly picked up her breakfast and said coldly, "I don't want to go."
Alexander said, "No way. You just got out of the hospital. You need to get out and walk around. It'll help you recover.
"Didn't you always say you wanted to go hiking in the snow? Now's the perfect time to get some fresh air and clear your head."
Alexander didn't bother asking for her opinion. He just bundled her straight into the car.
However, as soon as they got to the base of the mountain, Leah saw Rachel rocking the exact same outfit as Alexander. She was playing the gracious hostess, handing out gear and food to everyone.
With Rachel flaunting her dominance right in front of everyone, Leah felt humiliated, like a fool.
Meanwhile, Alexander was holding her hand, but his eyes were locked on Rachel.
A sharp pain spread through Leah's heart.
She shook off Alexander's hand, slipped past the group, and went up the mountain on her own.
By the time she made it to the summit, she couldn't help overhearing the gossipy whispers.
"Did you see that? Mr. Rivers brought his wife along, yet he's in couple gear with Rachel."
"I know, right? Rachel acts like the boss's wife already."
"Word is, they've been childhood sweethearts ever since they were kids. Rachel was always meant to be his wife, but somehow, Leah just got luckier."
"Believe it or not, Mr. Rivers is soon getting a divorce."
The biting whispers swirled around her, relentless and suffocating.
Leah clenched her fists, forcing herself to bear the growing ache in her chest.
Just as she was about to turn away, Rachel strutted over, her face lit up with smug satisfaction.
She said, "Leah, isn't the snow just beautiful?
"I only mentioned once that I liked snowy days, and Alex moved the whole team-building trip from spring to winter just for me.
"After all, this is the place where we shared our first kiss and sex."
Leah's breath caught, and in that instant, she felt a sharp pain in her heart.
It turned out this whole "getaway" was never about her; it was merely a chance for Alexander to bring Rachel back to their old spots.
She felt like a joke, merely a backdrop to their story.
The cold wind hit Leah's face, making her eyes water immediately.
Gripping her palm tightly, she looked at Rachel and said coolly, "If you think you can keep him, then good luck. I really hope you get what you deserve."
Leah turned to leave, while Rachel stood there, burning with humiliation.
Just as Rachel was about to confront Leah, a sudden gust of wind whipped across the mountaintop.
Out of nowhere, a deafening boom shattered the silence. In a heartbeat, a wall of snow roared down from above, sweeping the place into chaos.
As the avalanche came crashing down, Leah saw Alexander, clad in black—he didn't even glance her way, just bolted straight for Rachel.
Leah was buried beneath the thick snow.
That was the moment her heart, once burning with love, finally shattered into a million icy pieces.