Chapter 4

When I got back to our new home, the living room was still exactly as it had been the night before.

White roses were in the vase, and boxes of wedding chocolates were scattered across the coffee table.

The pink wallpaper in the master bedroom was so bright it made my eyes ache.

I didn't go into the bedroom. I went straight to the study.

On the top shelf of the cabinet was a metal box containing backup notarized documents, my vaccination record, and a USB drive with scans from my previous business trips.

I climbed onto a chair to reach for it, but before I could even touch the box, I heard footsteps outside the door.

Ryan pushed the door open and walked in.

Chloe stood behind him, her eyes swollen, looking like she'd been through hell.

Ryan's face darkened when he saw the suitcase at my feet.

"You're really going to headquarters?" he asked.

I stepped down from the chair, clutching the metal box to my chest.

"Move," I said.

He blocked the doorway.

"Summer, haven't you caused enough trouble already?" he asked.

I put the metal box into an inner compartment of my suitcase.

"From start to finish, you two are the ones causing all the drama," I said.

Chloe sobbed, "Summer, I already apologized. Why do you still have to rat us out to the company? If I get punished, how am I supposed to show my face after that?"

I looked at her.

"Did you ever think about what would happen to me after you withdrew my application?" I asked.

She was speechless.

Ryan snapped, "She's a girl. How could she possibly know all the company rules? The real problem is you. You knew she didn't get it, but you still let us know your password."

I almost laughed in disbelief at his words.

"So now it's the victim's fault, huh?" I shot back.

Ryan rubbed his forehead. "Why do you always have to make things sound so harsh?" he asked. "I want you to stay with me.

"We were about to get married, and then you suddenly decided to take a three-year posting abroad. Did you ever think about me?"

"Did you ever think about me when you canceled the appointment?" I asked.

He fell silent.

Chloe quickly tugged at his sleeve.

"Ryan, don't argue with her," she said. "She wants everyone to coddle her right now."

I grabbed my suitcase and headed for the door.

Ryan suddenly seized my wrist.

His grip was strong.

"You're not going anywhere today," he ordered.

I winced in pain.

"Let go of me," I said.

"Call the company and tell them you withdrew your application yourself."

"Keep dreaming."

Ryan's gaze turned icy, bit by bit.

"Summer, don't push me."

I looked up at him.

"Ryan, we're done," I said. "I'll get a lawyer to sort out the money I spent on renovations and the down payment. And I'll report what happened with the company account to the police."

He looked at me like I'd told him a joke.

"Seriously? You're gonna call the cops on me?"

"Yes."

That one word was the last straw for him.

Ryan snatched the metal box with my documents, and in the same motion, swiped my asthma inhaler from my bag.

My face instantly drained of color. "Give me my inhaler."

Ryan glanced at the inhaler in his hand and gave a mocking laugh. "Every time things don't go your way, you play the sick card to get your way. Aren't you tired of that?"

I reached out to snatch it back.

He stepped back and shoved me into the storage room next to the study.