Chapter 2

He remembered. I was sure he remembered all that.

I could still picture that day. I jumped in front of Victor when that thug came at him with a knife, not even hesitating. The blade missed my heart by barely half an inch.

I'd spent three days out cold in the hospital, and Victor never left my side, crying and swearing he'd love me for the rest of his life.

But to him, it never really meant anything.

Or maybe, in his eyes, that scar was just his free pass to do whatever he wanted, knowing I'd always let it slide.

The doctor had warned me that getting too emotional could trigger pain from my old wound. I forced my head back, trying to swallow the bitterness, but my chest was so tight that I could barely breathe.

Just then, Victor called. I could hear blaring rock music in the background.

"Cheryl, the guys are throwing me a party to celebrate me finally getting out of the single life. Go to bed early. Don't wait up for me," Victor said.

I paused for a couple of seconds.

"Okay," I replied.

At one in the morning, I was still tossing and turning, unable to sleep. I opened my social media feed.

Ethan had just posted a bunch of photos with the caption: [Congrats to my best bro for finally getting off the market!]

Right in the middle of the photo grid, Melissa was giggling, holding a sparkly bag, practically clinging to Victor, while his hand rested securely on her waist.

The comments section blew up.

[Whoa, isn't that Starry Night? Victor really splurged!]

[They look perfect together, too bad though.]

[Careful, Victor. Don't let Cheryl catch you.]

Victor jumped right into the comments himself.

Victor: [Cheryl's not the jealous type. If she really wants to make a scene over something this trivial, then we might as well call off the wedding.]

I locked my phone, my expression unreadable.

He was sure I wouldn't do anything, just like he counted on me swallowing it when he sold our house, when he bought Melissa that insanely expensive designer bag, and every time he brushed off his flirting with, "We're just friends."

But this time, the scar in my heart, the one that used to ache whenever I thought about it, felt numb.

I wasn't going to take it anymore.

I went to the hospital for my follow-up on my own.

"How many times have I told you? Rainy days always make your wound hurt, and you need someone with you to make sure you get your meds on time," the doctor said.

I listened to the doctor's helpless nagging and forced a smile.

"I'm fine on my own," I said.

Not long after leaving the hospital, the rain started coming down in buckets.

I ducked into a dessert shop on the corner. When I glanced over, I saw Victor grinning ear to ear, holding up a spoonful of cake, and Melissa leaned in, letting him feed her a bite.

That rare designer bag was hanging on her arm, sparkling under the lights.

And the watch on her wrist was the one Victor claimed was a gift for some big client just last week.

With a sarcastic smile, I rushed home through the pouring rain.

When Victor got home, I had just finished my shower, my hair still dripping wet.

He stopped in his tracks when he saw me, looking a little surprised.

"What happened to you? You look like a drowned rat," he said.

"I went to the hospital," I replied.

Victor's face froze up.

"Why did you go to the hospital today?" he asked.

I let out a chuckle.

"I've told you a million times," I said.

Victor raked his hand through his hair, looking irritated.

"I've got a lot going on lately, alright? I forgot. You're healed up anyway. Skipping a check-up isn't gonna kill you," he said.

I stared at him in silence.

"The doctor said if I don't look after it, it might worsen again," I said quietly.

Victor was at a loss for words, just staring at me. When he finally looked up, his eyes narrowed in annoyance.

"Are you seriously bringing up that scar again?" he snapped.

So that was all it was to him—me bringing up my scar just to hold it over his head.

When I didn't say a word, Victor instantly lost his cool.

"Seriously, what's with that stone-cold face again? Yeah, I didn't go with you. Are you really gonna make a big deal out of it?" he snapped.

I shot a glance at his shirt collar and said gently, "You didn't clean off the cream on your collar."

Victor's hand flew up to his collar, but he stopped dead, caught off guard.

"You..." Victor started, but the words caught in his throat.

I took my time, my voice cool and steady. "That watch on Melissa's wrist really suits her."

Victor's face turned a deep shade of red, his finger trembling as he pointed at me.

He shouted, "Are you stalking me? Cheryl, what's wrong with you? She just got back from overseas and can't get used to things here. I'm just helping her settle in. What's the big deal if I spend some time with her?

"She's been on her own her whole life, no family, nobody to lean on. You know how tough that is? I'm all she's got!

"Do you have to make a fuss about everything? What's the point?"

I burst out laughing.

"Isn't that just hilarious? I went to the hospital alone, too, but did you ever care about me?" I shot back, my voice thick with sarcasm.

Victor was practically flushing, scrambling to defend himself.

"She's not you, alright? And it's not like I never worry about you. Do you really expect me to be by your side every single time?" he shot back.