Chapter 2

My hand slowly curled into a fist, right as the doctor walked in.

The doctor said, "Ms. Linwood, you've almost fully recovered from the accident. All the paperwork's done, so you can leave the hospital today."

I took the discharge papers from the doctor, and Samuel's impatient voice rang out from my phone.

He snapped, "An accident? Vivian, you even got someone to help you fake it just to cover your two-week disappearance? You really do amaze me. You've got an hour before five—get back here. We need to talk."

With that, Samuel hung up abruptly.

A wave of hopelessness washed over me—after everything that had happened, Samuel still believed I was just playing games.

But some of my things were still at our place. Since we'd broken off the engagement, it was time I went back, picked up what was mine, and walked out for good.

As I pushed open the door, I caught Samuel lounging on the couch, his fingers tracing Emily's cheek with an intimacy that made my skin crawl.

Startled by the sound, Samuel froze mid-air, then hurriedly snatched his hand back, shot me a quick look, and started fumbling for an excuse.

He said, "Emily said she got something in her eye, so I was just helping her out."

Before I could reply, Emily flicked her hair with a playful smirk and shot me a look.

She said, "Vivian, Samuel already explained what I've been through. My ex-husband is terrifying. I really don't want to be back in the hospital again. Sorry for the trouble—hope you don't mind if I crash here for a few days."

Crash? Fancy way of saying she wanted to scout the place early.

I barely reacted, my expression unchanged, and walked straight inside without a word.

Emily sized me up and continued, "Vivian, Samuel said you got in a car accident and were just at the hospital. But honestly, you look totally fine to me. Why act like it's such a big deal? You wouldn't believe how concerned Samuel was."

Her words, all sweet on the surface but edged with shade, slid right into my ears.

I knew she was only saying all this for Samuel's benefit.

The crash left me with wounds no one could see. Aside from my washed-out face, I looked just like everyone else.

But no one knew how close I'd come to death—or how brutal those days had really been.

Samuel's brows shot up at Emily's words. He glanced my way and, in that commanding tone of his, made it crystal clear that he wouldn't take no for an answer.

He demanded, "Clear out your room and hand it over to Emily. She just had surgery and needs a comfortable spot—your room gets such great sunlight, it's exactly what she needs."

So this was what he called me here for—to throw me out of my own room?

But since we were done anyway, maybe it was time I packed up and moved on.

If this was how he wanted it, let Emily have it. Not like I would be sticking around.

This time, instead of blowing up like I usually would, I simply nodded and replied calmly, "Alright."

Samuel was caught off guard by my unexpected composure, but he didn't press any further.

As I was packing my things, Emily called out from the hallway.

She said, "Samuel, isn't this just a little too much? Are you really making Vivian move out for me?"

"You just had surgery—you need to rest. Don't worry about her, she can share my room," Samuel replied.

His tone made it painfully clear he was totally on Emily's side, all protective and tender.

He was blind to my weakness, never once noticing the pain I was in.

Truth was, I had really loved Samuel. Now, only a bitter smile remained as I buried the sting in my chest and packed faster, determined not to show it.

My assistant messaged me—the car was out front, ready to go.

Keeping my face blank, I locked my phone, grabbed my suitcase, and walked out without looking back.

Emily smirked in triumph. She said, "Vivian, sorry to put you through all this."

I glanced at her and said flatly, "Don't be sorry. Samuel loves you. This room was yours from the very start."