Chapter 5

As he spoke, Jack reached out to grab me.

I stepped back, pulling away before he could touch me.

His hand hung awkwardly in the air, his face falling as he realized I was avoiding him.

I looked at the two of them—Jack with that classic "what can I do" face, Wendy rocking her signature "I'm so innocent" look. Seriously, could they be any more perfect for each other?

I chuckled under my breath, my eyes flicking from Jack to Wendy's oh-so-innocent act.

"No need. Captain Carter, you should just focus on your delicate little Wendy. She's so weak—she might just fall apart if you're not there," I said, voice icy.

I put extra emphasis on "little Wendy," not even trying to hide the mockery in my tone.

"As for me?" I paused. Meeting Jack's suddenly sharp gaze, I continued, every word crisp and clear, "I don't need your concern. Save it for someone who actually wants it."

With that, I didn't spare them another glance. I turned and walked out, shoulders squared, straight into the flood of cops and medics pouring into the factory.

Behind me, Jack's voice rang out, low and angry. "Sophia, why are you making a scene?"

Wendy, putting on her usual act, spoke up with fake concern, "Jack, let Sophia calm down for a while..."

And the livestream chat was still flooding my sight, relentless as ever.

[Whoa, Sophia's savage! She totally clapped back!]

[Check out Jack! His face is turning beet red! Totally deserved!]

[It's kicking off! The build-up to the "payback time for the guy trying to win his ex-back" part!]

[Can't wait for the next chapter! Hope those two get wrecked!]

The ambulance's siren shattered the silence of the suburbs. I sat in the back, letting the nurse fuss over the scrapes on my wrists and cheek, barely paying attention.

The antiseptic burned against my skin, but that sharp sting was nothing compared to the cold, barren ache in my heart.

Jack wouldn't take no for an answer—he made sure both Wendy and I were headed to the hospital for a full workup.

He helped Wendy into another ambulance, and through the window, I watched him fuss over her, bending close to catch every word—his tenderness practically blinding.

The livestream chat was still going wild, like a never-ending circus playing out right in front of my eyes.

[This scumbag is so biased it's hilarious.]

[Wendy's acting could win an Oscar. Seriously, she looks like she'd collapse if you so much as breathed on her.]

[Just waiting for Sophia to go all out and show us what she's got!]

I closed my eyes, blocking out the barrage of messages.

This wasn't the time to sit back and watch the show. I needed to keep my cool and figure out my next move.

The endless talk about my "past life" was like a never-ending nightmare. It was a constant reminder that one wrong move could spell my complete downfall.

Wendy's scheming and Jack's favoritism would send me straight to hell. This time, I wasn't about to let that happen again.

The hospital reeked of disinfectant. After getting checked out, I was told I only had some minor scrapes and was just a little shaken—nothing serious.

Wendy, meanwhile, was "so traumatized" she had to be kept in for observation.

Jack was bending over backwards for Wendy, sorting out all her paperwork and making sure she got a private room, acting like she was the one who'd barely escaped from a den of kidnappers.

I sat by myself on a hallway bench, gazing out at the deep night beyond the window.

"Sophia." Jack's voice suddenly sounded behind me, weary and edged with a hint of irritation.

However, I didn't turn around.

He sat down next to me, not too close, not too far—the kind of distance you'd expect from a husband, but it felt cold as ice.

"I know today was hard on you," he said quietly.

He started in with that same old condescending tone, like he was doing me a favor. "But with everything that happened, you know Wendy has always been so delicate, both in health and personality.

"Honestly, I was scared she'd get hurt. You're not like her. You've always been strong, and..." He paused, searching for the right words. "And as my wife, you should have a deeper understanding of what I'm going through."

I almost laughed out loud.

Was I supposed to understand?

Just because I was his wife, was I doomed to be sacrificed? Was I supposed to face everything alone and accept that he'd sacrifice me without hesitation?