Chapter 2

Richard truly kept his word to protect me.

Those so-called relatives got desperate and kidnapped both Richard and me.

During our escape, I got a cut on my calf. To make things worse, I sprained my ankle.

Richard carried me on his back. I begged him to put me down, since those people were after me.

But Richard refused. He said, "You're my wife. If we die, we die together."

Thankfully, we were saved.

Only then did I realize Richard had also been cut on the calf. He'd carried me out anyway, bleeding and injured.

From then on, he had an ugly scar on his leg, one that would never fade.

I knew nothing about business, so I was happy to be the woman behind Richard, never holding him back.

Richard only got more successful, going from a scrawny kid to a powerful CEO.

*****

I ran a fever. Half-conscious, I called Richard.

He picked up, and his voice came through. "Do you know what you did wrong? Forget it. Just apologize to Emily. She's been scared of you these days. If she forgives you, I'll come home."

I couldn't take in a word he was saying. I was burning up and barely able to speak. "I have a fever. Can you come home and take me to the hospital?"

Richard snorted in annoyance, sounding disappointed. "Charlotte, I can't believe you've become such a liar. Why don't you say you're dying?"

My hand dropped helplessly.

Emily spoke up. "Mr. Bennett, maybe you should go check on her. I'll be fine alone."

My vision blurred. The last thing I heard before blacking out was Richard's voice.

"She's faking it to trick me home," he said. "I'm staying here with you."

I didn't hear anything else. I felt burning hot, then freezing cold.

*****

When I came to, I was in bed. Richard was sitting beside me, looking at me.

He held a book in his hand. When he saw I was awake, he gently touched my forehead.

"The fever's gone," he said, letting out a relieved breath.

He then gave me a reproachful look. "Don't get caught in the rain again. If you do, take medicine as soon as you get home. Otherwise, you'll only end up hurting yourself."

Listening to Richard ramble on, I felt nothing but sweetness, no irritation at all.

It felt so good to be cared for, especially by the person I loved.

I hadn't seen Richard since he started chasing the project in Riverdale half a year ago.

I didn't dare disturb him, not when he was so busy.

So now, I couldn't stop staring at him.

His short hair was soft, and sunlight fell over him, making him look unreal.

Richard stirred a bowl of soup slowly. Then he scooped up a spoonful, blew on it gently, and held it up to my lips.

Tears streamed down my face. He asked in confusion, "What's wrong?"

I wiped my tears away and said nothing.

The Richard in front of me had a full, youthful face and clear eyes full of love for me.

This was Richard from ten years ago.

Right after our families' tragedies, he'd cut off his curly hair.

This was a dream. I wanted to stay lost in this fantasy moment.

But fate wouldn't grant me that. Richard's figure slowly faded, and my vision darkened.

When I woke up again, I was still in that cold, empty house.

I slowly pulled myself off the floor, forced myself to find a few fever pills, and swallowed them dry.

Once I had a bit more strength, I pulled out my phone. As expected, there wasn't a single message.

After a short hesitation, I called my lawyer. "Lucas, please draw up divorce papers. Yeah, I want a divorce from Richard."

*****

I took the freshly printed divorce papers to the Hayes Group headquarters.

Over the past ten years, he'd grown my family's business into something big.

I hadn't been to the office in so long that the receptionist didn't even recognize me.

The receptionist flashed a professional smile and asked if I had an appointment.

I shook my head.

"I'm sorry, miss," the receptionist said. "Mr. Bennett's schedule is fully booked. Without an appointment, I can't let you see him."

I almost laughed. I needed an appointment to see my husband now.

Along with the ridiculousness came a sharp, bitter sadness.

I said calmly, "Tell Mr. Bennett his wife is here to deliver the divorce papers."

The receptionist's eyes widened in shock.

After a short wait, she showed me to the elevator.

As the elevator rose, my heart sank.