Chapter 2
Oliver took a deep breath and stepped up beside me.
He said, "I know Iris better than anyone. She's not that ruthless. Nora's always had health issues, and she's prone to miscarriages. I'm sure this has nothing to do with Iris."
With that, he led me out of the hospital room, giving me a meaningful look as we left.
I was genuinely moved, thinking Oliver was still the Oliver I used to know.
But in a heartbeat, his expression flipped.
He pinned me against the wall, sizing me up with a look that screamed suspicion and disdain.
He spat out, "Iris, you've really disappointed me. I can't believe you've turned into such a cruel, cold-hearted bitch."
His words, dripping with malice, made my chest ache.
I swallowed the bitterness in my throat and stared him down, refusing to let him accuse me.
"This really has nothing to do with me. If you don't believe me, check for yourself, investigate however you want," I said.
"You think I haven't already investigated?"
He let out a mocking snort, eyes full of contempt. "You're so damn calculating. You wrecked every single camera in and around the villa, just so no one could ever prove a thing.
"You used to be so naive, so harmless. But now, just to get my attention, you'll stoop to anything."
His eyes were full of disappointment, every bit of it aimed at me.
Even though I'd stopped having any illusions about Oliver ages ago, being accused like this still made me want to fight back.
"If you really think I did it, then call the cops. I've got nothing to hide. I'm not scared of the police at all," I snapped back.
But Oliver just thought I was being defensive.
He turned it around and blamed me for not knowing my place.
He said, "Everyone knows you're the one I've always loved. If this blows up and people find out you killed my child just to win my favor, how do you think that'll make me look?
"Wasn't it enough for you to mess with Nora? Now you want everyone to laugh at me, too?"
All I could see in Oliver now was a selfish, cold stranger I barely recognized.
He didn't want to get tangled up any further.
"Argue all you want, it won't change a thing. Starting today, you're staying home. You're not setting foot outside," he ordered.
He gave me one last icy glare before heading straight back into the hospital room, not even bothering to look back.
As he walked away, his back turned to me, cold as ever, I felt a chill run through me.
And then, from inside the hospital room, I caught his gentle voice as he comforted Nora.
A cold emptiness washed over my heart.
Now, Oliver could brand me as heartless and cruel, without even a sliver of evidence.
I rubbed my sore eyes, trying to hold back the tears.
Just as I was about to leave, Emily came out.
She sidled up to me, a smug grin tugging at her lips as she leaned in close. "Being his true love doesn't mean much, does it? You still can't beat us stand-ins.
"If I were you, I'd go in there, bow to Nora, and admit you were wrong. Who knows, maybe you'll win back a shred of Mr. Wilson's favor."
Emily looked smug and full of herself.
Her attitude made Oliver's love for me feel like nothing but sarcasm.
I let out a bitter laugh and walked away without saying a word.
That night, Evelyn showed up at the villa.
She already knew what had happened and was trying to figure out the truth.
She said, "It's a shame all the cameras at Nora's villa are broken, and you weren't with Oliver every second. Now, there's no real evidence. It's all up to whatever Nora says."