Chapter 2

Connor disappeared into the study and didn't come out.

Every so often, I could hear the sound of metal tinkling from inside.

He was working through his rehab routine.

I left him alone, put away my clothes from the suitcase, zoned out on the couch for a bit, and then went out to buy groceries.

Connor was a year ahead of me in college.

I fell for him the second I laid eyes on him, right on my first day as a freshman.

I wanted to make a move, but when I found out he was with his childhood sweetheart, I had to give up on that idea.

Then, in my sophomore year, word got out that he'd split with his ex, so I shamelessly started pursuing him.

It took me two whole years to finally win him over.

After graduation, Connor landed a job at a tech company.

He was sharp and good with people. He was set for a bright future.

A year ago, Connor got hit by a car that ran a red light while he was crossing the street.

The driver was totally at fault, but he didn't have insurance and was already in debt. He scraped together a few thousand dollars, but that was all he could manage.

We had to cover most of the surgery and rehab costs ourselves.

After the accident, Connor was left paralyzed from the waist down, and he lost his job.

Even though the doctors said he probably wouldn't walk again, it never even crossed my mind to leave him.

If I hadn't mistakenly thought he was cheating, I never would've brought up breaking up.

I knew Connor still held a grudge about me bringing up the breakup.

I also knew he thought I'd framed him, like I was making him look guilty.

But I couldn't explain it.

Because in his mind, there was no one else in the house. If the condom wasn't his, then it had to be mine.

But there was no way I was going to let go on my own.

I would not willingly step aside and let that calculating Saniyah win.

I decided to not give up. I would stick it out no matter what.

[Looks like Vanessa isn't planning to leave Connor.]

[Connor's already got some distance between him and Vanessa. If Saniyah keeps messing things up between them, it's only a matter of time before they break up.]

[Why am I getting such a bad vibe? Connor and Vanessa were fine, and now Saniyah has to insert herself.]

[Did you even check the title and summary? This is a villainess ascension novel. The author said Saniyah will stop at nothing to finish her quest!]

[Exactly. If you don't like it, drop the book. No need to seek attention in the comments.]

I did my best to tune out those barrage comments with their warped values and zero useful information.