Chapter 2

Alex's voice, barely containing his fury, sounded. "Get out. Don't ever come back here!"

There was a sudden crash, probably a cup hitting the floor. The sound of it shattering was sharp.

It was as if something inside me shattered, too.

I knew Alex too well, so I noticed the struggle and helplessness in his angry voice, though he tried to hide it.

Emily's voice was thick with tears as she said, "Alex, why can't you see it? You are a man destined to live only in chaos. Charlotte, who had already become a vegetable, was no longer right for you.

"Besides, I got my test results yesterday. I'm pregnant.

"Alex, it's your baby."

I suddenly felt like my heart was pierced by an invisible knife.

*****

I first met Alex when I was eighteen, just starting college.

I went to watch a race with my roommate, and he roared by on the track, so fast that all I caught was a blur of his profile as he flew past.

After years of playing by the rules in middle school, I hit a rebellious streak in my late teens. Grandma couldn't keep me in line at all.

I was the notorious troublemaker, the one everyone said was impossible to control.

Right then, his recklessness was dangerously charming. I fell for him before I knew it.

I spent a whole year chasing after Alex.

Maybe I was lucky. He happened to be a student at my university too.

I brought him water at the racetrack, showed up with lunch after class, handed him an umbrella when it poured, and never forgot his birthday gift.

But no matter what I did, Alex would at most let out a soft, dismissive chuckle.

The last time I handed him water after a race, I was ready to give up.

But Alex, with a grin, suddenly said, "See that car over there?"

I followed his gaze and saw a sports car with its front end smashed into the guardrail at the track's turn.

Leaning against the car door was a guy, about Alex's age.

He glanced our way, his eyes cocky and buzzing with excitement.

A cigarette was pinched between the guy's fingers, and his fiery red hair was untamed and rebellious.

I knew that guy. He and Alex had often been neck and neck on the racetrack. The two had been the worst of rivals, and had also raised the most hell together.

Sure enough, Alex went on, "His car's brakes are out. Why don't you stand right here and let him barrel toward you? If you don't dodge before he stops, I'll be your boyfriend. How about it?"

I tilted my head, grinned, and said, "Alright. You better keep your word."

The sports car roared to life and shot toward me like a rocket.

The split second before the car would've slammed into me, Alex lunged and tackled me out of the way.

I heard the car scream past, so close it nearly grazed me, and then I could hear Alex's heart pounding like a drum right by my ear.

His eyes were bloodshot as he gritted his teeth and said, "You're crazy."

I couldn't help but laugh, feeling smug. "I knew you couldn't stand to let anything happen to me."

Alex's eyes burned red as he wrapped his hand around my throat, gripping tight.

His lips were inches from mine. Gasping for air, I tilted my head up and kissed him.

I said, "See? I got my way."

After a whole year of chasing after him, I got nowhere.

But because of that one wild stunt, Alex finally let me in.

*****

Emily was right about one thing.

Alex was the kind of guy who was born for chaos.

After college, I married Alex, but the red-haired guy was still at odds with him.

They butted heads countless times, until finally, the red-haired guy snapped and kidnapped me.

He held a knife to my throat and demanded Alex floor it straight off a cliff. Only then would he let me go.

By then, I was already two months pregnant.

The tip of the blade kept pressing into my neck, blood dripping down and mixing with the rain.

Alex stared at me, his eyes blazing red. After a split second of hesitation, he yanked open the car door and got in.

I was screaming, crying, and struggling.

The rain poured down as Alex turned to look at me through the storm, his voice steady as ever. "The cash and cards are in the safe, same code as before.

"Charlotte, if I end up dead, at least you'll be rich.

"Find yourself a decent guy and be the woman of the house. Don't get bullied by his parents."