Chapter 2

My heart sank, falling deeper and deeper, like it was dropping into an endless abyss.

Rainer really had forgotten about me.

He once cherished me, called me the light of his life, and now looked at me as if I were nothing but a stranger.

Doyle, standing nearby, quietly reminded him, "Mr. Thornton, Mrs. Helena Thornton just woke up. She's still very weak."

Rainer's brow furrowed ever so slightly, as if the title made him uncomfortable.

The woman beside him, Lola Thornton, gently tugged at his sleeve. Her was voice so delicate that it sounded almost liquid. "Rainer, don't be like this. Helena just woke up. She might be scared."

With that, she released Rainer's hand and made her way to my bedside.

Before I could even react, she suddenly fell to the floor.

Her tears streamed down her pale cheeks, making her look heartbreakingly pitiful.

She looked up at me, her eyes brimming with tears, her voice trembling. "Helena, I'm begging you, please allow me and Rainer to be together."

I went stiff, feeling like my blood froze in my veins.

She sobbed, one hand resting on her rounded belly, "We really love each other. The baby can't be without a father."

I repeated her words in my mind.

It was like those words smashed into me, shattering my world and leaving me so breathless I thought I might suffocate.

I looked at Rainer, pouring every ounce of strength I had into that gaze, hoping to see even a flicker of denial, a hint of pain, or just a moment of hesitation in his eyes.

But there was nothing.

He immediately stepped forward, his face full of heartbreaking concern as he gently helped Lola to her feet and cradled her tightly in his arms, as if she were the rarest treasure in the world.

Then he turned to me, his eyes cold and openly accusatory, with a clear warning in his gaze.

He repeated, his impatience even sharper. "You're Helena? Now that you're awake, don't stir up any more trouble. Lola's expecting. She can't handle any drama."

He paused, like he was doing me a huge favor.

He added, "I don't remember anything from before, so you should move on. The Thornton family won't leave you out in the cold. You'll get a payout that is enough to keep you comfortable for the rest of your days."

His gaze was as sharp as a knife, raking over my pale, drained face.

He continued, "Do yourself a favor and don't make things ugly for everyone. Don't make us all look bad."

I laughed bitterly inside.

I lay on the hospital bed, feeling like a fish stranded on the shore. Every breath was a struggle, and the taste of blood in my throat only grew stronger.

I watched as he shielded another woman in the embrace I used to crave more than anything.

Curled up in his arms, Lola shot me a quick smile that was full of taunt and pride.

They left together. Watching their backs walk away felt like a knife twisting in my chest.

I wanted to shout, to demand answers, to let out all the hurt and anger that had been buried for three years and the pain that was ripping me apart right now.

But in the end, I just bit down hard on my lip, tasting the rusty flavor of blood.

My fingertips, clutching the edge of the blanket, lost all color and turned ice cold from how tightly I was holding on.

I couldn't say a thing.

Later, I was brought back to the Thornton family's villa.

But I wasn't led to the master bedroom I used to share with Rainer, not even one of the guest rooms on the second floor.

The butler led me to a room at the very end of the villa's annex. It was dimly lit, with a cold, musty air that felt like it hadn't seen sunlight in years.

The butler said, his tone respectful but distant, "Mrs. Helena Thornton, this will be your room from now on. Mrs. Lola Thornton has instructed that you need to rest, and this is the quietest place in the house."

Those names stung, sharp as needles in my ears.

I was still so weak that the servants had to half-carry me into the room. I looked around. The place was barely furnished, not even as nice as the rooms some of the Thornton family's most trusted staff got.

Rainer said that I would be taken care of, but this was what I got in the end.

That afternoon, Lola showed up.

She was wearing loose home clothes that made her baby bump look even more obvious. A servant trailed behind her, carrying a tray with a bowl of nourishing soup.

"Helena, I'm so glad you're awake," Lola said, her smile soft and sweet. She was settling into the only decent chair in the room like she was the real owner here.