Chapter 2

"Lina, what's going on with you?" Hylton asked, furrowing his brows.

I didn't answer. I simply stepped back to keep some distance between us.

Hylton took a deep breath and adjusted his expression, softening his tone. "I know you got tanned in Zubania, and you're upset. Don't be mad, okay? Just come home with me."

I was upset because I got tanned? Did he think I was on a vacation?

I thought I was already numb, but at that moment, a prickly pain wrapped tightly around my heart.

I stared at his hand coldly, unmoved.

His hand lingered awkwardly in the air. When he saw I wasn't responding, he withdrew it in embarrassment.

"Today's my mom's birthday. Everyone's waiting for you."

I nodded silently and followed him to the parking lot but kept a full arm's length between us the whole way.

Hylton opened the passenger door. I ignored him as I circled to the backseat, pulling the door open and getting in the car.

He paused for a second but said nothing. Then, he closed the door and got into the driver's seat.

Perhaps it was too obvious I didn't want to talk to him, but Hylton tried to break the silence with small talk.

"My parents got a small orange cat. I remember you always liked orange cats. He likes snuggling with women. He'll probably be all over you when we get back."

I stared out the window at the scenery flashing by, not responding.

He hesitated, then changed the subject. "By the way, Priscilla and I picked out a welcome gift for you last week. You always liked that bracelet, right? I finally managed to get it."

A wave of absurdity and disbelief rose in me. I turned to stare at him through the rearview mirror, trying to see through him.

His eyes were bright, the corners of his lips lifting in a relaxed smile. He was no different from the person I'd known all my life. He even remembered I liked orange cats and which bracelet I had my eye on.

I couldn't help but wonder if the past six months had just been a nightmare. How else could he act this natural and unaffected, as if nothing had happened?

I didn't understand. How could someone be like this?

A chill crept up from the pit of my stomach. It was hard to breathe, as though an invisible hand was gripping my heart.

The car finally stopped in front of the Miller residence, the place I once thought would be my future home.

After turning off the engine, Hylton got out and came around to my side. Opening the car door, he reached out to put his arm around my shoulders like he used to.

"We're home, Lina."

The moment his hand came close, flashes of those forced encounters played through my mind.

I jerked away violently, nausea surging up from my stomach. I rushed to the side of the road and bent over, dry-heaving. My stomach was empty, but I couldn't stop retching.

Hylton's expression finally changed. "Alina, that's enough!"

He walked over, voice low and tense. "It's my mom's birthday. Don't ruin it for everyone."

Just then, the villa door opened. Hylton's parents and Priscilla stepped out, having heard the commotion.

"You're back, Lina!" Emma Smith, Hylton's mother, walked over quickly, a beaming smile on her face.

Hylton's father, Robert Miller, followed behind. He was holding a glass of red wine. "Come in. We've been waiting a long time."

I straightened up, but my gaze went past them, landing directly on Priscilla.

She was wearing the luxurious dress Hylton had given me for my birthday last year. Around her neck was the pearl necklace I had spent 700,000 dollars to win at an auction. I loved the necklace.

So, while I was gone, my clothes, my bags, my jewelry… Everything of mine had been handed over to her!

"Lina, you don't look so well. Do you want to rest for a bit?" Emma asked kindly.

I didn't answer. I just stared straight at Priscilla.