Chapter 2

Afterward, Samuel turned his attention back to Summer and began to act openly affectionate toward her.

If this had happened in the past, I would've gotten incredibly jealous and demanded that he choose between us. But now, I simply sat in my seat in silence. Instead of responding, I rested my chin on the palm of my hand and looked out of the window.

For some reason, Samuel's expression darkened slightly when he noticed my lack of reaction.

Soon, we arrived at our destination.

Samuel opened the car door and helped Summer out of the vehicle like a gentleman. I walked behind the group and entered the hotel last.

In the lobby, Liam Sutton, the eldest son of the Sutton family, was sitting on the sofa, watching a show. In contrast to his sharp, capable demeanor, he looked refined and handsome, and his personality was cold and aloof.

Samuel had complained about Liam on multiple occasions. He claimed that he couldn't stand Liam's pretentious attitude. But I knew it was simply because the latter overshadowed him, and it bruised his pride and ego.

Pressing his lips together, Samuel greeted Liam reluctantly.

"Hello, Liam."

Liam nodded in response before his gaze fell on me.

There were only five key cards. Samuel took one from the hotel manager and turned to look at me.

"You'll share a room with my brother tonight. Don't worry—he has high standards. He wouldn't be interested in you. Once we settle in, get a few condoms from the receptionist and send them over to my room."

Feeling amused, the crowd eagerly watched the conversation unfold.

Summer blushed and buried her face in Samuel's chest. "There are people here, Sam…"

Samuel didn't seem to care. Glancing at me deliberately, he replied, "It's fine. She's aware of what's going on. Besides, she knows that she won't be my only partner. Did you hear what I said, Catherine?"

In the past, I was almost always at Samuel's beck and call. Even when I had a fever, I rushed to his company to deliver a blanket to him as soon as he called me.

It was pouring that afternoon. After I arrived at his office, soaked and disheveled, he gently draped the blanket over a sleeping Summer without sparing me a single glance.

In hindsight, perhaps my unconditional love for him caused him to take my devotion for granted. I couldn't believe that he felt comfortable enough to give me such an obnoxious instruction, but I wasn't going to let him have his way anymore.

Looking him in the eye, I responded, "I heard you, but all your limbs are working just fine. If you want something, you should go get it yourself."

"I know you're jealous, Kate, but Samuel likes me," Summer said in a sweet, insincere tone. "There's nothing wrong with liking someone. You're being too harsh on him."

"You'd better stop talking, or I might start asking you to pay me back," I declared coldly.

Summer was an underprivileged student I supported financially. She came from a poor background. Without my help, she would've been forced into a marriage before she could even enter college.

Despite her background, she still dared to get involved with my husband and send me videos to gloat about it.

These events happened in my previous life. But even now, the memory of her betrayal still stung just as sharply.

Summer immediately teared up. She bit her lip and ran out of the room.

"Catherine Lowe!" Samuel barked at me. "How dare you pick on Summer?"

"Do you think you can act so arrogantly just because you're about to marry me? I hate that jealous expression of yours. Apologize to Summer right now!" he demanded.

When I didn't move, he raised his hand and tried to strike me. But before he could touch me, someone abruptly grabbed his wrist.

Liam positioned himself in front of me to shield me from harm. I couldn't help but glance at him, but I wasn't able to see his face.

Samuel's expression instantly hardened even further. He broke free from Liam's hold and shot me a vicious glare.

"I'll deal with you next time."

With that, he hastily stormed off to look for Summer.

Upon seeing this, the rest of the group quickly grabbed their key cards and left in a hurry.

At that moment, Liam picked up the last key card before making his way toward me. Staring at me with an emotionless expression, he said, "Let's go, Ms. Lowe."

I hummed in response and followed him to our room.

Even if Samuel hadn't said anything, Liam and I were supposed to share a room anyway.

In my past life, I never really interacted with Liam.

Once, when I was hospitalized with a fever, Samuel was too busy with work to care about me. To my surprise, Liam came to visit me with some gifts.

Before he'd left my hospital room, he'd said something vague.

"I hope you come to your senses soon."

When the door to our hotel room closed behind us, I turned to study Liam's face. He looked just as cold and distant as he had in my previous life.