Chapter 4

Yeah, I'd already lost everything. What chance did I have of turning my life around now?

In that instant, the breakdown that had amused Chase moments earlier vanished completely. All that remained was a cold, numb indifference.

"Why aren't you saying anything? Spencer! Say something! Weren't you the arrogant one before? The Driver of the Year every single season? What's wrong now? Cat got your tongue?"

Chase froze for a moment. My sudden apathy robbed him of the sense of superiority he'd come here looking for, and his embarrassment quickly turned to anger.

For the next several minutes, he repeatedly tried to provoke me.

"What's wrong, cripple? Why aren't you talking? You were throwing things at me a minute ago. Who are you putting on this pathetic act for now?"

With what little strength I had left, I tossed a pillow at him. Grinding my teeth, I forced out two words: "Get out."

The pillow barely brushed against him, but Chase instantly seized the opportunity. The next second, he cried out dramatically and stumbled backward as though I'd seriously hurt him.

"Spencer?! How could you do that? I only came here to check on you!"

Just then, the sharp click of high heels echoed from outside the room, followed by his shout. A moment later, the door flew open, and Brielle rushed inside.

"Chase?! What happened?!"

One look at the mess scattered across the floor, and she immediately turned on me with fury in her eyes.

Naomi arrived a second later and froze. "Chase?! He actually hit you?!"

Watching the two women fuss over him, I couldn't help but curl my lips into a bitter smile, then I laughed.

"Spencer! Have you lost your mind? Apologize to Chase right now!" Enraged by my laughter, Naomi stormed over and grabbed my arm. Ignoring my injured leg, she yanked me straight out of bed.

"Get on your knees and apologize to Chase!"

After helping Chase to his feet, Brielle stepped forward. The heel of her shoe came down hard on the still-bleeding IV wound on the back of my hand.

"Apologize."

As I collapsed onto the floor, I barely registered the pain in my hand. All I could feel was the agony shooting through my amputated leg. After all the rough handling, blood was already beginning to seep through the thick bandages.

My face turned deathly pale, and I could barely stay conscious.

When I still refused to speak, Brielle cursed under her breath, grabbed my hair, and repeatedly slammed my head toward the floor.

"Are you deaf? Apologize to my husband. Now!"

Cruel and humiliating, Naomi and Brielle forced me to apologize to Chase. Only when I was sprawled on the floor, half-conscious and barely able to keep my eyes open, did they finally stop.

For one brief moment, I thought I saw pain and hesitation in Naomi's eyes, but it didn't matter anymore. Whatever mistakes I'd made, I'd already paid the price.

Now all I wanted was to leave them and to escape this living hell.

…

When I woke up again, Naomi was gone.

The blood-soaked bandages on my leg had been replaced. The wound on my hand had been redressed as well. Even the room had been cleaned.

Sunlight streamed through the window and fell across my face.

Lowering my gaze, I felt as though a lifetime had passed. The absurd thought crossed my mind that private hospitals really were efficient. Everything looked as though nothing had happened.

For a moment, I thought I finally had a chance to leave.

Then Naomi came back, carrying food.

"You're awake. Eat something." Her expression had softened again.

She even sounded regretful. "Honestly, why put yourself through all that just because you're too stubborn to back down?"

As she spoke, she picked up a spoon and tried to feed me. Her tone was patient and earnest. "As long as you're obedient, I'll take good care of you from now on."

I turned my head away, almost gagging. The sight of her made my stomach churn. "Get away from me."

Naomi's expression immediately darkened. She retorted angrily, "Spencer, I'm bringing you food and choosing not to hold any of this against you. Do you have to be so ungrateful?"