Chapter 2

On the other end, Mom's anxious voice came through again.

"Sonya, the doctors have all said you require treatment abroad for your heart condition. You barely survived, so why are you insisting on staying in the country doing rescue work?

"You're still so young, yet you're throwing your life away! If this continues, what will happen to Callie? Is Austin really so great that you'd go to such lengths for him?"

Indeed, was Austin so great?

At Mom's words, tears rolled down my cheeks once more.

I had always been the strongest member of my rescue team. Climbing mountains, wading through water, braving the wind and rain—I shattered every stereotype that women couldn't do rescue work.

No matter how tough or exhausting it got, I never shed a single tear.

But today, I truly lost count of how many times I had cried.

I steadied my voice. "Mom, I'll do what you say. I'll go abroad for treatment. But I need you to do me a favor."

Mom immediately relaxed, her voice softening. "Of course, of course! I'll help you with anything."

After hanging up, I wandered aimlessly down the street.

"Sonya, where the hell have you been?" A furious shout, followed by the crisp scent of mint.

Austin grabbed me from behind and pulled me into a crushing embrace. I struggled, kicking and pushing to break free. But he locked me in place, almost as if he wanted to press me into his very bones.

His breathing was ragged, each exhale sending goosebumps down my neck.

"Why didn't you answer my calls? Why did you run away from the hospital?"

His voice trembled slightly, laced with urgency and unease. His arms tightened around me until I could barely breathe.

His expression was filled with turbulent emotions, his gaze reflecting pure panic. His eyes especially—fierce, proud, and heartbroken—spoke volumes. Yet, they were trapped within this gentle exterior.

For a moment, it almost made me believe Austin still loved me. But the marks on his neck from Dion's kisses in the hospital room were still fresh.

I took a subtle step back, my tone indifferent. "I just needed some air."

Austin's hand froze mid-air, his gaze instantly dimming.

When I turned to leave, he suddenly swept me up again. Ignoring my protests, he shoved me into his luxury car.

"You're going to the rehabilitation center now. We'll talk about everything else later."

I bit my lip and stayed silent.

As the car stopped at the entrance of the private rehabilitation center, he moved to help me out, only to be interrupted by a small but furious voice shouting from a distance.

"You meanie! Let go of my mommy!"

The next second, Callie charged over and punched Austin in the leg as hard as she could.

Austin froze, his gaze landing on Callie's face—one that was so strikingly similar to his own. In that instant, his expression turned to stone.

I hadn't expected that the rehabilitation center Austin brought me to was the same one where Callie received her treatments.

I immediately pulled Callie behind me to shield her.

But Austin kept staring at her, his gaze whirling with disbelief. He grabbed my wrist and, in a low and shaking voice, asked, "Sonya, is she min—"

He couldn't even finish the sentence.

I avoided his burning gaze and said nothing. The calmer I was, the more frantic he became. He tightened his grip on my wrist to the point of pain, as if he wanted to crush my bones.

"How old is she? Why did you really leave me back then? We loved each other so much. What the hell were you hiding from me?"

Five years ago, we were college sweethearts. Everyone thought we were destined to walk down the aisle together. But that winter, while Austin was away on a business trip for his startup, I suddenly collapsed.

And from that moment on, our fates were forever changed.