Chapter 2

Kyle's brow barely moved.

They were having the wedding today, but they'd already made it legal two weeks ago.

"Divorce isn't happening.

"I'll send Allison back overseas as soon as I can. In a month, I'll give you an even bigger wedding."

His tone made it clear the subject was closed.

"As for the statement, Elena, I don't want to force you or do this the hard way."

Elena closed her eyes. The fresh stitches in her chest felt like they'd split open all over again.

'You don't want to force me? Then what exactly is this?'

But Elena knew Kyle.

Once he made up his mind, nothing stopped him.

Whether she agreed or not, he'd get her signature somehow.

After a long silence, she opened her eyes.

"I'll sign."

Her hand was ice-cold as she took the pen and signed the statement.

Kyle tucked it away, then pulled a black card from his bloodstained suit and set it on the nightstand.

"There's $10 million on this card. Consider it compensation for what Allison did."

Then he turned and walked out.

The second the door shut, Elena struggled onto her side and grabbed the card.

Then she laughed.

Tears slipped from the corners of her eyes.

'So this is what three years of loving him cost me. My pride. My dignity. Everything.'

...

That evening, the door opened.

Allison walked in.

Elena's face went cold at the sight of the woman who looked so much like her—and had nearly killed her.

"Get out."

Allison ignored her and sat beside the bed, glancing at the bandage on Elena's chest.

"I'm sorry. I lost control. I never meant to hurt you.

"You signed that statement and kept me out of trouble. I owe you."

She paused, her expression tightening.

"But you should leave Kyle. We're toxic together. We can't let go, but all we do is hurt each other.

"And next time I lose control, I can't promise you won't get hurt again."

Allison's honesty caught Elena off guard.

No taunting. No games. She meant it.

Elena was starting to see why Kyle had never gotten over her, even after they became enemies.

She lowered her eyes with a faint smile.

"Then pay me back. Get Kyle to sign the divorce papers. After that, I'm done with both of you."

Now Allison looked surprised.

She clearly hadn't expected Elena to walk away from Kyle so easily.

Then it clicked.

Kyle wouldn't agree to a divorce. Elena needed her help.

"Okay. Get the papers ready and send them to me."

Allison stood, grabbed a pen, and wrote down her number.

At the door, she stopped.

"Everyone knows my dad got drunk and started the fire that killed Kyle's whole family.

"But no one knows Kyle got revenge by driving my dad to his death. He didn't spare my mom or grandparents either.

"He sent me overseas because he was afraid he wouldn't be able to stop himself from hurting me."

Her voice stayed quiet, but her hand shook on the doorknob.

"So until the divorce is final, don't let him find out.

"Otherwise, he won't let you leave."

The door shut.

Elena sat there stunned, her fingertips ice-cold.

...

Over the next few days, Kyle showed up every day, whether Elena wanted him there or not.

He brought soup from her favorite restaurant, peeled and cut up fruit for her, and worked beside her while she slept.

Elena watched him with cold eyes.

The whole thing was almost laughable.

If she hadn't lived through the nightmare of their wedding day, she might've believed nothing had ever happened.

One day, a nurse handed Elena an envelope.

Inside were the divorce papers Allison had sent.

Kyle's signature was on the last page.

Kyle glanced up from his work.

"What's that?"

Elena lifted the papers. "My medical records. Wanna see?"

He frowned at her cold tone, then looked back down.

"No."

Elena stared at his signature and smiled bitterly.

For three years, even when she'd asked him to sign something in the heat of the moment, he'd always read every word first.

She used to think he was just careful.

Now she got it.

She'd never been the one who could make him break his own rules.

As soon as Kyle left, Elena sent the papers to her lawyer.

Everything was in order. He just needed a copy of her and Kyle's marriage certificate.

Two days later, Elena went home for the certificate.

Wedding decorations still covered the mansion, making her eyes sting.

She found it and was about to leave when Kyle rushed in with Allison in his arms.

"Everyone out. Lock down the mansion. No one comes or goes without my permission!"

The staff and bodyguards moved fast.

Allison was unconscious, her face flushed.

Elena knew right away.

'She was drugged.'

And Kyle's plan was obvious.

Maybe Elena wasn't completely over him yet, because her chest still ached.

She tightened her grip on the certificate and turned to leave with everyone else.

Then Kyle called after her.

"Elena, stay.

"You're a doctor. If anything happens to her, I need you here."