Chapter 3

"Do you really think I need your money?" Caleb asked sharply. He yanked my arm roughly, his expression dark.

"How long are you going to keep this up, Maeve? Do you think you can support yourself? I honestly don't know what goes through your head!

"I buy you skincare, and you won't use it. I buy you jewelry, and you won't wear it. I tell you to dress better, and you come up with every excuse under the sun!"

Every time Caleb and I argued, he would always bring up old grievances. He said I didn't use the skincare he bought me, but that was because it made me break out.

He said I didn't wear the jewelry, but when I did, people mocked me for wearing cheap knockoffs.

He complained that I didn't dress fashionably, but I worked in a government job. Did I really need to wear flashy clothes?

When I didn't respond, Caleb became even more relentless. "Why aren't you saying anything? Do you want to go back to your hometown and get married?"

Upon hearing that, I stared at him in disbelief.

After the college entrance exam, my family locked me up to force me into marriage.

It was Caleb who had saved me from that nightmare. He'd promised that as long as he was around, I would never have to face danger again.

But now, he seemed to have forgotten those words. He was behaving just like the people I'd once hated. I was from a broken family, so I was naturally frugal. Was that my fault?

Tears welled up in my eyes. My heart ached as if someone had crushed it in their grip. However, I said nothing.

I had finally realized that Caleb was beyond saving. He would never think he was the cause of the problem.

I grabbed my suitcases, determined to leave.

Enraged, Caleb slammed my suitcases to the ground—the two suitcases shattered on impact. My carefully packed belongings spilled everywhere.

"We're already broken up, Caleb! Who gave you the right to touch my things?"

Caleb grabbed my arm and dragged me back.

He was so strong. My head slammed into the edge of the table. Pain instantly exploded, and a hot stream of blood poured down into my eyes.

I blinked furiously, but everything was a blur.

Caleb turned around in a panic. "Don't be scared, Maeve. I'm taking you to the hospital."

But before he could do anything, his phone rang. Julia's weak voice came through the speaker. "Caleb, I'm at the entrance of your neighborhood. I'm coughing up blood. What should I do? It hurts so much."

Caleb's expression paled instantly. He let go of my arm. "Maeve, wait for me. Julia's condition has flared up. I have to take her to the hospital first."

Blood streamed into my eyes. All I could see was a vague silhouette in front of me.

I clung to Caleb's leg, not letting him leave. "Caleb, I can't see. Please help me call—"

Without a second thought, he kicked me away. "Goddamn it! I told you to wait! Why can't you understand a simple request? You can't even wait for a while? Are you in a hurry to die or what?"

The force of his kick knocked me down, and I couldn't get back up.

But Caleb was already long gone. The door slammed shut behind him with a deafening thud.