Chapter 4

As I pulled the papers away, Nathan suddenly pinned them under his hand.

His expression was hesitant.

"Serena, is there anything else?"

When I shook my head, a shadow crossed his face.

Then he yanked his hand back as if by instinct.

"Go get some rest."

I picked up the papers and caught sight of the clusters of blisters on my own hands from the fire.

It clicked.

My appearance had frightened him.

As I turned to leave, my lawyer called.

"I'll send the papers over soon."

My casual tone drew a puzzled question from behind me.

"Send what over?"

I turned back with a false smile.

"My husband's calling. Let me hang up."

Then I looked Nathan straight in the eye and lied.

"I picked up the wrong package."

Vivian suddenly giggled as if she'd thought of something funny.

"Speaking of packages, Nathan, you're so careless."

"A few times, the lingerie you bought for Serena got delivered to my place instead."

"I'll bring them over next time, Serena."

Nathan had never bought me anything, period. Meanwhile, I was the one who was always picking out clothes for him.

I pretended not to see the guilty look in Nathan's eyes.

My tone was flat.

"I don't wear other women's underwear."

Vivian's composure cracked.

Nathan jumped in first. "Don't get the wrong idea. Vivian's lost her memory and needs someone looking after her."

In the elevator, I closed every shopping account I used.

The driver took me back to the hospital, where the burns on my back were treated again.

Behind me, the door burst open.

Vivian's eyes were brimming with tears.

"Serena, why did you poison my dog?"

Nathan's face was ice-cold.

"Serena Hayes, how could you be so cruel? You can't even spare a dog?"

Triumph flashed in Vivian's eyes.

My voice stayed flat. "I never went near that dog."

"The remaining stew is in the refrigerator. Have it tested."

Nathan stiffened. They had no evidence.

"Vivian, are you certain the stew poisoned the dog?"

Vivian's face twisted in pain, and she pounded her fists against her own head.

"I don't know... my dog means everything to me. I just..."

Nathan pulled her into his arms to soothe her.

Vivian met my gaze, then jolted away from Nathan as if she had been shocked.

"Don't get the wrong idea, Serena. Nathan was just comforting me.

"This is all my fault. I should have checked first.

"You forgive me, don't you?"

Nathan pinched her cheek gently.

"She knows you lost your memory. Serena won't hold it against you. But don't be so reckless next time."

Vivian stuck out her tongue playfully.

"Got it."

Watching the two of them play off each other, I let out a long yawn.

A nurse walked in carrying a tray.

"Ms. Hayes, we need to draw some blood for tests today."

Vivian's voice shot up. "No!"

When she felt everyone's eyes on her, Vivian opened her mouth.

"It's because..."

Just then, the hospital's fire alarm shrieked.

Without a second thought, Nathan shielded Vivian and rushed for the exit.

I was still lying facedown on the bed, unable to move.

The nurse slapped a hand to her forehead.

"Maintenance said they were testing the sensors today and might trigger a false alarm. I forgot to tell you."

The young nurse begged me not to report her, and I nodded.

"Do me a favor instead."

Nathan noticed how calm everything was. None of the other patients or families seemed alarmed.

After asking around, he learned it was only a false alarm.

When he returned, my room was empty.

The bed was neatly made.

A nurse told him I had already been discharged.

In the elevator, I wore a mask, bundled up from head to toe.

Derek pushed my wheelchair behind me.

"I found out who your parents are."

He paused.

"No wonder Vivian's been going after you so relentlessly."

"There's one more thing. I'd suggest you brace yourself."

My phone kept buzzing. The caller ID showed Nathan's name.

I opened our message thread and started to type, "We should get divorced."

The phone rang again, shrill and insistent. I declined it.

Then I looked up at Derek and asked.

"Who are my parents? And what's the other news?"

He considered for a moment, then started with the second piece.

"Legally speaking, you were never actually married."

I gave a quiet "oh" and typed a final message.

"We're done."