Chapter 2

Security didn't throw me out through the ballroom's main entrance.

The head of security pushed me into a service corridor and held out his hand. "Ms. Harper, please hand over your visitor badge and your car keys."

"I'll give you the badge, but you have no right to take the keys."

"Mr. Reed's orders. You're not allowed back into the event tonight."

"Then please tell him this car is mine. You can't just keep it."

I moved past him toward the elevator, but someone suddenly grabbed my wrist hard and twisted it back.

"Ma'am, please don't make this difficult for us."

Pain shot through me, and my knees nearly buckled. Another guard stepped in to block me and shoved me hard into a metal railing. I lost my footing and tumbled down two steps, my right hand shooting out on instinct to break my fall.

I felt a dull crack in my wrist.

For a long time, I couldn't get up. My right wrist swelled quickly, and every breath sent a stabbing pain under my ribs.

The head of security finally let go of my wrist. "We were just following orders."

"Then I hope you remember exactly what you just did."

I called Sophia with my left hand. She was already at the party, and when she heard how weak I sounded, she rushed over. A guard reached out to block her camera, but she didn't back down. She took a picture of his ID badge first, then filmed the stairs, the railing, and my swollen wrist.

"I already called an ambulance," she said. "The police are coming too. Don't let anyone help you up. Just sit here for now."

My future self crouched beside me. Her charred hand passed through my wrist again and again, unable to touch me.

"Last time... I never even made it to the hospital."

I stared at her. Her voice was heavy with regret.

"Who are you?" I asked under my breath.

Sophia thought I was talking to her. "Evelyn, look at me. Don't you dare pass out."

So I didn't say anything else.

After the X-rays in the ER, the doctor told me I had a fractured right wrist and bruised ribs. I'd need a splint, rest, and regular follow-ups. He asked carefully how I'd gotten hurt and advised me to keep my medical records safe and file a formal complaint.

"I already called the police," I replied.

Sophia gently patted my shoulder. She knew how deeply I'd loved Noah, and she understood that tonight was the first time I hadn't made excuses for him.

Even so, I video-called Noah.

It took him a long time to pick up. The camera was shaky, and in the background I could hear Claire sobbing.

"Evelyn," he said, lowering his voice. "She's still in shock. Can you please just let tonight go?"

I held up my splinted right hand.

"Do you see this? Your people pushed me down the stairs."

He frowned and studied it for a few seconds. "I'll have my assistant cover all the medical bills. As for security, I'll look into it."

"You're not even going to ask if it hurts?"

"You're the one who hit someone on stage first."

Holding my phone, I suddenly remembered our first fight. He'd chased me out to the street, and angry as he was, he'd still put his jacket around my shoulders because he couldn't stand to see me cold. Now I was in the hospital, and he couldn't even spare a few minutes to hear what had happened to me.

"We'll talk later."

With that, he hung up.

In the early hours of the morning, Sophia drove me back to the apartment. When I pushed the door open, the living room was lit with warm lamps, and boxes of medicine were scattered across the coffee table. Claire was curled up in the corner of the couch where I usually sat, wrapped in a pale silk jacket.

Noah was crouched in front of her, carefully pressing a cold pack to her cheek.

When he saw us come in, his gaze caught on my splint.

"It's that bad?"

"Watch the security footage, and you'll see for yourself." I set the ER paperwork on the table. "I need the names of the guards involved and the full record. Also, why is Claire here?"

Claire stood up right away and gave Noah a pleading look. "I can move to a hotel. I don't want you two fighting over me."

Noah put a hand on her shoulder to stop her. "She's not feeling well tonight. She's staying here for now."

"This is our home. Yours and mine." I looked straight at him. "You never asked me."

"You know how fragile she is. Once the doctor says she's stable, she'll leave."

I fought through the stabbing pain in my ribs and asked, "Security hurt me. What are you going to do about it?"

"I only told them to get you out of the event. They were afraid you'd lose control again, so maybe they were a little rough."

"Did you see it with your own eyes?"

"You're the one who hit Claire in front of everyone. Why should I believe your side first?"

Beside me, Sophia let out a cold laugh. "You don't have to believe anyone. Just pull the security footage."

Noah deliberately changed the subject. He was exhausted, he said, and everything could wait until tomorrow.

I already knew tomorrow wouldn't change a thing.

Claire followed Noah toward the guest room. Before she left, her eyes swept over my splint. There wasn't a trace of fear in them.

My future self shook her head hard. "Don't let her stay. Dad... she's going to go after Dad."

When she mentioned Dad, my chest tightened.

I didn't keep arguing with Noah. Sophia helped me move my bags into the small spare room. With my left hand, I took pictures of my injuries and the confirmation of my police report and sent them, along with the security company's name, to my divorce lawyer, Emily Walker. We set up a formal meeting for the next day.

After I sent the message, I sat on the edge of the bed and didn't move for a long time.

Through the door, I heard Noah quietly asking Claire if she wanted something warm to drink.

On countless nights before, he'd woken up and asked me the very same thing, just as gently.

I turned my phone facedown on the table and looked at my future self. "What do you remember about Dad?"

She hugged her knees, her voice shaking. "I remember that when he collapsed, I was still begging Noah to believe me."