Chapter 2

Milton's cold words stabbed into my heart like steel needles. The exhaust fumes from the car made my lungs seize up, and suddenly, I coughed up a mouthful of blood.

After wiping it away with the back of my hand, I let out a bitter laugh.

Milton's loyalty would always tip toward Rita.

"Oh, my God! That kid's foaming at the mouth! Is he dying?"

Panic rippled through the crowd, but not a single person stepped forward to help.

While holding my breath, I pushed through the chaos and loosened Oliver's collar. "Wake up! Don't fall asleep!"

But his pupils had already gone dull. He was too weak to respond.

Suddenly, a still-burning cigarette butt droppped nearby and reignited the lingering hydrogen. In an instant, flames shot up toward the sky, and a wave of scorching heat slammed into us.

Screams erupted around me. In the chaos, I was shoved and trampled, my wrists and ankles swollen and throbbing.

When I looked down, I met Oliver's terrified gaze. His voice was barely a whisper. "Larissa… run…"

It felt like the fire was boiling the blood in my veins.

The skin on my back sizzled from the heat. My vision swam, and a cry escaped my lips as pain seared through my body.

I clenched my teeth, hoisted Oliver onto my back, and ran toward the nearby fountain.

Pushed left and right by the panicked crowd, I eventually dropped to my knees.

Sharp stones tore into my skin, but I kept going. While pressing on his chest again and again, I called to him softly, over and over.

Finally, his chest began to rise and fall with strength again. And just like that, everything drained from me. I collapsed beside him, hollow as an empty shell.

The bodyguards arrived too late. The moment their eyes landed on me, they gasped.

"In less than an hour… Ms. Glisson's entire body is torn to shreds! If it weren't for her, Mr. Oliver would've—"

Oliver, who had just regained consciousness, burst into tears and gripped my hand tightly. "Larissa… I don't want you to die."

I didn't allow myself to close my eyes until I saw Mr. Patton Senior—Oliver's grandfather—personally escort Oliver into the ambulance.

…

When I opened them again, my entire body was hooked up to machines.

During rounds, the doctor said I was incredibly lucky to survive. My will to live during surgery had been so weak, but every time the child was mentioned, my heart rate steadied.

When I heard that the baby was safe, I finally let out a long breath of relief.

The hospital room door opened. Mr. Patton Senior entered, and the moment he saw I was awake, his face lit up with joy. He immediately moved as if to bow.

"Larissa, if Oliver hadn't been willing to trust you, I never would've dragged you into this. You could've been home with your family, celebrating together."

At his words, I lowered my eyes and gave a bitter smile.

What family? Besides the child in my belly, I had no one left.

"I swear I'll get to the bottom of who set off those fireworks. You deserve an answer."

I quickly helped him up, my nose stinging with emotion at the rare moment of concern.

He had no real obligation to me, yet here he was—fighting for justice on my behalf. Meanwhile, my husband, Milton, had already branded me the culprit.

My lips curled into a smile that felt more painful than tears. Just thinking about Milton's cold indifference drained every last bit of color from my face.

Upon noticing my silence, Mr. Patton Senior sighed and gently patted my shoulder before heading for the door.

"As long as Patton Group stands, you'll always be our savior," he said.

I nodded firmly, truly grateful for that warmth.

But just as I let myself soak in the brief comfort, an unwelcome visitor stormed in.

"Larissa, who gave you permission to steal Rita's primary doctor?"

Without warning, Milton yanked me up from the bed. The tight furrow of his brows made his displeasure crystal clear.

Rita clung to his side, shrinking back when her gaze met mine, her eyes red-rimmed and watery.

"It's okay, Milton… Larissa's already hurt me so many times. I'm used to it. Please don't fight because of me," she whined.

Her trembling voice only poured fuel on Milton's fury. He jabbed a finger hard against my forehead. "If it weren't for Rita holding me back, I would've taught you a real lesson!"

Then, his voice dropped to a threatening growl. "I'll ask you one thing—are you giving him up or not?"