Chapter 2

Mom's voice was as gentle as ever as I listened to her voice over the phone. She neither blamed nor questioned me.

"Once I've finished taking care of the family business over the next few days, I'll come over and pick you up in a week."

After we hung up, I got up and went home to pack up my things.

But as soon as I walked in, I saw Linda already sitting on the couch in my favorite silk nightgown. Meanwhile, Oliver stood behind her, gently combing her long blond hair.

Pain spread through my chest. I still remembered him holding a hair dryer on the night of our engagement and looking at me tenderly.

"I'll never dry anyone's hair but yours."

But ever since Linda came back, I finally understood those promises he had given me were nothing but memories.

Oliver looked up at me and said, "Linda doesn't have any clothes here. You have more than you can wear, so I gave her one of your nightgowns."

It had never occurred to him that my clothes, my bedroom, and my privacy were mine and mine alone. He should not have used them to take care of another woman whenever he wanted.

Before I could say anything, he looked at me with irritation. "Selena, why are you only home now? You've been gone all night."

He suddenly came over and grabbed my arm. "What's with that look? Can't you stop doing this every time..."

His grip reopened the wound that had already been treated and it began to bleed again. I hissed and gasped in pain, my whole arm trembled with pain.

Oliver asked, "What's wrong? Did I hurt you?"

I pushed his hand away and then looked to the side, fighting back my tears. "I'm fine. Go look after Linda."

Oliver obviously let out a sigh of relief. "You've been pretty well behaved today. Oh, right, Linda wants you to make her steak. Start cooking right now."

He spoke as if it was a perfectly reasonable request. "She saved my life, and now she's hurt and terminally ill. You understand, don't you?"

Looking at his earnest expression, I felt the last of my love for him finally disappear. "Okay. I'll make it."

After I finished cooking and came out of the kitchen, I saw them sitting side by side on the couch. Linda was all over Oliver.

Looking at it all, I felt nothing.

When I was going back to my room, Oliver suddenly followed me and leaned in to kiss my cheek.

"Selena, you're not angry, are you? You're so much more understanding today. I'm glad you're finally showing Linda some concern. Don't worry. As long as you stop picking on her, our wedding will go ahead next week as planned."

But by next week, I would be going home with my mom.