Chapter 8

Sheldon let out a sigh of relief after the doctor told him nothing was broken and he'd only suffered a superficial wound. Once they bandaged his wound, he went home.

As the departure date drew closer, luggage of all sizes crowded the living room.

…

After resting for two days, Sheldon told a few close friends that he was moving abroad.

They arranged a farewell dinner for him. The mood was somber, and no one wanted to see him go. They urged him to keep in touch after moving abroad.

It was nearly midnight by the time the dinner ended.

After seeing his friends off, Sheldon settled the bill and returned to the private room to get his bag. As he headed out, he passed the room next door and heard voices he recognized.

"Carol, how does it feel to finally land the guy you've been pining for?" someone asked.

The door was slightly ajar, and Sheldon could hear the smile in Caroline's voice as she answered, "Honestly, I could die happy right now."

As soon as her words settled, everyone in the room broke into laughter.

Then, someone teased, "What about your childhood sweetheart?"

After a long pause, Caroline finally answered, her tone as nonchalant as ever, "Him? Well, he's great in bed."

"You're so lucky, Carol. You've got a guy who's always there when you want him, and you don't even have to commit to him. We're all jealous!"

Amid the laughter, Caroline raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

Another woman asked, "But now that you and Oliver are engaged, what are you going to do about him?"

"We'll part on good terms. Oliver is the only one I want. I don't want anyone else."

Her certainty prompted everyone to gush about how devoted she was to Oliver.

Sheldon stood outside, digging his fingers into his palms until his knuckles turned white. He'd thought Caroline could no longer hurt him, but hearing her say those things left him hurting all over again.

After more than 20 years of friendship, countless late-night phone calls, hand-holding and kissing, and the nights they'd spent in bed together, he'd been reduced to nothing more than a man she thought was good in bed.

Sheldon bit his lip hard, struggling to contain the bitterness welling up inside him. Then, he turned and walked away, dragging his feet.

…

Sheldon stepped into the rain with his head down, only to find someone standing in his way.

Oliver stood before Sheldon with five men beside him, all watching him in silence.

Sheldon said nothing and was about to flag down a cab when Oliver grabbed his arm. "I knew there was something going on between you two. Now, I know I was right.

"You really have no shame, do you? You've been throwing yourself at my fiancée and sleeping with her all this time?"

The malice in Oliver's voice made Sheldon go pale.

He was about to explain, but Oliver cut him off with a contemptuous look. "I could overlook what happened before, but Caroline and I are engaged now.

"And you're still going after her? Are you that desperate to keep sneaking around with another man's fiancée?"

Sheldon felt his chest tighten. He took a deep breath and began, "I'm not the other man, and I didn't come here looking for Caroline—"

Before he could finish, Oliver signaled the men beside him.

"Drag him inside. Then go find a few thugs."

The men took the hint and immediately seized Sheldon, shoving him up the stairs.

"What are you doing?"

Sheldon felt a jolt of alarm and struggled desperately. However, he couldn't take on so many men at once. They dragged him into the private room at the back and locked him inside.

Before long, one of the men came back with two tough-looking thugs.

Oliver clapped his hands, then stepped aside with a sneer. "This guy's always going after my fiancée. I can't stand the sight of his face or hands. Ruin them!"

As he spoke, he motioned for someone to close the door.

In the cramped room, the thugs lunged at Sheldon, grinning cruelly.

Sheldon raised his arms and fought back desperately, but he was no match for two men.

One thug wrenched his arms behind his back and pinned him to the table, while the other raised a knife, ready to drive it through his hand.

Sheldon struggled with all his might. Somehow, he managed to wrench one hand free. He snatched up an ashtray and, without a second thought, smashed it into the head of the man pinning him down.

The man crashed to the floor with a heavy thud.

While the other thug was still stunned, Sheldon snatched up his phone and bolted out. Oliver was still nearby, and Sheldon ran into him by the stairwell.

Oliver's expression darkened the instant he saw Sheldon. He grabbed Sheldon's arm and demanded, "How did you get out?"

He was just about to drag Sheldon back when he caught sight of someone around the corner. Without missing a beat, his expression changed, and he flung himself backward, tumbling down the stairs.

Caroline came out just as Oliver fell. Her eyes widened in horror as she rushed over and gathered him into his arms.

When she saw the bruises covering Oliver's body, she flew into a rage and rounded on Sheldon.

"Sheldon Graham! Why did you push Oliver?"