Chapter 4

Logan finally gave in, though his expression remained cold.

After ten years together, he knew just how stubborn Summer could be. For all her sharp edges, she would do anything to protect the people she cared about.

Later, Summer accompanied her team to the finance department to make sure everyone received their bonuses. Seeing the coworkers she'd known for years finally get the money they were owed gave her some relief.

But that relief was short-lived. She soon came across a company notice announcing that she'd been fired for misconduct. Humiliation washed over her as she read it, each word more painful than the last.

In the past, she would have gone straight after them. This time, she forced herself to swallow her anger. The tumor in her brain was a ticking time bomb, and she couldn't risk getting worked up again.

One by one, Summer's team members sent their resignations to HR. They were outraged by the way she'd been treated.

"Ms. Bennett, Mr. Cartwright's going to regret this!"

"We're done working for a fraud like him! Wherever you go, we're coming with you!"

Their loyalty touched Summer deeply. She promised herself that one day, she'd start another company where they could all work together again.

She emailed Logan the divorce agreement she'd already prepared, then headed home to pack her things.

By the time she turned into a quiet alley, it was already dark. The farther she walked, the fewer people she passed.

Without warning, tires screeched, shattering the silence. Summer turned around, squinting into the blinding glare of headlights. A car was hurtling straight toward her.

Before she could react, the car slammed into her, sending her flying. She hit the pavement hard, pain ripping through her body. It felt as though every bone had been broken and her insides crushed.

Barely conscious, she heard car doors opening, followed by a familiar voice.

"There. Happy now?"

Logan held Vivian's hand as she stepped out of the passenger seat. He barely spared a glance at Summer, who lay in a pool of blood.

Vivian's eyes gleamed with satisfaction, her voice dripping with spite. "Serves her right. She gets a taste of success and suddenly thinks she's better than me.

"She's still just a bastard, and she had the nerve to humiliate me in front of everyone! Is she out cold? Go see if she's still breathing."

Summer's vision blurred, but she still recognized the car, even with its front end badly dented.

She'd bought it for Logan when she first started making good money.

He'd been so touched that he'd teared up. He used to wipe it down several times a day and was almost afraid to take it out for a drive.

And now he'd used that very car to run her down.

"Alright, you got your revenge. That's enough. Let's get her to the hospital."

Logan scooped Summer into his arms. He was about to lay her in the back seat when Vivian stopped him, frowning.

"Not in the back seat! I don't want her blood stinking up the car. Throw her in the trunk!"

Summer felt Logan's arms tighten around her. He hesitated, then opened the trunk and laid her inside.

The trunk lid slammed shut, plunging Summer into darkness. Cold surrounded her, but the chill settling deep inside her was worse.

Their voices carried clearly from the front seat, mingling with the sounds of kissing.

Vivian tugged playfully at Logan's tie and purred, "You were so good for me today, Logan."

Logan gently pushed her away, his voice hoarse. "Alright, that's enough. I still need to get Summer to the hospital."

"You really do whatever I tell you, don't you? I told you to run her over, and you actually did it. If you care so little about her, why don't you just divorce her?"

Logan was silent for a moment before starting the engine.

"No. She's my wife. A divorce would hurt the company."

But then Vivian tugged her neckline aside. "Look, Logan. I'm wearing that new outfit I bought. You sure you still want to go to the hospital?"

The engine cut off immediately.

Moments later, moans and breathless gasps drifted back from the front seat.

Curled up in the cold trunk, Summer felt the car begin to rock. She was beyond tears now, too numb to feel the hurt anymore.

In the end, the man who'd once cherished and protected her had betrayed her completely.

Suddenly, a searing pain shot through her head, and everything went black.