Chapter 2

The ninety-eighth time, she indulged him after he killed our child.

The ninety-ninth time, she indulged him and helped him evade justice.

Vivian Blake really had only one chance left.

The exhaust dust pulled me back to reality.

Caleb once said he could only sit in the passenger seat, and he only didn't get carsick when Vivian drove.

"Then let's use one chance. You can take a cab anyway."

Ever since I nodded that time, Vivian's car had become his private ride. She no longer needed to ask me even once.

I took a cab back to the hospital.

I'd injured my arm saving Vivian from the car.

The doctor had told me not to leave the hospital casually, or the wound might get infected badly enough to require amputation.

But I dragged my injured body into court anyway.

In return, I got this.

Just as I reached the hospital entrance, someone stopped me.

"Ms. Blake instructed us that, to avoid any exposure and reduce public pressure, you... may not continue recovering here. The entire hospital is now serving Mr. Caleb Quinn alone while he receives treatment for depression."

My injured arm trembled with pain. I stood there, stunned.

This was Vivian's private hospital, open twenty-four hours a day.

Yet it couldn't spare me a bed for three days.

From one of the rooms, I heard Caleb and Vivian laughing and messing around.

"You promised I'd only stay one day. Liar, liar."

"Who're you calling a liar? Hm?"

More laughter followed.

I met the staff member's embarrassed eyes, then turned to leave.

But Vivian tapped on the window and poked her head out.

"Nathan, I'll be staying here with Caleb. Tomorrow morning, make the plain meatballs he likes, and the lean pork porridge I like.

"And whatever you like... just make that too."

Before I could answer, the window slammed shut.

Sweat gathered on my forehead, but my whole body felt cold.

I couldn't bear to listen to the laughter anymore, so I limped into a cab and went to the public hospital to get medication.

By the time I got home, it was past five in the morning.

I opened the notebook dedicated to our agreement and recorded the two betrayals.

To be honest, the agreement had started as a joke between us.

I never imagined the day would really come when the tally filled up this much.

After writing them down one by one, I called my father.

"My good son, you've finally agreed to study at law school abroad?"

I had graduated in law too.

But Vivian knew how hard this career was, and she was afraid I'd suffer, so she refused to let me become a lawyer.

She said that as my wife, she'd always fight for justice for me.

I gambled my career on her.

Only now did I realize I'd lost that bet.

"Yeah.

"And I'll overturn the case myself. I'm also getting a divorce."

My father didn't sound surprised. He only sounded disappointed in me.

"I told you a long time ago that girl's ridiculous agreement shouldn't have been accepted in the first place. But you've already used them all up?"

I swallowed a painkiller with difficulty and pressed my lips together.

"Almost."

As soon as I said that, Vivian's puzzled voice came from behind me.

"What's almost?"

I hung up calmly and pointed to the rice porridge bubbling in the pot.

"The porridge is almost ready. Go eat."

Vivian didn't say much. Her gaze landed on the painkillers on the table, and her brows shifted.

"Don't take it personally that I didn't let you stay in the hospital."

Then she handed me a paper bag.

"I shouldn't have asked you to cook porridge today either. It's our anniversary. I didn't forget."

My head snapped up.

Every year on our anniversary, Vivian would never fail to give me a gift and cook for me herself.