Chapter 2 Just a Bowl of Soup

When Ian walked through the door, the first thing he saw was Rose, hands clasped tightly, apologizing repeatedly.

"What's your problem now, Hazel?! Rosie came here out of concern for you!" he snapped.

The housekeeper looked flustered, about to explain, but Rose spoke first, her voice soft and trembling. "Ian, don't be mad. It's my fault. I couldn't resist when I smelled the soup—it just smelled so good. I only meant to take a sip, but before I knew it, I finished the whole thing. Hazel had every right to be upset…"

Her eyes brimmed with tears, and Ian's anger vanished instantly, replaced by tenderness. "It's just a bowl of soup. You can have all you want once you're discharged. Why make a fuss with Rosie over something so trivial?"

He turned coldly to the housekeeper. "Rosie hasn't had much of an appetite lately, and since she happens to like your soup, go back and make another pot, then send it over to her villa."

The housekeeper nodded hurriedly and scurried out.

Ian's expression softened again as he leaned down to wipe the tears from Rose's cheeks. "Stop crying, or your eyes will look really puffy."

Rose gave a watery laugh and threw herself into his arms. "You're teasing me again."

They left the ward together, still laughing and whispering, until the corridor fell silent once more. I realized then that the same old misunderstandings, scoldings, and accusations—things that once made my chest ache—no longer stirred anything inside me. I didn't want to argue, didn't want to cry, didn't even want to explain anymore.

…

An hour later, while the doctor came to check my wounds, one of Ian's men swaggered into the room, urging me to leave the hospital as soon as possible. His enemies were still restless, they said.

One of them, perhaps out of pity, asked if I needed extra painkillers. I shook my head. "It's fine." These pains were nothing new to me. I was long used to them.

They drove me home and left me at the gate, tossing the bag of medicine into my hands before speeding off. Ian didn't care about me, so his men didn't see me with any regard. To them, I was nothing.

When I opened the door, the house was empty. Even the part-time cleaner was gone. Then, Ian's call came, his voice as cold and detached as ever. "Rosie's not feeling well. Your housekeeper's more attentive, so I had her and the others go over to help. You'll be staying by yourself for a few days. Once Rosie's better, they'll return."

He said it so naturally, as if the one who'd been stabbed five times and nearly died wasn't me—but her.

"Got it."

He paused for a while, sensing my distant tone. "Write down what you want to eat. The housekeeper will make it for you once she's back."

"Got it."

Even through the phone, I could sense his frown.

"Why are you giving me an attitude? It's just a bowl of soup! Hazel Tanner, don't forget—I told you the day I married you that you were only here to protect Rosie. Don't think that just because you've been Mrs. Sutherland for three years, you can put yourself above her!"

I nodded mechanically. "Got it."

"You—" His anger flared again, but before he could finish, Rose's voice called from somewhere close by. "Ian, come have some cake!"

The line went dead.

Forty-eight hours left until erasure.

I felt hungry, but when I went into the kitchen, I realized everything had been taken—the fridge was completely empty. Because of Ian's status, he never allowed me to order takeout. I rummaged through the cupboards until I found a single expired packet of instant noodles.

The kettle had been broken for weeks, so I used hot water from the heater to soak the noodles and set the bowl on the dining table.

My phone buzzed—Rose was streaming again. This time, they weren't at the villa. From the background, it looked like a hot spring resort. Rose sat in a loose T-shirt, eating chocolate cake while chatting with her viewers. The man off-camera occasionally fed her a bite with a fork, his hand gentle and familiar.

'Can't you show more couple moments? That hand alone looks like it belongs to a total heartthrob!'

Rose giggled. "My boyfriend's the most handsome man in the world. Every time he smiles, my heart melts. He pursued me first, but I was too shy, too scared… It took me this long to finally say yes. The cake's sweet, but not as sweet as we are."

The man's hand reached in to ruffle her hair, and she giggled again, cheeks flushed pink.