Chapter 2

Ellie's hands shook as she dialed 911. She didn't have the strength to stay conscious, finally succumbing to the darkness only when she heard the distant wail of the siren.

When she woke, it was the next day. Tubes and monitors snaked across her body, tethering her to the beeping machines.

The doctor was furious, his tone sharp with a mix of professional outrage and personal disbelief.

"I explicitly told you no intercourse after a major surgery like that! Your husband has no self-control? This was reckless to the point of being life-threatening. The internal sutures tore. If you hadn't gotten here in time, you would have bled out."

"I'm sorry, Doctor. Thank you for everything," Ellie whispered, her voice thin.

His expression softened slightly at her pale, fragile state.

"I'm not the one you should be apologizing to. Your husband is the one with no regard for your well-being. You need to call a family member. Have someone stay with you. I won't accept you as a patient if there's no one to look after you."

He left, and a heavy loneliness settled in Ellie's chest. She had no one to call.

At seventeen, her parents died in a car accident, leaving her an orphan. Her uncle, Carl Winbury, became her guardian and systematically transferred over the estate and company they left behind, even taking their home.

At nineteen, that same uncle, drunk and muttering her late mother's name, had broken into her room and nearly assaulted her. She had fled that house for good and never looked back.

Not wanting to be a burden, she called her best friend, Heather Smith. Thirty minutes later, Heather burst into the room. After she got the full story from a nurse, her face was a mask of pure fury.

"That bastard, Derek! He does this to you and can't even be bothered to show up? Give me his number—I'll make sure he never hears out of that ear again!"

Ellie shook her head weakly. "There's no point."

Calling him now would only add humiliation to injury. It would make him despise her even more. A quiet, dignified exit was better than a messy scene.

Heather was practically vibrating with frustration—half out of sympathy, half out of helplessness.

"Four years ago, you were so excited to get married. I thought you'd landed the dream. Turns out you signed up for a nightmare." She let out a sharp, exasperated breath. "Derek ignores you and lets everyone walk all over you. What were you even holding on for?"

"His money?" Heather scoffed. "But the man is so cheap your own allowance gets filtered through that wretched housekeeper!"

She fixed Ellie with a piercing look. "Ellie, did Derek save your life in a past one or something? Why this undying loyalty?"

A bitter smile touched Ellie's lips. "Yes. He did save my life."

When her parents died and she was drowning in grief, he had been her only light. She had fallen for him and never found her way back.

But now… she pressed a hand to her lower abdomen. She had nearly died for him twice. That was more than enough to repay any debt. From now on, she owed him nothing.

She spent a week in the hospital with Heather by her side. Derek never called, not once.

The morning of her discharge, Heather was helping her from the ward when the corridor erupted into a frenzy—nurses rushing, excited whispers everywhere.

"The new Associate Chief is here—she's only twenty-five, and a woman!"

"No way, that young?"

"She studied abroad, won a ton of international awards. She's a total prodigy!"

"And she's gorgeous. Rumor is her mystery billionaire boyfriend donated an entire new wing to the hospital for her!"

Heather, bored from the long week, perked up immediately. "Come on, let's go see the circus!"

A crowd had gathered outside the main entrance. The hospital administration was rolling out the red carpet, with the director himself there to greet the newcomer. To avoid the chaos, Ellie and Heather lingered at the back of the crowd.

A sleek black luxury car glided to a stop. A man and a woman stepped out. The crowd blocked the woman's face, but the man's height and imposing presence made him stand out immediately.

Ellie's breath hitched; the silhouette was painfully familiar.

When the couple turned, her heart stalled.

It was Derek.

"Is that Dr. Winbury's boyfriend? He's the CEO of Housten Group! He's even more handsome in person!"

"I saw him on the news! He bought that insane diamond necklace for her. Now he's making a public appearance with her? That's so over-the-top."

"Dr. Winbury is so lucky. Beauty, brains, and a perfect man."

The murmurs and gasps swirled around Ellie like an icy wind, sharp and biting. The moment Heather saw Derek's face, she erupted.

"That son of a bitch!" she seethed under her breath. "He left you to die alone, but he can parade around in public with his mistress?"

Heather looked ready to storm through the crowd and cause a scene, but Ellie held her back firmly.

"Don't, Heather. Let's just go back."

The divorce was decided. She didn't need to make this any uglier.

Heather fumed but, fearing the stress would harm Ellie's fragile recovery, reluctantly helped her friend back to the ward.

"That bastard! Married and flaunting his affair like it's nothing!" Heather raged, pacing the room. "And that home-wrecker doctor! Aren't doctors supposed to have morals?"

Ellie listened, her face a calm mask that hid the sharp pain inside her chest.

Heather, who knew the depth of Ellie's love for Derek, watched her with concern. "Are you okay?"

Ellie forced a small, tight smile. "I'm fine. I've already decided to divorce him."

She'd left the signed papers in the bedroom. He would see them soon enough—maybe next month, during his obligatory visit.

Heather stared, her anger replaced by stunned surprise. "Wait, you're serious? You're really divorcing Derek?"

Ellie nodded, her resolve firm. "Yes. My mind is made up."

Outwardly, she was composed. Inwardly, she was being torn in two. She had loved him for seven years; his name was carved into the very core of her being. She knew freeing herself would require tearing him out of her heart, leaving her raw and bleeding. But even if it destroyed her, she would end it.

"That's the best news I've heard all year, Ellie!" Heather cried, her excitement bubbling over. "You're incredible! You're beautiful, you're smart—there are a thousand men better than that cheater. Why waste your life on him?

"Get the divorce, fast! The second you're free, we are going out! I'm talking models, hot nerds, sweet guys, gym rats—whatever you want! We're going to play the field and live our best lives!"