Chapter 2
A ringing phone in the quiet hospital room jolted me out of my thoughts.
Anya’s sweet voice came from Nicholas’s phone.
“Nicholas, do you remember what day it is today?”
“I remember today is 15 years since we first met,” he answered.
Nicholas couldn’t even recall my birthday, but he knew exactly the day he met Anya.
“Are you at the hospital? I want to go visit Briella.”
In my past life, Anya never came to visit me when I was sick.
That’s because back then, Nicholas had already accepted the task Gavin and I gave him, and he left for abroad right after visiting my ward.
A short time later, the ward door opened.
Anya came over to talk to me, holding a basket of fruit and with her stomach looking a little bigger.
“Briella, why didn’t that male friend who was with you yesterday come to visit you? I saw you two seemed really close. I was so jealous when he carried you into the hospital like a princess, even though you were drunk.”
I was drinking water and choked when Anya said that.
The male friend Anya was talking about is Edward. We grew up together.
Nicholas disliked Edward the most because Edward always seemed to
outdo him.
When they were younger, Edward got better grades and got along better with everyone than Nicholas did.
As an adult, Edward became a successful business leader with lots of
connections.
“Do you mean Edward?”
Nicholas’s expression turned stormy.
Before I could say anything, Anya spoke up for me.
“Yes, Edward! I heard that Edward isn’t married yet because the person he likes is already married. That person couldn’t be Briella, could it…?”
Before she could finish, Nicholas grabbed the glass by the bed and threw it, shattering it on the floor.
I gasped sharply and watched as pieces of glass bounced up and cut my
arm.
Nicholas completely ignored it.
“Briella Griffith, so all your ‘client gathering‘ was just an excuse to be with him! Have you two been seeing each other for a long time?
“So you’re planning to have your ex–lover sign the contract?”
Nicholas’s voice was terrifying, like it came from hell, making Anya tremble with fear.
I didn’t answer him. Instead, I just pulled out the broken glass, letting the blood drip.
The atmosphere in the ward turned tense.
“Wow, Briella, that necklace you’re wearing is so pretty. Did Nicholas give it to you?”
Before I could even react, Nicholas had already pulled off the necklace and put it in Anya’s hand.
“Feel free to take it if you like,” he said.
“Nicholas, what’s wrong with you? My mom left that for me. What right do you have to get rid of my belongings?”
I was so mad that I grabbed a pillow and tossed it at Nicholas, letting my tears fall.
“I’m your husband, so of course I can decide what happens to it. Don’t forget, your family went broke, and your mom got sick with cancer. My family paid for you to live. I rescued you. Everything you have come from me.”
He acted like it was completely normal, which made it hurt even more.
I recall a time when Anya visited my house, and my dog accidentally got some fur on her. She had a bad allergic reaction and ended up in the hospital, and then Nicholas brutally beat the dog to death.
“Don’t be upset, Briella.”
Anya reached out like she was going to give me back the necklace, but Nicholas put his hand up to stop her.
“Why would you give it back? Just keep it if you like it. Don’t worry about her. She’ll be fine soon.”
Anya put the necklace in her pocket, then turned and left the room to answer her phone.
I closed my eyes, feeling completely hopeless.
Chapter 2
I always remembered the Taymor family’s past kindness, so I endured every injustice in silence. Because of this, Nicholas’s behavior just got worse over time.
Now, they even wanted to steal the keepsake my mother had given to me.
