Chapter 4

I knew it – Noah was probably having another one of his 'episodes,' needing Chloe to rush to his side and play savior.

The moment she walked out the door, I made up my mind.

This relationship? I was done with it.

Leo walked in then, looking frantic, his face filled with urgency.

"Ryan, you have to see this. I just saw Noah acting really strange.

He was totally panicked, and he threw this thing away. I picked it up, and check this out.

You need to get yourself checked out, man."

Noah had syphilis. An HIV positive test report. He was actually sick.

I'd heard stories about people coming back from places like that, often carrying infectious diseases.

I’d suggested Chloe take Noah for a check-up before, but she just got angry and yelled at me.

"What health problems could Noah possibly have? Don't stress him out like that!"

Back then, I was afraid of upsetting her, so I dropped it. I never imagined it would actually come to this.

Now, thinking of him lying in my bed, wearing my clothes, using my things, and even Chloe herself being contaminated...

Goosebumps erupted all over me, my scalp crawled, and I gagged, bile rising in my throat.

I asked Leo to book me an appointment for a check-up.

At the same time, I hired a professional cleaning service to remove and dispose of absolutely everything in the house.

Within a day, every single thing in my house, from luxury items to furniture, was gone. Only the bare walls remained.

I listed the house for sale online. Because of its prime location, viewings were quickly booked.

I simply told the agent the selling price, and he handled the rest.

As for Chloe and Noah, they'd already moved out after our last fight.

So they had no idea I'd sold the house and scrubbed every trace of our life from it.

Everything, from the largest furniture to the smallest forks, Chloe and I had carefully chosen together.

Now, I just felt like it was all utterly tainted.

Soon, my test results came back: negative. A huge sigh of relief escaped me.

Truth be told, Chloe and I hadn't been intimate in a long time.

First, I was busy with work. Second, after Noah reappeared, she had no time for us, not even for a simple hand-hold or kiss.

Chloe, you've made your bed. I can no longer force myself to tolerate your irrational behavior. This is the path you chose.

When you discover the truth, I hope you don't regret it.

I checked myself out of the hospital and called my company to take some time off.

I also mailed Chloe the matching couple's rings we'd bought and booked a flight to the Silverwood Mountains, planning to hike and clear my head.

I was halfway up the mountain when Leo called me.

"Chloe's frantically looking for you! She got the ring you mailed her, went to the hospital, found out you'd been discharged, then ran to your company, and when she couldn't find you, she actually called the police! The cops even came to my place asking questions!"

"She's threatening me with a knife, trying to make me tell her where you are!"

Leo kept complaining.

"Dude! I risked my life and didn't sell you out! I'm planning to go on a trip to avoid this mess, you're reimbursing me!"

I hadn't expected Chloe to react so strongly, and I was worried about Leo.

"I've transferred a hundred grand to your account," I said. "Go have fun."

Knowing Chloe had been taken to the police station for threatening someone with a knife, and the knife confiscated, Leo was safe, so I didn't press for details.

If this were before, I would have rushed back immediately, stayed by Chloe's side, and prevented her from doing anything reckless.

Now, I felt utterly calm inside.

Anyway, I was enjoying my hike, and my mood was improving.

As I neared the summit, I saw a woman ahead of me trip and fall.

The path was narrow, with a sheer drop beside it, and the safety railing was just a flimsy wooden pole.

She hit the pole, her balance shifted backward, and just as she was about to tumble over the edge, she grabbed hold of the wooden post.

I rushed over, grabbed her, and pulled her back to safety.

When our eyes met, we both gasped at the same time.

"Grace!"

"Ryan, you..."