Chapter 4

My world completely crumbled at that moment. Fake?

The accident that cost me my chance at life, the one he rushed to so selflessly, was fake?

I clutched the note, my knuckles white from the force.

The agonizing chest pain returned, more violent than ever before. I felt like a fish thrown onto shore, gasping for air, but only inhaling despair.

Liam rushed in. Seeing my state, he immediately pressed the emergency call button. Doctors and nurses swarmed into the room, connecting various instruments to me. Through my blurry vision, I saw Liam’s bloodshot eyes.

“Chloe, hang in there! Your brother’s here!”

I grabbed his hand, using my last ounce of strength to press the note into his palm.

“Investigate…” One word, and all my energy was gone. I drifted into unconsciousness.

When I woke up again, I was in the ICU.

Julian Thorne was sitting by my bedside, holding my hand. His eyes were bloodshot, and he looked utterly exhausted. Seeing me awake, a flicker of joy crossed his face.

“Chloe, you’re awake.”

His voice was hoarse, tinged with a hint of lingering fear. If he wasn't acting, I almost would have believed he genuinely cared. I pulled my hand away, looking at him coldly.

“Julian Thorne, you sicken me.”

His body stiffened, the expression on his face frozen.

“Chloe, I know you’re still angry.” He took a deep breath, attempting to explain. “This time was my fault. I promise, I’ll find you a new heart source as quickly as possible. I will save you.”

I looked at him and suddenly laughed.

“You save me? How will you save me? By fabricating another lie, by making me wait in vain again?”

His face turned grim. “Chloe, what on earth are you talking about?”

“Seraphina’s car accident was fake,” I stated, each word clear and deliberate.

His pupils abruptly constricted, a flicker of panic in his eyes, quickly masked. “Who told you that? Don’t listen to their nonsense.”

“Whether it’s nonsense or not, you know perfectly well.” I stared into his eyes, not missing any subtle change in his expression. “Julian Thorne, what exactly are you after?”

He fell silent. After a long moment, he finally spoke, his voice low and dangerous. “Chloe, some things, you don’t need to know.”

He stood up, looking down at me, his gaze as cold as a surgical scalpel.

“You just need to remember, you are my wife. Without my permission, you can’t go anywhere, and you certainly cannot die.”

He leaned closer, whispering in my ear. His tone wasn’t a lover’s murmur; it was a demon’s pronouncement. A chill ran through me.

I finally understood. He wasn’t trying to save me; he was trying to imprison me. This man was a madman.