Chapter 3

When I opened my eyes again, the air was thick with the smell of disinfectant.

I was being held down, kneeling by the door of a hospital room.

From a distance, I vaguely heard the housekeeper's trembling voice.

"Sir, Madam just had a miscarriage a few days ago, and her knees are still wounded. The floor is so cold, she won't be able to bear it."

"The doctor also said Miss Serena's condition isn't serious. It's better to let Madam treat her wounds first."

"Enough."

A cold glare silenced the housekeeper.

"Audrey won't kneel at the door, and Serena won't be able to sleep."

"It's just a minor procedure, she's been through it before."

The familiar scent of pine grew stronger. I closed my eyes, tears falling silently.

"Don't cry."

"Just bear with it a little longer. I have her lover's heart. I need to compensate her."

His voice was coaxing, filled with tenderness, but it only made me sick.

Two hours passed, and I was swaying precariously.

Suddenly, Serena in the hospital room let out a whimpering cry.

Julian's expression, which had softened slightly, immediately hardened.

"Hold her down. She must kneel until Serena wakes up tomorrow morning."

The nurse, unable to bear it, said that if the wounds on my knees weren't treated, they could easily become infected and lead to necrosis or even amputation.

The man didn't hesitate.

"Do as I say."

"Sir..."

I raised a hand to stop the housekeeper who was about to speak up for me, enunciating each word.

"It's fine. I'll kneel. I owe her, I should repay my debt."

"After I finish kneeling, we'll have nothing more to do with each other."

After I spoke, the man didn't agree. Instead, he furiously gripped my face.

"Who are you putting on this show for? Don't play these mind games with me, Audrey. You're thirty, not eighteen."

"I just want to repay a debt. Do you really need to act so pitiful?"

Serena's cries were just a murmur in her sleep.

Julian immediately plastered a smile on his face and went to her side.

I don't know how much time passed, but my world plunged into darkness again.

When I woke up again, Julian was asleep by my bedside, my hand clutched in his.

Feeling the steady beat of his heart, my eyes welled up, as if the catastrophe had never happened.

I pulled my hand back, waking him.

He reached out to check my forehead.

"When did you wake up? Are you still uncomfortable?"

I simply turned away.

"You made me miss my flight."

Julian had never seen me so distant, and an awkward silence lingered for a while.

When he saw me booking another flight on my phone, he couldn't help but ask.

"Where are you going for work?"

In the past, he would never have asked so much.

Before, even a little bit of concern from him would have thrilled me. Now, it just annoyed me.

"None of your business."

"I've spoiled you too much, you're getting completely out of control."

"Can't you learn to be a little gentle, like Serena?"

He just kept rambling on and on. Annoyed, I simply closed my eyes and pretended to be asleep.

He stormed out, leaving the hospital room in shambles.

The moment he left, I opened my phone and switched to another app.

I just clicked it open, and hundreds of messages flooded in.