Chapter 4

Just as my 25th birthday was ending, I felt a searing pain in my stomach.

Before I could even call 911, I lost consciousness.

When I woke up, I was in a hospital room, with only a nurse present.

"Who brought me here?"

Seeing me awake, the nurse quickly explained, "Professor Asher brought you in. He saved you."

"Your condition was very serious last night, and we needed a family signature. We called your emergency contact numerous times using your phone, but no one answered. In the end, Professor Asher took the risk and signed for you."

I scrolled through my phone. All the calls were to Liam.

Dozens of calls, and he hadn't picked up a single one.

When I was in critical condition, needing a family signature, he was with another woman.

Lying on the cold hospital bed, a wave of sadness washed over me.

In my moment of crisis, it wasn't my husband who saved me, but my childhood rival.

The hospital room door opened, pulling me back to reality.

"How are you feeling now?"

Seeing Asher after so many years, I felt a little disoriented.

He had changed so much since we were kids.

If the nurse hadn't called him Professor Asher, I might have thought I'd mistaken him for someone else.

A soft chuckle came from above me. "Elara, my dear, you ungrateful wretch, you haven't forgotten me, have you?"

Yes, this was the annoying, irritating Asher I remembered.

My physical condition was dire.

Especially after drinking so much alcohol yesterday.

If Asher hadn't saved me, I'd be dead already.

I also just learned that Asher had been abroad for years and was now a renowned Professor in the medical field.

He was now my attending physician.

"Elara, my dear, if you want my help, you have to be a good girl and cooperate with my treatment."

I couldn't die yet; I still had so much left to do.

I was comfortable in the hospital, but that comfort was soon shattered.

Because I ran into Chloe.

She looked me up and down, her eyes full of triumph.

"Elara, I'm so sorry, really. It was your 25th birthday that day, but because of my troubles, Liam had to abandon you to take care of me."

There weren't many people around, and Liam wasn't with her, so she dropped the act.

I sneered, then slapped her. "What's there to be sorry about when you're the other woman? I think you quite enjoy the role."

Chloe hadn't expected me to hit her; her face instantly hardened.

She walked closer, whispering, "Elara, do you really think you're still the pampered heiress you used to be? What if you're married to Liam now? It doesn't change the fact that your dad is a murderer and your mom is in a vegetative state! Seeing you so miserable, pathetic like a dog, that's all the satisfaction I need."

I glared at her furiously. "Chloe, are my parents' troubles connected to you?"

She didn't answer, but her triumphant smile, that challenging look in her eyes, was all the confirmation I needed.

It was her, indeed!

I raised my hand, wanting to tear this woman apart.

But before I could, I felt a sharp pain in my wrist.

Liam's voice came from behind me.

"Elara! Why do you always target her? Take your anger out on me; she's innocent!"

She's innocent?

What about my family?

What about us?!

"Liam, let go! You're hurting my hand."

I cried out dramatically, and as he instinctively loosened his grip, I slapped him hard across the face.

"You're pathetic!"

Liam stared at me, dumbfounded, his eyes filling with rage.

I didn't bother with them anymore, just ran out.

I glanced back. He didn't follow.

Chloe was sobbing uncontrollably. "Liam, I truly love you… I'd die without you."

I saw his face soften with immense pity.

"I won't leave you."

Then he leaned down and kissed Chloe, fiercely, desperately.