Chapter 2

Valentina's eyes flashed with instant fury.

She stalked over to me, her face grim, and slapped me hard. Her voice was sharp, cutting.

"You're nothing but a stray dog I picked up. How dare you speak to your owner like that?"

My head snapped to the side from the blow.

The wounds on my back tore at my nerves, but it was less than a thousandth of the pain in my heart.

Julian's eyes flickered with triumph. He magnanimously pulled Valentina’s arm, drawing her into his embrace.

"It's okay, my love. A little hurt doesn't matter to me. Don't let yourself get upset."

Valentina snorted, but when her eyes met Julian's, she softened into a tender smile.

"Let's go, darling. We're dining at The Azure Willow Bistro."

My heart gave a sharp lurch.

The Azure Willow Bistro was a new restaurant, specializing in dishes from my roots.

I’d pestered Valentina for ages to go with me, but she always irritably refused.

I thought she just didn’t like that kind of food.

Turns out, she just didn't want to go with *me*.

The crowd dispersed instantly.

Gritting my teeth, I forced myself to stand, enduring the agonizing pain as I headed home. I pulled out the first-aid kit to treat my wounds.

Valentina’s words echoed in my mind, refusing to fade.

Years ago, surrounded by thugs, I fought like a man possessed, taking on ten of them at once, utterly fearless.

The thugs lay sprawled on the ground, beaten, and I was bleeding from a head wound, leaning against a wall, gasping for breath.

Valentina, in high heels, crouched before me, a radiant smile on her face.

That’s how she brought me home.

Over the years, she gave me money and power, taught me everything, and even gave me her love.

A bitter, self-mocking laugh escaped me.

Perhaps it was just this face, slightly resembling Julian Thorne's, that made her feel a spark of pity for me.

My phone rang. I picked it up without thinking.

From the other end, Valentina’s heavy, breathless gasps of passion filled my ear.

"Liam, grab me a maid costume from the closet and bring it to The Grandeur Hotel. Hurry… please."

Then, I heard a man's soft chuckle.

The next second, the call abruptly ended.

My head felt like it would explode, a pulsing vein throbbing in my temple.

Valentina and Julian were at a hotel, and she wanted *me* to bring them a sexy outfit?

I slammed my fist onto the desk.

Then, I stormed into the bedroom and shredded every piece of clothing in her closet, tossing them out.

An icy chill, however, settled deep within my chest.

Valentina once smiled at me, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "Liam, I'm choosing you for life. These clothes, I'll only ever wear for you."

A wave of revulsion surged through my chest, a suffocating pressure making me feel like I would explode.

A message soon arrived.

Julian had sent a photo. Valentina, her face prettily flushed and heavy-lidded, was asleep in his arms.

[My love is too tired from our fun, she’s sleeping.]

[If it weren't for your face, she never would have brought you home.]

[Remember, you're nothing but a cheap imitation.]

I sneered, a cold, harsh laugh escaping me, and immediately blocked and deleted him.

Valentina didn't come home that night.

The next morning, I was treating my wounds again.

The door pushed open. Valentina walked in, naturally taking the ointment from my hand.

Her slender fingers gently applied the cream to my back.

Every muscle in my body stiffened.

Valentina's voice was full of concern. "Liam, please don't be angry with me. Yesterday was my fault. You must be in so much pain, aren't you?"