Chapter 3

Jenna Frost POV

Eight years ago, when I accompanied my father on a business trip, I encountered Peyton on the street, barely clinging to life.

I didn't want to get involved, but Peyton grabbed my foot desperately.

He was filthy and disheveled, but his eyes shone with startling brightness.

I was moved by his will to survive and begged my father to save him.

When he woke, I stood by his hospital bed and asked.

"Will you be my bodyguard and protect me for life?"

"I will."

Peyton answered without hesitation.

From then on, wherever I was, Peyton would be there.

Over eight years, he took two bullets for me, broke three ribs, fractured part of his skull, and nearly died several times.

Everyone said I was the person on Peyton's heart-touch her and die.

From that moment on, I gave him everything I had, including my family's company.

Until Carmen appeared, and Peyton became like a different person.

He forgot his promises and became Carmen's protector. Whatever Carmen wanted, Peyton would provide.

I told myself again and again that he was just after novelty, and once the novelty wore off, he'd come back.

But only now did I understand-there was never any such thing as novelty. He simply didn't love me anymore.

Since Peyton's heart had changed, I didn't want this version of him either.

Three days later, I was discharged and went home.

Most traces of me in the living room had been erased. My usual books were replaced with manga, my favorite aromatherapy scent was changed, my beloved flowers swapped for red roses.

Even my bedroom decor had been changed to the pink Carmen preferred.

When Peyton came through the door pulling Carmen by the hand, carrying shopping bags, their interlaced fingers stabbed at my eyes.

"Jenna, don't misunderstand."

Sensing my gaze, Carmen hastily pulled her hand free.

"It's not what you think. Peyton said my body hasn't recovered yet and I need quiet rest, so he insisted I stay in this sunny room."

She approached, trying to take my hand, but I stepped aside to avoid her.

Carmen's hand froze in mid-air, her expression even more pitiable.

"Jenna, are you still angry at me about your mother? I'm sorry. I thought missing a few organs wouldn't matter."

Watching her pretense and thinking of my mother's tragic state, I couldn't help wanting to kill her.

"Get away from me!"

I growled.

At this, Carmen's legs gave way and she actually knelt before me.

"Jenna, why don't you hit me? As long as it makes you feel better, even if you beat me to death, I'm willing."

Without hesitation, I stepped forward and slapped her face askew.

"You think I wouldn't dare?"

The words had barely left my mouth when Peyton grabbed my hand before I could pull it back, the pain making me gasp.

"Jenna Frost!"

He called me by my full name, his voice cold as ice.

"Haven't you caused enough trouble? Do I need to lock you up too before you learn to behave?"

Carmen stood behind him, covering her face and sobbing softly.

"Peyton, don't blame Jenna..."

Peyton said coldly, "Carmen, hit her back!"

Carmen didn't react immediately, frozen in place covering her face, timidly shaking her head.

"Peyton, it's not necessary. I'm really fine..."

"I said hit her back!"

Peyton stared at me and repeated.

"No one gets to hit my people without consequences."

He gripped my wrist tightly, ignoring the shock in my eyes.

Encouraged by his gaze, Carmen raised her hand and slapped me back.

"Again!"

I didn't expect Peyton to say this. A gleam of delight flashed in Carmen's eyes as she gave me over a dozen slaps in succession.

My face swelled instantly red, my mouth filling with the taste of blood.

Peyton released my hand, turned to take Carmen's hand and blew gently on it.

"Now we're even. Remember, don't let there be a next time."

I stood there, the burning pain on my face not even one ten-thousandth of what I felt in my heart.

My heart finally died in that moment.