Chapter 2
Annabelle’s parents, Dominic Winslow and Camilla Brightwood, hadn’t expected her to agree so readily. They were somewhat surprised by her response.
“Have you really thought it through? When will you come back? Should we arrange the wedding, or will you come back to meet the person you’ll be marrying and talk things through with him first?”
But Annabelle was too drained to think about these matters. She replied offhandedly, “You can decide. I’ll head back as soon as I tie up some loose ends here.”
Dominic and Camilla could hear the weariness in her voice, so they quickly ended the call after offering her some words of advice.
The room fell silent once more, and it was only then that Annabelle gathered the strength to get up and head to the bathroom.
When she came back out again, she pushed the door open and immediately locked eyes with Nathan, who was on the couch.
“Why did you leave without telling me?”
Annabelle’s breath hitched in her chest. Lowering her head to hide her reddened eyes, she answered, “My phone died, so I came back.”
Nathan didn’t think much of her casual excuse. Instead, he reached out to pull her into his embrace. Then, with a light tug, he loosened the belt of her bathrobe.
But Annabelle didn’t give him the chance to go any further. She grabbed his hand before he could reach in.
“Didn’t we just have a few rounds at the club earlier on? It’s only been a few hours.”
Nathan didn’t sense the reluctance in her tone and interlaced his fingers with hers.
“It’s been too long. Don’t you know that just seeing you makes me lose control? Bells, I love you so much.”
Annabelle felt nothing but irony when she heard his deliberately flirtatious words once again.
Love? Wasn’t she just a tool for him to practice on? He’d had her thousands of times in the past five years. Hadn’t he had enough yet?
She turned away to avoid his kiss and asked frostily, “Is that so? And what if you could never have me again?”
Nathan finally sensed something was off and paused. “You love me, and I love you. We’re in love with each other. Why would I never have you again?”
It was ironic he claimed they loved each other.
Annabelle didn’t respond to his question and forced a smile before she changed the topic. “Just a random thought. Anyway, I got caught in the rain on the way back and don’t feel well now. I’ll go and rest up.”
Seeing how pale she looked, Nathan didn’t push any further. He pressed several kisses on her forehead and was about to carry her to the bedroom when his phone rang on the table. He picked it up and tapped on the screen.
Out of the corner of her eye, Annabelle caught a glimpse of the person who’d texted him—a contact saved as “Evie”.
“I’m back, Nate. But it’s pouring outside, and I can’t get a cab. What now?”
After reading the text message, Nathan set Annabelle on the couch and got up. “Bells, there’s something I need to deal with. You go ahead and sleep. Don’t wait for me.”
He’d barely even finished his sentence when the door slammed shut behind him.
Annabelle’s gaze flickered ever so slightly before she silently went back to the bedroom. After drying her hair, she buried herself under the blanket and switched off the lights.
Though her eyes were closed, she had a fitful sleep. Memories of her past with Nathan kept flashing in her mind.
He’d bought a necklace worth millions at an auction and personally fastened it around her neck, promising to buy a lifetime of diamonds for her.
He’d set off fireworks for three days and nights by the sea to celebrate her birthday, vowing that he’d give his all to her without reservation, all with a smile on his face.
He’d made a wish under a once-in-five-billion-years meteor shower, swearing to stay with her until the end of time and never let her go.
Though his promises still echoed in her ears, only now did she realize all his words had just been empty promises to appease her. He’d never intended to live the rest of his life with her.
As she drifted in and out of sleep, her body burned with fever, yet a chill spread through her skin and bones, making her shiver uncontrollably.
By morning, the bed was drenched in her sweat. When Nathan came back and saw how flushed her face was, all his drowsiness dissipated in an instant. Flustered, he picked her up and carried her all the way to the hospital.
Annabelle woke up in a daze just as they arrived. “Why am I here?”
“You were running a fever, so I brought you here for a check-up. How are you unable to take care of yourself when you’re already an adult?”
Nathan’s voice was tinged with urgency and concern as he helped her sit on a chair before turning around to queue at the registration counter. But he’d barely taken a few steps when he caught sight of Evelyn Mercer.
He was astounded. “Evie? What are you doing here? Didn’t I just send you home?”
Evelyn wore a white dress, looking as innocent and delicate as could be.
“I wanted to make some soup after I got home, but I accidentally scalded my hand, so I came to the hospital to get it treated.”
Seeing how the back of her hand had reddened, Nathan’s expression changed instantly.
A split second was all it took for him to forget all about Annabelle. He swiftly accompanied Evelyn to get herself registered, examined, and even pick up her medication. He soon forgot what he’d come there for in the first place.
As Annabelle watched their figures gradually disappear in the distance, she knew that Nathan wasn’t going to come back. She let out a self-deprecating chuckle, struggled to her feet, and began queuing on her own.
After the doctor’s consultation, she went to the infusion room for an IV drip. She had to sit there for three hours, but as fatigue took over her, she eventually dozed off.
With no one to remind her, the IV needle backed up, turning the bottle red.
A nurse rushed over and shook her awake. “Why are you at the hospital alone? Isn’t there anyone with you? Where’s your family? Or your boyfriend?”
Annabelle stared at her bruised hand and said, “My family isn’t in Vexford. And my boyfriend… I don’t have one.”
The very next moment, Nathan strode over. “Anna!”
The nurse replaced the IV bottle and berated him when she saw him. “You’re her boyfriend? Why didn’t you stay here to watch over her? The IV backed up. She could have been in danger!”
Nathan quickly grasped Annabelle’s hand when he saw how swollen it was. “I’m sorry. I ran into a friend and got caught up in conversation. I lost track of time. When I turned back, you were already gone. It took me quite a while to find you.”
Annabelle merely hummed in response, not exposing his lie.
