Chapter 5

The first thing that met her eyes was the pale ceiling. When Quinn opened them, she found herself lying with an IV drip attached.

“President Montero truly treasures Mrs. Montero, risking his own life to save hers!”

“They say when the fire started, he was already at the exit. He could have escaped, but when he realized his wife wasn’t there, he ignored everyone holding him back and rushed in after her!”

The nurse ended her chatter, pulled out the needle, and quietly left.

Quinn’s fingers curled against the sheets. Her gaze lingered on the bandages wrapped across the back of her hand, her mind sinking into silence.

Drawn as if by a ghost, she stepped into Valerian’s hospital room.

At once, Valerian, propped against the headboard, caught sight of her, and his eyes brightened.

“Baby, you’re awake!” His voice carried deep worry. “You almost frightened me to death. Are you feeling unwell anywhere else?”

“Why did you go back?” Quinn asked.

“What?” Valerian’s brows drew together in puzzlement.

“The day of the exhibition, you could have gotten out, so why did you come back to save me?” Quinn’s words trembled despite herself. “The fire was so big, you knew you might die.”

“So that’s what weighed on your heart?” Valerian’s taut expression suddenly eased.

“Baby, you’re my wife. In that moment, nothing else mattered.” His voice carried gravity, his eyes steady and sincere. “I love you. To me, your life is worth more than mine.”

Her gaze sank into the depths of his dark eyes, and her heart grew heavy with bitterness.

‘Valerian, if love for her was gone, why had you defied instinct to save her life? But if love still remained, why did another woman also dwell in your heart? Your heart was unbearably vast.’

Quinn lowered her eyes and smoothed his blanket. She was just about to pour water when a voice broke the stillness.

“Mrs. Montero, I told you already, I won’t destroy your family. But not controlling your husband is one thing. Why would you go so far as to set fire to my exhibition?”

At the door, Juliette’s hair was slightly disheveled, her voice carrying sorrow.

“Those were works I poured my heart into. Why is your jealousy so overwhelming?”

Meeting Juliette’s resentful gaze, Quinn stood utterly stunned.

Valerian’s eyes swept over the wounds on Quinn’s arm, his heart aching as his tone cut sharply.

“Juliette, instead of tending to your injuries, what madness are you stirring here?!”

“President Montero, do you truly trust your wife so blindly?” Juliette’s reddened eyes glistened as she lifted her phone.

On the screen, a video flickered: a woman tearing a photo from the wall, stomping on it again and again with malice. Then came the sight of gasoline being poured, the spark of a lighter.

It showed only a back view. But the coat she wore was the very same one Quinn had worn that day.

“President Montero, I know you love your wife, but I deserve an explanation.” Juliette’s tears trembled, refusing to fall. “I may be poor, but I still have dignity. Every piece was born of my painstaking effort…”

“I didn’t. I didn’t do it. How could I possibly do such a thing?” Quinn’s voice came out wooden, hollow.

Valerian stiffly clasped Quinn’s hand, yet his gaze remained fixed on Juliette, who held the phone aloft.

The air froze for several seconds.

“Apologize,” Valerian murmured as he lowered his head, gently rubbing Quinn’s palm.

Quinn looked up at him in disbelief.

But suddenly, Valerian lifted his head, his sharp tone cutting through the silence, leaving no room for argument.

“Apologize to my wife!”

Juliette stared at him, stunned.

For a few long seconds, their eyes locked before she finally spat, “Bastard,” and stormed out.

“Quinn, she’s just a young girl who doesn’t understand. I’ll apologize on her behalf.” Valerian’s lips tugged into a distracted curve.

He pulled Quinn into his arms, though his gaze lingered at the doorway.

In the days that followed, Quinn remained at the hospital, tending to him.

The day before his discharge, Valerian insisted on sending her home, using the excuse that he wanted the soup she had made.

After finishing everything, Quinn began packing her luggage.

Halfway through, the door was pushed open.

“You came back earlier than…” Before she could finish, Valerian’s gaze swept over the luggage. Without another word, he seized her wrist and dragged her out.

“Valerian, you’re hurting me!” Quinn yanked herself free.

“Sorry, baby.” His tone softened, yet the smile on his lips never reached his eyes. “Didn’t you say you wanted to see the stars on the mountain? Since I’m free today, I’ll take you.”

Though something about him felt off, Quinn was still half-pulled, half-coaxed into the car.

On the mountaintop, Valerian told her, “I’ll go buy water,” and left her waiting there.

An hour later, rain began to fall.

Quinn looked around the desolate mountaintop and dialed his number. “Valerian, when are you….”

Before she could finish, the cold mechanical voice cut her off. “Sorry, the number you have dialed is temporarily unavailable…”