Chapter 2

He gave me one cold glance, then turned and pulled Vivian into his arms and murmured reassurances to her.

"Mrs. Prescott? She's a stranger, nothing more, and she dares to claim she's my wife."

"Don't let her fool you. I've seen plenty of people like her. They'll do anything for money. She'd even use the baby in her belly as a bargaining chip."

"Don't worry. A con artist like her, you could throw her into the flood and she still wouldn't die."

I scrambled for the edge of the rescue boat, desperately trying to grab hold, but he kicked me away with such force that I lost my grip.

When he looked down at me, his eyes held nothing but contempt.

"Leave her. Someone like her, you could throw her into the flood and she still wouldn't die."

"This'll teach her a lesson. Maybe she'll think twice before trying to pull a stunt like this again."

I closed my eyes, a bitter, self-mocking smile tugging at my lips.

I used to think his illness was so severe that he couldn't help forgetting me.

Only now did I understand. He just didn't care about me.

If he could remember everything, yet I was the only person he ever forgot, then he could spend the rest of his life forgetting me for all I cared.

The rescue boat sped off, and the raging current dragged me under.

Adrian Prescott never once looked back.

He never saw me slam my belly against a rock, and he never knew that blood was pouring between my legs.

Another huge wave crashed over me.

I shut my eyes in despair and stopped fighting as the water pulled me under.

When I opened them again, I was already at the hospital.

The nurse caring for me explained that a rescue worker had pulled me from the water.

The bleeding wouldn't stop, and I was rushed straight into the ER.

After running a battery of tests, the doctor turned to me with a grim expression.

"You've lost so much blood. There's no guarantee we can save the baby."

"Where's your family? Your condition is critical. We need to notify them right away and get someone here as soon as possible."

Before I could answer, the emergency room door burst open.

Adrian came rushing in with Vivian in his arms.

He didn't spare me a single look.

Instead, he hurried straight to the doctor, panic written all over his face.

"My assistant injured her leg. She cares so much about her looks, she can't afford to have a scar. I need you to treat her right now!"

I was lying there with blood pooling beneath me, but he didn't even spare me a glance.

Vivian had barely scratched her leg, and he was acting like it was a crisis.

The doctor brushed him aside, visibly irritated.

"Can't you see there's a pregnant woman here before her? Her condition is critical. If we don't treat her first, we could lose the baby."

Only then did Adrian turn to look at me.

When he recognized me, he didn't bother to hide the loathing in his eyes.

"It's you again? Pretending to be my wife wasn't enough for you? Now you're faking a medical emergency to fool the doctor, too?"

"Fine. I'll let your lies slide this time. But Vivi gets treated first."

I looked at the faint scratches on Vivian's leg, and my smile grew even more bitter.

The doctor opened his mouth to protest, but I reached out and grabbed his arm.

"I'm fine. Treat her first."

The doctor sighed and turned to treating Vivian's wound.

As he applied the antiseptic, she only winced slightly.

Adrian immediately knelt beside her, cradling her injured leg and gently blowing on the scratches as if that alone could ease her pain.

That tenderness in his eyes was all too familiar.

When we first got together, he was the same. Even the tiniest scratch on my skin used to leave him frantic with worry, his eyes reddening at the sight of my blood.

But I was no longer the woman who made his heart ache. That place belonged to someone else now.

Vivian's eyes, when they met mine, glittered with triumph.

As she passed by me, she leaned close to my ear, making sure Adrian couldn't hear her.

"Elise, I'm so sorry. Mr. Prescott has had another episode. I'm the only one he remembers right now."

"Don't worry. As soon as he comes to his senses, I'll make sure you're the first person I bring him to see."

Her tone was taunting, but I didn't break down like I once would have. I only watched them calmly and walked away.