Chapter 2

After discussing with my parents, we decided to act as usual and go home. For the next few days, we couldn't let others notice anything amiss with us.

Otherwise, none of us would be able to leave with Erick's methods.

I returned home drenched to the bone and began packing my belongings.

The memorabilia, gifts, and videos-once treasured by me-were all thrown into the shredder.

The crunching sound of the gears felt like it was tearing apart and grinding down those deceitful feelings.

Just after dinner, my phone rang. Recognizing the number, I stepped out into the garden to answer it.

When I returned to the living room, Erick was sitting on the sofa, with Hannah perched on his lap. She snuggled up to him and looked fragile.

I walked past them flatly and went upstairs.

Erick's voice was icy. "Stop."

I halted but didn't look at him.

"Do you know why I brought her home?" he asked.

My voice was emotionless. "I'm not interested."

"Hannah was sent to that dangerous place by you. She was on edge every day and was almost ruined." Erick's voice was filled with anger. "You, get down on your knees and apologize to her."

I finally turned to face them.

Hannah burrowed further into his arms, but when he wasn't looking at her, a fleeting look of provocation crossed her eyes.

I said with a frosty tone, "What if I refuse to kneel and apologize?"

Hannah put on a frightened act. "Erick, it's okay. I can endure the grievance. After all, Kimberly is your wife."

Erick's arm around Hannah's waist tightened instantly. "I've told you countless times. Why are you still so humble?"

He gently kissed her eyelids and said, "I dote on you. Who dares to say something else?"

I couldn't help but scoff silently. It was disgusting.

The butler came over with some soup and said that it was specially cooked for Hannah.

Just then, the company's finance manager rushed in with an urgent document.

Erick glanced at the manager and said gently to Hannah, "You always get impatient when I work. I'll step out for a bit. Have the soup."

With that, Erick stood up and left.

I froze in place, and my heart twisted in a sudden pang of pain.

Erick had never discussed business outside to ensure confidentiality. But he was now willing to take risks for Hannah.

There were only Hannah and I left in the living room.

Her timid demeanor vanished, replaced by an even more blatant provocation.

"Do you get it now?" Hannah stepped forward and gripped my hand. Her voice was sharp. "Even though you're Mrs. Blake and used your position to send me away, Erick's heart and soul are entirely mine."

I broke free from him and said coldly, "Do you want him? I give him to you."

Hannah was furious. She grabbed my hand again, and her sharp nails nearly pierced my skin. "I don't need you to give him to me. He's my man, and this house's mistress can only be me."

At that moment, Erick's footsteps were heard outside.

A glint of malice flashed in Hannah's eyes as she pushed me away and threw herself to the floor.

"Ah!" Hannah screamed, her eyes brimming with tears.

Erick rushed in to see Hannah sprawled on the floor.

Her skin immediately started bleeding.

"Kimberly!" Erick's gaze was terrifyingly cold. "You refused to apologize and even dared to hurt her?"

"I didn't." I looked at Erick calmly. "Check the surveillance, and you'll know the truth."

Erick snorted, "Check it now."

Hannah immediately grabbed his arm and shook her head desperately. "Erick, it's not Kimberly's fault. I shouldn't have hoped to stay with you forever. If only I left..."

Just as Hannah was about to leave, Erick pulled her into his arms. "I went through so much to get you back. You want to leave me again? Are you trying to take my life?"

Erick held Hannah tightly and seemed to be afraid that she'd vanish into thin air.

He suddenly turned to me, and his anger was fully unleashed. "Kimberly, have you forgotten everything I've said? Why are you still standing there? Go and get the first aid kit."

Erick was blind to my hand pierced by Hannah's sharp nails.

Without arguing, I left to fetch the first aid kit. Then I placed it beside Erick and left the living room.

Back in my room, I applied antiseptic to the wound. The pain made me break out in a cold sweat. Yet it didn't compare to the ache in my heart.

Erick knew how important my hands were to me.

I had been an outstanding surgeon, and he had witnessed my skills.

When I was in the living room, he would have known Hannah was putting on an act as long as he had looked a little bit carefully.

Hannah knew I was Erick's wife, but she dared to act so ruthlessly because she had Erick backing her.

My hands...

I hoped to leave him and continue to be a surgeon with my hands and to realize the value of my life.

Since Hannah repeatedly challenged my limits, she shouldn't blame me for a counterattack.

I looked out of the window, and my reflection in the glass showed a sense of relief.

After treating my wound, I sent a message to that number. "I've submitted the divorce papers. Everything is going smoothly."