Chapter 2

Chapter 2

An invisible tether dragged my spirit along behind Devon.

As the scenery turned familiar, I realized we were back at the suburban house we once shared.

The lush vegetable garden I had planted was gone, completely replaced by colorful rosebushes.

I still remembered the day Devon asked me to move out, claiming we needed personal space before getting married.

It turned out he just wanted private space for the two of them.

Before I could dwell on the past, I followed him inside.

When the front door swung open, Rosie was collapsed on the floor surrounded by shattered glass. She looked up through tear-filled eyes, looking devastatingly fragile.

"Devon... am I going to be a useless burden for the rest of my life?"

Heartbroken, Devon immediately scooped her up into his arms and set her gently on the couch.

"You are not a burden, Rosie. You are the most wonderful girl in the world."

"It is my fault for putting the glass up so high. Do not cry, please do not cry."

The tender anguish in his eyes was painfully genuine.

"Does anything else hurt?"

Rosie clutched her chest, sobbing softly.

"My heart hurts. Hearing the glass smash just reminded me of the day I fell and broke my legs. If I had known life would be like this, I should have just died that day!"

Devon pulled her closer, kissing her forehead to soothe her.

"Do not say that. I swear I will find the best doctors in the country to get you walking again. We still have to go skiing in Aspen together!"

Rosie buried her face in his chest, weeping softly.

I watched them in agonizing silence. When their lips pressed together in a passionate kiss, I finally forced myself to look away.

Yet with the sound of their soft whispers filling the room, I could not escape this confined space.

My chest ached fiercely.

Devon, if you knew I had already died on that stormy road, would you feel even a fraction of that heartbreak for me?

I stared at the roses swaying violently in the storm outside, and my mind drifted back to the day we met.

Back then, he had collapsed from exhaustion in the hallway of a club. Seeing a creepy stranger trying to drag him away, I stepped in and paid for a hotel room so he could rest safely.

When he woke up, his clear, innocent eyes widened as he saw me sitting beside the bed, clutching the blanket instinctively.

Realizing he was safe, he breathed a sigh of relief and shyly whispered a thank-you.

Seeing that he was fine, I got up to leave, but he quickly grabbed my hand.

"Can you take me with you? I am a really hard worker. I do not even need pay―just let me repay your kindness."

I took a slow drag from my cigarette, stayed silent for a long time, and finally agreed.

Even now, I still could not explain why I said yes back then.

I brought him to my company and personally taught him how to manage business operations.

Though he seemed naive at first, he possessed an extraordinary talent for business.

Within a single year, he elevated the entire company to new heights. He knelt before me, looking up with absolute devotion.

"Willa, I promise I will give you a life full of freedom and happiness."

Having been deprived of warmth for so long, my heart melted, and I smiled and nodded.

Gradually, I handed over more executive power to him until I managed very little.

Only after all real authority had been stripped from my hands did I discover he had a first love whom he cherished deeply.

For years, I survived on the crumbs of affection he tossed my way, growing weaker under his sweet words.

Until he finally agreed to marry me.

I was so overwhelmed with joy that I posted our photo on Instagram.

I never expected his first love, Rosie, to see it and plunge into despair, throwing herself off a second-floor balcony and paralyzing her legs.

When I rushed to the hospital, I found Rosie's parents sobbing uncontrollably, and Devon glaring at me with venom in his eyes.

He charged forward and slammed me violently against the hospital wall.

"Willa Scott, are you insane? You knew she could not handle seeing us together, yet you still posted it! Did I ever guarantee I would actually marry you?"

The impact made my head spin with blinding pain, and I could only struggle helplessly against his grip.

"If she never walks again, I will make sure your entire life is a living hell!"