Chapter 3

3.

The room felt sterile and empty, smelling of disinfectant and a faint trace of expensive cologne. It made me anxious.

"Excuse me..."

I said, my voice barely a whisper. "Is there a female doctor available?"

I couldn't see his expression behind the mask, but I could feel his undisguised malice.

"In a doctor's eyes, there are only organs, not genders," Justin sneered. "Tyler always said you were difficult. I guess he was right."

I bit my lip so hard I tasted blood, forcing myself to stay calm.

I followed his instructions, lying back on the cold machine in utter humiliation, my legs spread apart.

Suddenly, I heard an insulting burst of laughter from above me.

"What's so funny?!" I yelled.

Justin held up a cotton swab, his tone flippant. "I thought you and Tyler had a good thing going. Turns out you need mustard to feel anything? Honestly, you could use some help."

He paused, his gaze turning even more vile. "I know a specialist who does excellent private tightening surgeries. I could get you a friends-and-family discount."

My mind exploded.

"What do you mean? Are you serious?"

I remembered waking up the morning after our wedding. Tyler was sitting on the edge of the bed, already dressed in a perfectly tailored designer suit, his eyes as gentle as a calm lake.

He pulled a stunning sapphire necklace from his pocket and fastened it around my neck.

"Darling, that diamond ring was too tacky for you. I flew to New York overnight to win this gem at an auction. Only the most brilliant thing in the world is worthy of my Chloe."

I was completely moved.

Now, he sprayed some medicated solution on me, and it felt like a thousand tiny needles stabbing my raw flesh.

"Everyone in our circle knows Tyler and Casey are the real couple," Justin said casually. "You're the one who forced your way in, using his pity to climb the ladder."

Tears dripped from my cheeks onto the polished floor.