Chapter 2

Chapter 2

I ripped the IV out of the back of my hand and used every ounce of my strength to crawl out of bed.

The bandages on my arms were soaking with blood. Every breath felt like a knife in my chest. But at least my legs still worked.

The hospital was nearly empty in the evening. I stumbled and staggered until I reached the exit.

My vision blurred into a hazy mess. A man appeared in front of me.

"Save... me..."

I woke up to a familiar, clean scent.

I was in a tidy bedroom. Several pots of lush ivy sat on the windowsill.

"Gavin Lockwood...? Is that you?"

I spoke tentatively. My voice was as weak as a whisper.

"You're awake. Get up and eat something. You've been out for a full day."

Gavin's voice was steady and strong. He was an old friend from college.

I tried to sit up and noticed the sharp pain was gone. My arm was just a bit stiff.

"Thank you for saving me."

"You're just lucky you have a strong will. Honestly, getting yourself into this mess is almost impressive."

Gavin handed me a bowl of warm oatmeal.

"Where's that husband of yours?"

I pictured Grant's face, filled with worry for Jade Quinn. I simply shook my head.

"Living like a stray dog now, are we? You owe me big time, Giana. I'm marking it down."

Gavin teased me with a smirk.

We were rivals back in school. I said I'd be a great teacher, and he said he'd be the best surgeon. He used to joke that I'd work myself into a heart attack and have to beg him to save me.

In a twisted way, his prophecy had come true.

"Thank you."

Gavin frowned at my sincerity.

"Don't get all sappy on me. Your medical supplies cost fourteen hundred. Plus the room and the bone setting, you owe me twenty grand. Pay up soon. Don't think a 'thank you' covers your tab."

I let out a soft laugh.

"Okay."

As we spoke, someone began hammering on the door.

"You bitch! Get out here!"

It was Grant.

When Gavin opened the door, Grant was standing there, clutching our daughter's hand. Jade Quinn stood right behind them.

"What's all the noise about, old man?"

Gavin's tongue was as sharp as ever.

"Who are you calling an old man? You bitch, so this is where you went? To have a secret hookup with some thug?"

Grant tried to push his way into the room to grab me.

Gavin caught Grant's wrist with one hand and gave it a slight twist. Grant lost all his strength instantly.

I got out of bed and looked at the three of them with cold eyes.

"Stop it, Grant."

Grant's rage boiled over when he saw me.

"Found yourself a sugar daddy, did you? I didn't know you were such a slut."

I cut him off before he could finish.

"You didn't choose me."

"What?"

Grant looked at me, stunned.

"You've always chosen her. Just because I didn't complain doesn't mean I accepted it. If your heart belongs to someone else, then we're getting a divorce."