Chapter 2

Chapter 2

After being thrown out, I didn't turn back to beg Silas or cause a scene.

Instead, I rushed back to the university lab overnight, throwing myself into my research paper to drown out the pain.

When Silas's parents texted me asking why he hadn't come home all night, I simply replied that I didn't know.

My heart settled into a strange, numb calm.

The next afternoon, as I walked out of the department building, I ran into Nora Sinclair.

She was leaning against the entrance, waiting for someone, and looked up at me.

"Hey, Silas and I are grabbing dinner tonight. Want to come along?"

I ignored her and tried to walk past, but she stepped out to block my path.

"Please, I'm begging you," she sighed. "Can't you just let Silas go?"

I found her ridiculous and shoved her hand away. "What does that have to do with me? If you want him, go chase him yourself."

It was barely a tap, but Nora threw herself backward onto the concrete with a theatrical gasp, tears instantly pooling in her eyes.

"I know you've loved him for years, but you can't force love," she cried out. "You're just upset because he's breaking up with you to be with me! But that doesn't give you the right to attack me in broad daylight!"

Fury flared inside me. "Nora, cut the crap! You threw yourself down―"

"Chloe!"

Silas's furious roar cut me off as he stormed over and violently shoved me aside. "What the hell are you doing?!"

I lost my balance and crashed hard against the curb.

A sharp, rusty needle protruding from the gravel pierced straight through my ankle.

The searing pain paralyzed me, but I forced my eyes up to glare at him. "Are you out of your mind? She threw herself down!"

Silas helped Nora up as she shook her head meekly. "It's fine, Silas... it was an accident..."

Silas wasn't buying it.

"Do you think I'm blind? If she didn't push you, why would you just sit on the cold ground? Chloe, I never knew you were so vicious."

His eyes burned with genuine hatred.

Nora gently rubbed his chest. "Don't be angry. I don't want your relationship with your family to suffer because of me. What if your parents blame me for stealing you away?"

Silas squeezed her hand tenderly. "My parents aren't fools. They know who the good person is. Chloe, I told you: Nora is the woman I'm going to marry."

Then, he walked over and slapped me across the face.

"That was for Nora," he growled. "Grow up, Chloe. Stop causing trouble everywhere you go."

My head snapped to the side, my ears ringing violently.

Blood soaked through my sock, pooling around my ankle, but between the physical shock and the humiliation, I felt completely numb.

"It wasn't like that..." I whispered hoarsely. "Silas... you really don't believe me?"

He scoffed coldly. "Given your spoiled, reckless temper? Why would I believe you? This slap was just a warning. Next time, I won't be so gentle."

I staggered to my feet, keeping my head down.

"Then thank you both for your immense mercy."

Silas frowned. "Watch your tone."

I held back the tears threatening to spill and bowed deeply, shouting, "I'm sorry!"

Nora waved her hands hurriedly. "It's really okay, don't do that."

She reached out to steady me, but Silas yanked her back.

"Don't touch her. People like her only drag you down into their toxicity."

He led Nora straight to his sports car and slammed the doors.

The engine revved, blowing a cloud of exhaust and dust all over me as they sped away.

I stood frozen in the street for a long time.

The throbbing in my ankle seemed to fade.

The very last ember of love I held for him was crushed beneath that layer of ash.

Now, nothing remained.