Chapter 3

“Mom, you know that rehabilitation surgery you wanted me to get overseas? Is that still an option?”

My mom’s voice on the other end of the line was electric with excitement. “Julian, you finally came to your senses! I’ll contact them right away!”

“The sooner the better,” I said quietly.

When I was first injured five years ago, my mom had begged me to go abroad. She said the world’s best specialist for bone necrosis was there.

But I refused. Rehab would take at least a year, and Sierra’s company was just starting to take off. She was working late every night.

If I left then, I was afraid she would work herself into the ground with no one to look after her.

So I stayed. I took care of the meals, the house, and gave her the support she needed when she was at her lowest.

Now, she had Ryan, her devoted male secretary. She didn’t need me anymore.

Seven years of my quiet devotion couldn’t compete with a few sweet words from him.

I went to the hospital alone for a check-up on my arm, then took a cab home.

For once, Sierra was home early. She arrived shortly after I did.

She tossed a few take-out containers on the table.

“Ryan told me to bring these for you.”

I glanced at them. They were leftovers from her and Ryan’s dinner.

My hand trembled slightly. “Sierra, I’m not a garbage can,” I said with a cold laugh.

A flash of annoyance crossed her face. “Ryan was worried he’d been too harsh on you today and that you’d be upset. He specifically asked me to bring this back for you. Seeing you act so ungrateful, I might as well have given it to a dog.”

As she finished, her phone lit up. A smile spread across her face as she typed a reply.

I was so used to her cold remarks that I didn't even have the energy to argue anymore.

The engagement ring I’d bought for her was in my pocket, its sharp edge pressing against my leg through the fabric.

It was a constant reminder of how ridiculous my dream of marrying her had always been.

Sierra sat down at the table and noticed the medical report I’d left out. She sneered.

“So you’re finally being obedient? Did you go to the hospital to see if you’ve lost your…”

She trailed off, suddenly remembering something. A flicker of guilt crossed her arrogant face, and she softened her tone.

“I’m sorry, I forgot today was your check-up… I’ve just been so busy.”

She didn’t forget because she was busy. She never remembered in the first place.

Every time I had a check-up, I had to beg her to come with me. She would always promise, and then cancel at the last minute.

Eventually, it was Ryan who would call me.

“CEO Shen is with me right now. Don’t wait for her. She’s not coming.”

A wave of helplessness washed over me. I forced a smile and said, “It’s fine. You’re busy with work. I understand.”

You’ll never have to come to the hospital with me again.

Sierra came over and knelt in front of me, grabbing my hand forcefully.

“Let me see. Has it gotten any better?”

Her sudden touch sent a chill down my spine. A wave of revulsion washed over me.

I violently pulled my hand away.

But I stumbled back into a cabinet. There was a sickening crack. The sound of bone breaking.

I clutched my arm, biting back tears of pain.

Panic filled Sierra’s eyes. “Why did you pull away like that! Are you hurt? I’m taking you to the hospital, now!”

She frantically tried to help me up.

Just then, her phone rang. It was Ryan.

“Sierra, I had too much to drink with a client. Can you come pick me up?”

Sierra looked at me, crumpled on the floor in pain. She hesitated for a single second, then spoke into the phone.

“Okay.”

Then she turned to me.

“Julian, you’ve gone to the hospital by yourself a million times. You don’t need me. Just get a cab.”

She grabbed her coat and left without a backward glance.