Chapter 2

Harrison's POV

The moment I reached the staircase, I saw chaos in the living room.

Summer and Hazel were talking, but fell silent when they saw Luci coming down.

Summer's eyes instantly reddened as she grabbed Luci's hand: "Luci, you're back, that's wonderful. If I had known you would run away from the wedding, I definitely would have had Harrison accompany you."

I looked at Luci. She furrowed her brow and pulled her hand back, smiling faintly at Summer: "Mr. Forrester treats you so well. Looks like we'll see you two get married this year, congratulations."

Summer's face stiffened for a moment. She glanced in my direction from the corner of her eye, then grabbed Luci's hand again: "Luci, don't blame Harrison anymore. If you're angry, hit me instead, hit me until you feel better."

I frowned. What was she doing?

Before I could figure it out, Hazel rushed over and shoved Luci hard: "You dare touch Summer, try it!"

Luci's foot twisted and she fell backward like a leaf.

I instinctively reached out to catch her, and she tumbled into my arms.

In that instant, a faint fragrance entered my nostrils, somehow similar to that night's scent.

My breathing tightened as I looked down in bewilderment.

Luci looked up in panic, meeting my gaze. Those large eyes were full of alarm, like a startled deer.

Such beautiful eyes, I couldn't help but admire.

She scrambled to stand straight, jumping out of my embrace: "I'm sorry, Mr. Forrester."

Mr. Forrester.

That form of address again. I really didn't like it.

"Brother, this bitch was going to hit Summer!" Hazel shrieked.

Summer choked back a sob: "Forget it Hazel, Luci's probably just in a bad mood, she didn't mean it."

"How can hitting someone not be intentional? Summer, you're just too nice!"

Luci bit her lip, didn't argue, and turned toward the door.

"Stop." I stepped forward and grabbed her wrist.

My fingertips touched her skin, the delicate silky sensation making my Adam's apple bob slightly.

The next second, I clearly felt her trembling.

She was afraid of me?

An inexplicable anger surged in my chest. Why should she fear me? She was the one who ran away from the wedding, she was the one who disappeared for three years, and now she came back putting on this act for whom?

"You hit someone and want to leave? Apologize!" My voice was cold as ice.

"Harrison, what are you doing? Let go of her!" Mrs. Forrester's cane struck the ground.

Luci seized the opportunity to shake off my hand and fled outside, running out of the manor in one breath.

Late at night.

I dreamed of that intoxicating night again.

Her soft body pressed tightly against mine, making me want to possess her madly. That faint fragrance entered my nostrils, causing me to sink deeper and deeper.

I gripped her slender waist, thrusting into her tight body again and again. Drunkenly lowering my head, wanting to kiss her lips.

This time, my vision suddenly cleared.

I could see clearly—the woman beneath me was actually Luci.

She looked at me with tearful eyes, pure yet seductive, sending an excited shiver through me.

I jerked awake. The bedroom was completely silent as I gasped for air, staring at the ceiling.

Absurd.

I closed my eyes, my Adam's apple bobbing.

How could I dream of her?

Luci's POV

Monday morning, the sunlight was harsh.

I stood by the window, took a deep breath, and dialed that number.

"Mr. Forrester, are you available today? Let's go to the courthouse to file for divorce."

He paused on the other end, his voice casual: "Who is this?"

"Luci." I paused, "If you're free today, I'll see you at the courthouse."

He laughed lowly, full of disdain.

"Fine." The sound of him pulling at his tie came through the receiver, "Half an hour, courthouse entrance."

I arrived at the courthouse entrance and smiled bitterly.

When I got the marriage certificate with him that year, I was overjoyed, thinking I had the whole world. Now coming to file for divorce, I just wanted to end this farce quickly.

Harrison arrived.

I didn't look at him, nodding slightly: "Let's go in."

When I raised my eyes, our gazes met.

He stared at me strangely, like a hunter eyeing prey, dark fire dancing in his eyes.

My heart jumped violently, and I unconsciously stepped back half a step.

He suddenly stepped forward, gripping my arm, his burning breath brushing past my ear: "Luci, have you really thought this through?"

I shuddered, staring at him in shock, as if seeing a ghost. He had always detested me—when had he ever gotten this close?

Frowning, I instinctively wanted to escape, but he pulled me by the waist, trapping me against his chest.

Just as he was about to speak, his phone rang and he answered it.

I saw his expression change drastically.

"Brother, Grandma heard from Luci that you two are getting divorced, she rushed to the courthouse to stop it, but got hit by a car, she's in the emergency room now..." It was Hazel's voice coming through the phone. The hallway was empty, and I could hear clearly.

My mind went blank.

I hadn't told Mrs. Forrester, hadn't told anyone.

But before I could explain, Harrison's voice was already cold as ice: "You told Grandma we're getting divorced?"

He gripped my wrist, the force so strong it felt like he would crush my bones: "Let's go, to the hospital."

I stumbled as he dragged me along, my wrist aching.

"I didn't tell anyone. How is Grandma? Is she in danger?" I couldn't spare time for explanations, my voice urgent.

He didn't answer, fury churning in his eyes: "If anything happens to Grandma, I won't let you off."

The corridor outside the emergency room.

Harrison and I rushed over.

Hazel suddenly sprang up, her eyes bloodshot.

Before I could react, a slap struck me hard across the face.

"Slap!"

My forehead hit the wall, blood trickling down from my temple.

"Bitch! I'll make you pay with your life for Grandma!" Hazel's eyes were crimson as she lunged at me again.

Harrison's eyes darkened slightly as he reached out to stop her.

"Brother!" Hazel cried out, "Grandma was hit by a car and is in the emergency room, and Summer got hit by a car trying to save Grandma too! It's all her fault!"

Taking advantage of my distraction, she kicked me again.

I fell to the ground, a sharp pain shooting through my tailbone, the agony distorting my features. The pain spread from my spine to every limb, my vision going black in waves.

I bit my lip, making no sound. Quietly reaching for the fruit knife in my bag.

During those three years being held at Villa Coronela in South America, I learned one thing—no one will protect you, you can only protect yourself.

Harrison walked over, his brow slightly furrowed, and reached out to help me up.

His expression was complex, his mouth opening as if to say something.

Just then.

"Click."

The emergency room door slid open.

"Harrison." Summer sat in a wheelchair, being slowly wheeled out.

Harrison's arm loosened as he turned to meet her.

My legs went weak, the tailbone pain instantly shooting upward. My body swayed, and I dug my fingers into the cold wall, barely managing to stay upright.

Summer's head was wrapped in gauze, looking like she might faint at any moment. She clutched Harrison's sleeve crying, weakly blaming herself with words like "couldn't save Mrs. Forrester."

She looked up, saw my disheveled state, and curved her lips slightly.

That smile was like a venomous snake flicking its tongue.

I laughed coldly at myself.

Sure enough, in Harrison's eyes, even if I died, I wouldn't be worth a single strand of Summer's hair.

I leaned against the cold wall, blood still trickling down from my temple, waves of pain assaulting my tailbone.

No one looked at me.

No one cared about me.

Just like in that warehouse three years ago, no one came to save me.