apter 2
After I was discharged, I didn’t make a scene or shed any tears.
Surprisingly, Caspian actually Venmo’d me some living expenses.
In seven years, this was the first time he’d ever backed down.
In the past, whenever he messaged me first, I’d reply with a hundred messages back.
But this time? I declined the transfer.
Seconds later, my phone buzzed with a voice note on WhatsApp–his voice sharp, pissed off.
“Loviisa,, you ungrateful piece of shit! Take it or don’t–I don’t fucking care!”
That night, Caspian brought Sherry back home.
I barely spared them a glance, my expression indifferent.
Caspian’s jaw tightened at my reaction, but instead of lashing out, he stormed into his study for a video conference.
Sherry sidled up to me, her lips curled in contempt.
“Look at you. That pregnancy really wrecked your body, huh? If I were you, I’d be too ashamed to stick around.”
She was deliberately trying to provoke me,
Before, the slightest taunt from her would have sent me flying at her throat.
But now? I just sat there, watching her put on her one–woman show.
My direct stare infuriated Sherry.
She glared at me, then–out of the corner of her eye–saw Caspian walking out of his study.
Blood welled up immediately.
Then, in one dramatic motion, she shoved the knife into my hand and threw herself onto the floor.
“Mrs. Hyperion just attacked me!” she whimpered. “I only wanted to stay with Caspian for a while, because I love him! And you–you tried to kill me?!”
13-31
Chapter 2
Her usual routine.
Before, I would’ve tossed the knife away and tried to explain. Told Caspian the truth–that Sherry was framing me, again.
This time, I didn’t drop the knife. Instead, I played along with her little drama. If she wanted me to be the villain, I’d give her a fucking villain.
Caspian reacted just as expected–anger flashing across his face as he shoved me back.
“Loviisa, what the fuck?! Are you out of your damn mind?! You jealous enough to become a fucking murderer now?”
I stumbled, the blade slicing across my wrist as I fell.
For a moment, I just stared at the blood. Then, Caspian’s cold voice cut through the silence.
“Apologize to Sherry. Now.”
Seeing no reaction from me, Caspian yanked me to my feet and pushed me toward Sherry.
An apology? Fine.
I picked up the fruit knife, pressed it against my already bleeding wrist, and dragged it deeper, looking up at Caspian with a bitter smile.
“Is this apology good enough for you? Or should I keep going-”
“Enough, Loviisa! What the fuck!”
As blood poured from my wrist, a flash of concern crossed Caspian’s face as he grabbed the knife away.
“What the hell is wrong with you?!”
And then, as his gaze flickered to my wrist, his expression shifted.
His fingers traced over the scars–the old ones, the fresh ones, the ones that had barely faded from before.
His voice dropped, almost unsteady.
“What… What are these? Why do you have so many scars?”
Over these seven years, Caspian had constantly brought women home.
None of them were easy to deal with.
13:31
hapter 2
Every single one of them was like Sherry–always scheming, always finding ways to twist the knife.
Some scars were gifts from Caspian’s mistresses.
Others were souvenirs from when Caspian had taken their side against me.
Caspian stared at my wrist for what felt like forever.
Long enough that, for a second, I thought maybe–maybe–he remembered.
Instead, his lips twisted into a mocking smile.
“Wow, Loviisa, switching tactics? Couldn’t catch me cheating, so now you’re pulling the self–harm card to
get my attention?”
He gripped my wrist hard, sending a sharp sting up my arm.
I winced–but then exhaled, the pain didn’t matter anymore.
Three more days.
Just three more days, and I’d be out of here for good.
