Chapter 2
The strong disinfectant scent in the hospital made Allison feel sick. Ignoring the doctor’s advice, she signed the discharge document and left early.
Her phone buzzed over and over. When she checked, it was Jacob calling.
She didn’t feel like talking to him, so she ended the call and blocked his number right away.
Once she returned home, she began searching the entire house.
She found their engagement ring inside a velvet box, a personalized music box decorated with tiny bride and groom figurines, a thick diary full of their old messages, and wedding photos still hanging on the wall.
Allison stood silently for a moment, then placed everything into the box. After that, she tossed it all in the trash.
It felt like a burden she had carried for years had finally been lifted.
She scrolled through the sweet photos on her phone, each one capturing moments filled with joy.
They had flour on their faces while baking together, kissed at the top of a Ferris wheel–scenes full of laughter and love.
Looking at the photos, she began deleting them one at a time. With cach swipe, it felt like a sharp pain in her chest. A cruel reminder that the more beautiful it once was, the more fake it all turned out to be.
Suddenly, she heard the front door creak open. Jacob came in quickly, his
Chapter 2
expression tense.
When his eyes met hers, he let out a breath of relief.
“Allison, why didn’t you pick up?” I called you 54 times,” he asked, his
voice low and intense.
She froze for a second. She hadn’t picked up the call simply because his number was already blocked. There was no way she could’ve answered it.
“Why did you leave the hospital?” Jacob marched toward her and grabbed her wrist roughly. “Do you know how scared I was when you were gone? I thought you…”
He stopped himself and closed his eyes tightly.
Allison’s brows pulled together, and she spoke with a cold tone, “Let go. You’re hurting me.”
But Jacob didn’t release her. His eyes flicked toward the empty wall, and a storm of emotions flashed across his face.
“Why did you take down our wedding photos? You’re still upset, aren’t you? Allison, you knew what kind of person I was. I didn’t do this for myself. I did it for the country! We need Sadie right now, she can’t be caught up in problems…..”
“That’s enough. I’m tired of your excuses.” Allison pulled her arm away.
A fake marriage certificate wouldn’t fool anyone. Neither would his fake concern for Sadie. She wasn’t that naive anymore.
Jacob looked at her, disappointment filling his eyes. “Allison, you’ve changed.”
Allison almost laughed. Yes, she had changed because she had finally
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Chapter 2
stopped being foolish.
“But I need you to know that you’re the one I love the most. I don’t know how to live without you, I can’t…” Jacob’s eyes turned red with emotion. Without warning, he rushed forward and wrapped his arms tightly around
Allison.
She struggled to break free, but he ignored her completely. Suddenly, he shoved her onto the bed and pulled out a pair of silver handcuffs from his pocket, locking her wrist to the headboard!
Allison’s eyes went wide with shock. “Jacob, have you lost your mind?!”
He shot back, “The only time I lose my mind is when I can’t find you!”
Jacob leaned in closer and suddenly kissed her irrationally. “Allison, please don’t be mad at me…”
The moment he touched her, Allison felt her stomach turn with disgust.
She swung her free hand and slapped him hard across the face.
Smack!
Jacob froze in place. Allison was breathing hard, her eyes red. “Get out! Who gave you permission to touch me?”
“I…
”
Before he could finish, his phone rang loudly. He looked at the screen, and his expression shifted instantly.
Without another word, Jacob got up and rushed out of the room.
“Allison, wait for me. I’ve got something urgent. I’ll be right back…”
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Chapter 2
And just like that, he disappeared.
The room was left in silence except for Allison’s shaky breathing. She tried to move, but the handcuffs dug into her wrists, turning them red.
The movement reopened some of the unhealed wounds on her body, causing a sharp pain to shoot through her. It took her a while to catch her breath again. Her lips trembled, and tears rolled down without a sound.
As the sky darkened, the man who said he’d return soon never came. Her phone was still lying on the sofa.
Allison tried to pick the lock with a hairpin, attempted to drag the bedpost, and even tried to break the headboard, but nothing worked.
Even worse, she began to feel dizzy, the pain from her wounds tortured her, and she couldn’t stop feeling hungry. She lay in bed, hurting and weak.
Time passed, day turned to night, and back to day again.
Jacob never returned, not even after an entire day and night had passed.
