Chapter 2

After examining me and finding nothing wrong, the doctor discharged me from the hospital.

As I was leaving, Jaxon held my hand, his eyes red-rimmed, looking at me with reluctance to let go.

"Prudence, remember to come visit me."

"Of course, I will," I agreed outwardly, while feeling cold indifference inside.

After returning home, Dad left to handle some company business. I sat down on the couch, holding Mom's hand.

I told Mom about Dad's affair.

Dad was quite the actor; rumors always portrayed him and Mom as the perfect couple.

In my past life, Mom didn't believe it until Jade's identity was exposed. Only then did she finally accept that her bedmate had long since started another family. After divorcing Dad, Mom fell into depression several times and her health deteriorated.

As I held Mom's hand, I could feel her fingers trembling slightly. I hugged her, knowing this was a hurdle she needed to overcome on her own, but I would always be there for her.

After a while, Mom wiped away her tears and composed herself.

"Alright, I understand. I'll handle this. Don't worry, Prudence."

Seeing Mom like this, I felt relieved. She was a strong woman.

The next day, it wasn't until the evening that I finally made my way to the hospital, fashionably late.

Jaxon's eyes lit up when he saw me.

"Prudence, what took you so long? I've been waiting for you all day."

I casually brushed it off, saying,

"The dance troupe had some things that held me up."

The truth was, I hadn't even gone to the dance troupe today. They knew about my car accident and told me to rest for a few days, but I just didn't want to come here.

Day after day, I had been longing for him to visit me, only to be greeted by photos of him kissing Jade in my social media feed.

While I was in the hospital getting my leg amputated to protect him, Jaxon and Jade were rolling in the sheets at the hotel across from the hospital.

And that hotel was less than 200 yards from the hospital.

I absentmindedly picked up an apple from the nightstand and started peeling it.

Trying to sound casual, I asked him,

"Jaxon, did your friend Jade come to see you?"

Jaxon's face showed a moment of panic before he tried to regain his composure.

"No, Prudence. Why are you suddenly bringing her up?"

"Oh, nothing really. I just saw her social media post. Looks like she's dating someone. But, you know, I couldn't help but notice that in one of her earlier photos, the hand in it looked a lot like yours."

I took a bite of the peeled apple. This certainly wasn't peeled for him.

Jaxon's face turned pale as he clutched the bedsheets tightly.

"It must be a coincidence. How could I possibly take a photo with her? I'm your boyfriend! Once I'm feeling a bit better, we can get married."

"You're right, it's probably just a coincidence," I replied.

Hearing my response, he let out a slow sigh of relief.

I pretended not to hear Jaxon's last sentence, inwardly scoffing. Marriage? What a fantasy.

After finishing the apple, I made a show of leaving, but stood outside the door eavesdropping.

Sure enough, Jaxon started calling Jade.

"Jade, what are you doing? I've been in a car accident. Aren't you coming to see me?"

"Brother Jaxon, the dance troupe is really busy lately. I can't really get away. I'll come see you when I have some free time, okay?"

Jade hung up immediately after speaking, leaving only the beeping sound on Jaxon's end. It seemed Jade must have learned about Jaxon's situation from her father. Jaxon had been abandoned, cast aside like a pawn.

"Bitch!"

There was a loud "bang" – Jaxon must have thrown his phone.

Having heard what I wanted to hear, I left the hospital feeling satisfied. As long as Jaxon was unhappy, I was happy.U

pon returning home, Mom informed me that she had already hired someone to investigate the matter concerning those two women, mother and daughter. She said it would surely cause a commotion when it came to light, and asked if I was scared.