Chapter 2

My collar was roughly yanked open, exposing skin covered in bruises of various sizes.

"A pathetic ex-con, worth less than a stray dog, and you have the nerve to fight me for Krista? You're even more shameless than your mother!"

Hearing him mention my mom, anger surged through me. I grabbed his collar, glaring at him fiercely.

"Watch your mouth!"

The momentum forced Palmer to look up at me. A mocking smile still played on his lips, laughter bubbling from his mouth.

"A few years away and your temper's gotten worse? Don't you appreciate the special attention I arranged for you in prison?"

My heart skipped a beat, my gaze inadvertently falling on the ring on his chest.

I recognized the ring. It was the wedding band Krista and I had shared.

Seeing my eyes fixed on the ring, his expression grew even more smug. "Krista's mine now, and so is Dad. If you keep pushing your luck, I wouldn't mind sending you back inside."

Before he could finish, I didn't hesitate to swing my fist, landing a solid punch. The impact of flesh on flesh made a dull thud. Palmer suddenly howled, ripping the ring from his chest and throwing it to the ground.

"Marvin!" The sharp click of high heels approached rapidly. Krista suddenly appeared, her voice cutting through the air, "What the hell are you doing?"She stood in front of Palmer, forcefully stopping my fist that was about to land.

Then she pushed me with all her might.

My back slammed into the hard sink, causing me to involuntarily suck in a sharp breath.

"I'm sorry, Krista. I forgot to take off the necklace and made Marvin angry," Palmer said.

Palmer leaned into Krista's arms with a pitiful expression, making Krista's heart ache uncontrollably.

I tried to explain while enduring the pain, but Krista angrily interrupted, "Cut the act, Marvin. Aren't you disgusted with yourself? Don't I know exactly what kind of person you are?"

"Apologize to Palmer right now, or get the hell out of here and go back to where you came from!"

I was stunned. At that moment, the pain in my body was not even a fraction of the pain in my heart.

"It's okay, Krista. We've all finally gathered together for New Year's. Don't let me ruin everyone's mood."

Krista looked at me with disgust, her eyes full of anger. "If you had even half the character Palmer has, you wouldn't have ended up in jail in the first place."

The person who once loved me like life itself was now wielding a blade, stabbing my heart over and over.

She carefully helped Palmer up, while carelessly stepping on that ring beneath her foot.A thousand words gathered in my throat, yet I couldn't utter a single one.

"You stay here and reflect. When you've come to your senses, go apologize to Palmer yourself."

As he left, Palmer flashed a smirk at me.

The bathroom door slammed shut with a thunderous bang.

A hot, acidic feeling welled up in my eyes as raucous, upbeat music blared from outside.

I pathetically picked up the diamond ring from the floor. Under the light, it still sparkled like starlight, but to me, it had lost its former brilliance.

Amid the cheers from beyond the door, my head felt increasingly heavy, and my body burned with an alarming fever.

Without realizing it, I leaned against the cold wall and slipped into a dream.

In the dream, Krista held me close, reluctant to let go. She repeatedly assured me of her trust, tenderly professing that she'd love only me for the rest of her life.

But the scene suddenly shifted, and there she was, snuggling affectionately in Palmer's arms, calling me "Number 147."

I jolted awake, my eyes wide with panic, a cold sweat breaking out on my forehead.

My surroundings were familiar yet somehow strange.

It was my old room, with an intimate photo of Krista and me still on the nightstand.

"Marvin, you're awake?"

Krista's voice came from beside me. She sat on the edge of the bed, expertly peeling an apple until a single, unbroken strip of skin fell from her hand.

Her eyes were full of tenderness."I'm sorry, I didn't mean to not pick you up yesterday. I just didn't expect you'd come out early."

Listening to her lame excuse, I pursed my lips, unable to even fake a smile.

"That ring..."

She tugged at the corners of her mouth, smiling gently. "The ring was from when I lost a game. I lent it to Palmer to wear."

"But that ring is outdated anyway, not worthy of you. When we get married in a while, I'll have a better one custom-made for you."