Chapter 2

Aurelia Dickerson POV:

Javier' s voice was a low growl, vibrating with controlled rage. "Who were you calling, Aurelia?"

My heart hammered against my ribs, a frantic bird trapped in a cage. The phone lay on the gleaming marble floor, its screen dark. His question, stark and accusatory, hung heavy in the air.

"No one," I managed, my voice thin. My mind raced, searching for an excuse, any excuse.

He took a step closer, his eyes glinting. "Don't lie to me. I saw you. Your face. That look of... determination. What scheme are you cooking up now?"

His accusation struck me dumb. "Scheme? Javier, you just watched your protégé destroy my life's work, and you're accusing me of scheming?" The irony tasted like ash in my mouth.

"Bambi would never intentionally harm your research," he said, his voice firm, unwavering. "She's too kind, too gentle." He paused, his gaze sweeping over me, filled with a chilling condescension. "Unlike you, Aurelia. You've become bitter. You're lashing out."

A wave of despair washed over me. He really believed her. He truly, genuinely believed Bambi, the master manipulator. The woman who had systematically dismantled my sister's life and was now doing the same to mine.

My mind replayed scenes from our past, memories that now felt like a cruel joke. His dazzling smile as he proposed, on a mountaintop overlooking the city lights. "You are my everything, Aurelia. My partner, my equal, my soulmate. I will always protect you." His words, once a comforting blanket, now felt like icy needles, piercing my heart.

He had held me in his arms when my mother died, promising to be my rock. He had dried my tears when Kayla was diagnosed, swearing we would fight this together. He had been my strength, my refuge.

Now, he was my tormentor.

The contrast was a gaping wound in my soul. How could the man who once pledged to move mountains for me now stand by and watch me crumble? How could his love, once so fierce, be so easily transferred to another, a venomous snake cloaked in innocence?

A sudden, piercing shriek ripped through the silence. Bambi. From the back of the reception hall.

Javier' s head snapped towards the sound, his face instantly contorting with panic. "Bambi!"

He sprinted towards her, leaving me standing alone, forgotten. I watched as he reached her, saw her collapse into his arms, her body wracked with what looked like convulsions. A small crowd began to gather, murmuring in concern.

"Call an ambulance!" Javier roared, his voice thick with terror. He was pale, his composure shattered. It was a side of him I hadn't seen since the early days of our marriage, when a minor car accident had left me with a concussion. He had cradled me then, too, his fear palpable.

Now, it was all for her.

I felt a strange tug, an old instinct. Despite everything, a part of me, the part that had loved him, wanted to help. I moved towards the commotion, my scientific training taking over.

"Javier, let me see her," I said, reaching out. "I'm a neuroscientist. I can help assess what's happening."

He whirled around, his eyes blazing. "Don't you dare touch her!" He shoved me, a violent, unexpected push that sent me stumbling backward. "You've done enough!"

My foot caught on the edge of a decorative planter. I lost my balance, my injured ankle screaming in protest. I cried out, a sharp, involuntary sound of pain and surprise.

I was falling.

My hands flailed, searching for something, anything, to break my descent. The edge of a heavy, ornate display table loomed.

"Javier!" I screamed, instinctively calling out his name, the name I had trusted, the name I had loved.

He didn't even turn his head. His focus was entirely on Bambi, his face a mask of terror and devotion. He was already cradling her, shushing her, ignoring my desperate cry.

The table hit my head with a sickening thud. A searing pain exploded behind my eyes, then everything went dark.

The next thing I knew, I was in a hospital bed. The fluorescent lights hummed above me, a sterile, unwelcome glow. My head throbbed, and my left hand felt heavy, bandaged.

Javier was there, sitting by my bedside, his head in his hands. He looked up as I stirred, his eyes red-rimmed.

"Aurelia," he whispered, rushing to my side. He took my uninjured hand, his touch surprisingly gentle. "Thank God you're awake. I was so worried."

Worry? After he pushed me? A bitter laugh escaped me, but it was quickly stifled by a gasp of pain from my head.

He squeezed my hand. "It was an accident, my love. You startled me. Bambi was in so much distress. I didn't mean to hurt you." His voice was filled with a practiced sincerity that made my skin crawl. "Bambi is fine, by the way. Just a panic attack. She's so fragile, you know."

He stroked my hair, his touch sending shivers of revulsion down my spine. "I know this has been hard on you, Aurelia. But you're overreacting. Bambi is just a colleague. You're my wife. Always."

My wife. Always. The words tasted like poison. I remembered his vows, the absolute conviction in his eyes. He had meant them then. He had meant them when he fought his family, his board, everyone, to be with me. He had chosen me, against all odds, against all expectations. He had said I was his destiny, his only one.

He had promised a future where we would conquer the world together, his brilliance fueling my research, my discoveries inspiring his empire. He had said our love was an unshakeable foundation, immune to the petty jealousies and manipulations of others.

And now?

Now, his words were just empty echoes. His touch, once a balm, was a violation. His concern, a hollow performance. He was a stranger. Worse, he was an enemy.

He leaned in, his lips brushing my forehead. "How are you feeling, my darling?"

I recoiled, pulling my hand away from his. "Don't touch me," I said, my voice cold, devoid of any feeling.

He froze, his hand suspended in the air. His eyes widened slightly. "Aurelia? What's wrong?"

"Everything," I said, my gaze fixed on the ceiling. "Everything is wrong." I had to act. I had to get out.

I watched him from the corner of my eye. He looked genuinely confused. "Are you still angry about the samples? I told you, I'll pay for everything. We can rebuild your lab, get new equipment, hire more staff."

Money. Always money. He thought everything could be fixed with money. He didn't understand that some things, once broken, could never be repaired. My heart. My trust. My sister.

He continued, oblivious to the chasm growing between us. "Actually, I've already arranged for a new shipment of the best cryo-storage units. And I've contacted the best specialists to get your hand fixed." He gestured vaguely at my bandaged hand. "You'll be back in the lab in no time. I'll even personally oversee the reconstruction. It'll be a fresh start for us."

A fresh start? Was he mad?

A knock on the door startled us both. The nurse peered in, her face apologetic. "Mr. Swanson, there's a... young woman here to see you. She says it's urgent."

Javier's eyes immediately darted to the door. "Bambi? Is she alright?" He made to stand, his concern for her overriding any pretense of care for me.

Before he could take a step, Bambi herself appeared in the doorway, a vision of fragile beauty. Her eyes were wide and watery, her lower lip trembling. She wore a delicate silk robe, her hair artfully disheveled. She looked like a lost lamb.

"Javier!" she whimpered, her voice barely a whisper. "I... I just had to see you. I was so worried about Aurelia. And... and I just feel so weak." She swayed dramatically, a hand clutching her forehead.

Javier was at her side in an instant, his arm around her. "Bambi, darling! You shouldn't be out of bed. You're still recovering." He shot me a fleeting, almost apologetic glance, then turned fully to Bambi, his face a mask of tenderness. "Come, let's get you back to your room."

He tried to lead her away, but Bambi cast a glance at me, a flicker of triumph in her supposedly innocent eyes. "Oh, Javier, I just hope Aurelia isn't too mad at me. I really didn't mean to cause any trouble." Her voice was laced with false remorse, a subtle jab.

My heart twisted. The sheer audacity.

Just then, my lawyer, Mr. Harrison, a stern-faced man in an impeccably tailored suit, entered the room. He carried a leather briefcase, its contents surely just as heavy as the atmosphere.

Javier didn't even notice him at first. He was too busy fussing over Bambi, whispering reassurances, his attention completely consumed.

"Aurelia," Mr. Harrison said, his voice calm and professional, cutting through the saccharine drama. "I have the papers you requested." He held out a thin manila folder.

I pulled out the IV in my arm, a sharp sting of pain, but I barely registered it. I swung my legs over the side of the bed, ignoring Javier's startled gasp. My bandaged hand throbbed, but I pushed through the pain, a cold resolve settling in my chest.

I took the folder from Mr. Harrison, my eyes locking onto Javier's. He finally looked up, his face registering surprise, then a flicker of annoyance. He still had Bambi clinging to his arm.

"What papers are those, Aurelia?" he asked, his tone suddenly sharper.

"The ones that will set us free," I replied, my voice steady, betraying none of the turmoil raging inside me. I opened the folder, pulling out the top document. It was a formal request. A formal request for a substantial investment into my research. The amount was staggering.

Bambi's eyes, previously downcast, snapped open, their feigned weakness forgotten. She stared at the figure, her mouth agape. "That much? Aurelia, what are you trying to do?" Her voice was no longer a whimper, but a shrill accusation. "You're bankrupting Javier!"

I scoffed, a dry, humorless sound. "Bankrupting him? Bambi, do you even know how much Javier is worth? This is a drop in the ocean for him." My gaze flickered to Javier, a challenge in my eyes. "Unless, of course, his empire is not as vast as he claims."

Javier frowned, his irritation evident. He didn't like being challenged, especially not in front of Bambi. "That's enough, Aurelia. This is not the time or place." He turned to Bambi, his voice softening. "Don't worry about the money, darling. It's nothing."

Bambi, however, wasn't so easily appeased. She whimpered again, clutching Javier's arm tighter. "But, Javier, I just heard... Aurelia's assistant was saying that she wants to sue me for something about her research." She looked at me, her eyes wide and innocent. "I would never intentionally hurt her or her work, Javier. You know that. I'm so sorry if there was a misunderstanding."

He glared at me, his patience clearly wearing thin. "Aurelia, what is this nonsense? Are you threatening Bambi now?"

I met his gaze head-on. "I'm merely stating facts, Javier. Bambi destroyed my samples. My lawyer has all the evidence." I gestured to Mr. Harrison, who offered a curt nod. "If she doesn't take responsibility, I will pursue legal action. For theft. For professional sabotage. And for... for other matters." My voice was laced with a chilling undertone, a veiled reference to Kayla.

Javier's face darkened. "You wouldn't dare." His voice was low, dangerous. "Don't think for a second that I won't protect Bambi."

Our eyes locked, a silent battle of wills. There was no love left, only cold, hard animosity. My heart was a stone in my chest.

He snatched the folder from my hand, his gaze sweeping over the documents. His eyes widened slightly as he recognized something. The top page, the investment request, was swiftly followed by another document. A divorce agreement.

A sudden, sharp scream from Bambi, again, cut through the tense silence. "Oh no, Javier! My head! I feel dizzy again!" She slumped against him, her body going limp.

Javier immediately dropped the folder, his attention snapping back to Bambi. "Bambi! Darling! What's wrong?" He scooped her up, his face pale with concern. He didn't even spare a glance for the dropped folder, the divorce papers fluttering innocently on the floor.

"Javier, wait!" I called out, my voice desperate, laced with a new kind of urgency.

He paused at the door, clutching Bambi protectively. He glared at me, his eyes burning with anger. "Don't push your luck, Aurelia. This isn't over." He then carried Bambi out, leaving me and Mr. Harrison alone in the room, the divorce papers a stark white against the hospital floor.

I turned to Mr. Harrison, my voice firm. "Mr. Harrison, expedite the divorce proceedings. I want out. Now."

He nodded gravely. "As you wish, Dr. Dickerson."

My mind was clear. I wanted to be free. Free from Javier, free from Bambi, free from this toxic nightmare. I would start over. I would rebuild. And I would make them pay.

I walked out of the hospital, my bandaged hand aching, my head throbbing, but my resolve solidified. I needed to get to my lab. To assess the damage. To plan my next move.

As I approached the building, a sleek black car pulled up. Bambi stepped out, draped in a luxurious scarf, a faint smirk playing on her lips. She saw me. Her eyes narrowed, a predatory gleam in their depths. She had returned to survey her handiwork.

"Well, well, Aurelia," she purred, her voice dripping with faux sympathy. "Looks like someone had a bad day."

The sight of her, smug and triumphant, sent a jolt of pure rage through me.