Chapter 2 Two

Nica slowly opened her eyes, only to realize she was lying in a strange hospital room. The bright lights above her made her blink repeatedly as memories of the previous night came rushing back.

The party.

Chris.

Ella.

The betrayal.

A sharp pain shot through her chest.

She tried to sit up and remove the IV drip attached to her hand, but a warm unfamiliar hand gently stopped her.

"You need to rest," a deep masculine voice said calmly. "You haven't fully recovered yet."

Something about the touch felt strangely comforting.

Before Nica could respond, the door suddenly opened.

Chris and Ella walked in together, acting as though nothing had happened. Their expressions were full of fake concern, as if they had not been caught kissing the night before.

They did not notice the man standing beside Nica's bed.

Chris rushed forward dramatically.

"Nica! What happened to you?" he asked. "When I got home last night, I couldn't find you anywhere. I was so worried."

Nica stared at him in disbelief.

Worried?

The same man who lied to her, humiliated her, and betrayed her now stood there pretending to care.

Her stomach turned with disgust.

The stranger beside her noticed how uneasy she looked. He cleared his throat loudly.

Chris and Ella immediately turned toward the sound.

The moment Chris saw the man, all the color drained from his face.

"U... Uncle?" Chris stammered so loudly he nearly choked on his own breath. "What are you doing here?"

Before the man could answer, Nica spoke first.

"He brought me to the hospital."

Ella's eyes widened.

For the first time, she truly looked at the stranger.

He was tall, broad-shouldered, handsome, and carried himself with effortless authority. His expensive suit fit perfectly, and his cold expression made him even more attractive.

Ella swallowed hard.

In her mind, greed rose instantly.

I must have this man for myself.

Nica noticed the look in Ella's eyes and felt sick again.

How could Chris, a worthless cheat, be related to someone like this?

Lost in thought, she barely heard the doctor enter the room.

"You're stable now, Miss Matthew," the doctor said with a smile. "You may be discharged today."

Nica nodded quietly.

She got out of bed and packed her few belongings, eager to leave as quickly as possible.

The stranger stepped forward.

"I'll take you home."

Nica looked at him, surprised by the offer.

"No, thank you," she said politely. "You've already done more than enough for me. I can manage on my own."

Chris immediately laughed.

"Uncle, Nica is a strong girl. She can take care of herself, right Nica?"

Before Nica could answer, Ella quickly linked arms with Chris and added sweetly,

"I've known Nica for years. She's very tough. If she says she can do it, then she can."

Nica clenched her fists.

The shamelessness of the two people standing before her was unbearable.

"I'll be leaving now," she said coldly.

Without waiting for a reply, she walked out of the room.

She kept walking until she reached the hospital entrance, finally breathing in fresh air.

Then suddenly, two voices spoke at the same time behind her.

"Nica, I just...."

"You looked......"

She turned around.

It was Chris's uncle.

The two of them paused, then looked at each other before speaking again.

"You first," they both said together.

For the first time that day, Nica almost smiled.

A small laugh escaped them both.

Nica lowered her gaze.

"I just wanted to thank you... for everything."

"It was nothing," he replied smoothly.

Then his eyes moved over her hospital gown.

"Although... you still looked beautiful in that hospital gown."

Nica blinked in surprise.

"Really?"

He smirked slightly.

"I was joking."

For the first time in days, Nica laughed genuinely.

"My name is Nica Matthew," she said.

He gave a small nod.

"Jordan Avila."

The name sounded powerful.

Jordan stepped closer.

"Now let me drive you home."

Nica shook her head again.

"I don't want to bother you."

"You're not a bother."

He paused, as if wanting to say something else.

"Actually... I have an offer to....."

Before he could finish, Nica suddenly remembered something she had left behind in the room.

"Oh no!"

Without another word, she rushed back upstairs.

But the moment she reached the half-open door, her steps froze.

Inside the room, she saw and heard something she was never meant to witness.