Chapter 2 Unrequited Love

Vincent remained indifferent as he looked at me and said, "Come here."

"I..."

"I said you come closer!" His eyes narrowed slightly, indicating his building anger.

Swiftly, I stood up and approached him cautiously.

He tilted his chin up and gazed at me.

After a moment, he beckoned me over with a finger.

I leaned in, meeting his mocking gaze. He said softly, "I can offer you the money."

I felt elation. "Thank you..."

Before I could finish, he abruptly grabbed my throat.

Suddenly, I couldn't draw a breath. My throat went numb, engulfed in suffocating agony.

My mind spun. Then, I heard his voice. "But you must die!"

Then, he shoved me towards the cabinet.

I collapsed to the floor. My sight blurred, and a numbing weakness enveloped me, nearly causing me to lose consciousness.

A rustling noise broke the silence. Then, the woman asked softly, "Mr. Roberts, who is she?"

"A revolting, foolish swine!" came his reply.

With Janice's help, I managed to stand.

She said, "Mr. Roberts has left."

After thanking her, I returned to my room and swapped into a high-necked coat. Upon descending the stairs, Janice approached me hesitantly, clutching a medicine bottle. "Mrs. Roberts, I found this in your room..."

Her face showed concern, yet she paused, reluctant to speak further.

I took it over with a smile and said, "A friend from another city requested me to purchase it for her family. She mentioned it wasn't available at the local pharmacy there. Do you know about this medicine?"

Janice smiled and said, "Yes. My husband used to take this medicine before he passed away. It startled me to see it in your room just now. I couldn't help but wonder how someone so young could be afflicted by such an illness..."

My smile faltered, and I replied softly, "Please don't worry. I'm doing alright."

I had to be alright.

As I made my way to the hospital, I repeated this to myself.

Upon arrival, the light in the operating room was still on.

In order to avoid further damage to the company, my father's hospitalization remained undisclosed.

Thus, I found myself alone in the deserted hospital hallway.

Feeling a bit lightheaded, I settled onto a nearby bench. I reached into my pocket, took a pill, and swallowed it.

Closing my eyes and resting against the wall, Vincent's ominous words resurfaced in my thoughts.

"But you must die!"

I had met him when I was twenty, and he was twenty-four at the time.

Back then, his company boasted just over a hundred employees.

On that fateful day, he visited the Bailey Group for investment, coinciding with my own visit to see my father at the company.

I was immediately smitten with him.

Finally, he secured the investment and we tied the knot.

But on our wedding night, he disappeared, leaving me alone.

I found him in a hotel, hugging a woman with a peafowl tattoo as they drank together.

This scenario replayed weekly in our house over the past three years.

He constantly demeaned me, mocked me, and insisted I leave whenever he desired.

I believed he never wanted to marry me, that I had manipulated him into marriage.

He had no love for me. He was compelled to take me as his wife.

Desperate to win his affection, I tried everything to please him, hoping to stir his emotions.

But he said that I had to die.

Little did he know, his wish would soon be fulfilled.

Finally, the operating room lights dimmed, and my father was wheeled out.

I rose quickly and trailed them to the ICU, only to be stopped by the doctor. "The patient requires observation, and family members are not permitted in the ICU."