Chapter 2 Don't Read Too Much Into It

Kaitlin was Alan's wife!

Despite his lack of affection, could he truly remain unmoved by her unwavering dedication during the last three years?

Alan had rescued her from the ocean's grasp, and upon regaining consciousness, she confessed her amnesia about her family, prompting him to take her in.

He likely assumed she married him out of necessity, believing she couldn't fend for herself. Yet, he was unaware that she had been smitten from their first encounter, as if enchanted.

Kaitlin refused to draw comparisons to someone who had passed away, but Ashley was a continual source of pain in their marriage, stabbing her heart over and over.

After three years of enduring, all she had to show was a shattered heart.

"Damn it! You say you're Alan Hewitt's wife, yet he won't even answer your calls!"

The group leader pulled her hair and struck her across the face with a sharp slap. "We feared the Hewitt family might retaliate, but it's clear they don't care about you, so we're free to do as we please! Come on, guys, let's enjoy ourselves! Who cares if she's Alan Hewitt's wife?"

The sharp pain in her scalp elicited a groan from Kaitlin. Seeing the vile grins on her kidnappers' faces, she balled her hands into fists.

She was determined to resist them, even if it meant her death!

As they approached, she lunged at the closest man, striking his abdomen. Seizing the moment, she sprinted towards a partially open window.

Her vision clouded with blood, her head spun, and blood dripped from a wound on her forehead as she lost consciousness.

"The patient is stable, but her head injury is severe. It's uncertain when she will regain consciousness."

"Thank heavens the special forces were already on their trail. Otherwise, who knows..."

Soft, indistinct voices surrounded her.

Struggling to regain her senses, Kaitlin managed to pry her eyes open, only to see a blur of white.

The pungent scent of disinfectant overwhelmed her senses, and through the haze, she caught the murmur of Alan's assistant. "Thank you, doctor."

She was still alive?

Gradually, Kaitlin's awareness crept back. Pain radiated through her, as if her body had been shredded.

"Mrs. Hewitt, you're awake?!" The assistant noticed her stirring and hurried over, his voice laced with concern. "Does it hurt?"

Kaitlin glanced around the sterile hospital room, her voice barely a whisper. "Where's Alan?"

The assistant's face tensed, and after a moment's hesitation, he muttered, "He... had to handle something. He might be here later."

Kaitlin was overwhelmed by disappointment.

Was there something more urgent than this?

Did he really not care for her?

Could he really be so indifferent to whether she survived?

Her voice rough, Kaitlin murmured, "I see. You may leave. Thanks for coming."

The assistant lingered, as if he wanted to add more, but remembering Alan's stern orders, he remained silent and exited the room.

Left alone, Kaitlin lay on the hospital bed, her heart weighed down by a chilling sorrow that spread throughout her chest.

She grappled with the painful realization that Alan didn't love her, despite trying to convince herself that perhaps he was genuinely occupied with something urgent.

Yet, as the door to her room swung open once more, she braced for the return of the assistant. Instead, it was Lilliana.

Kaitlin's eyes narrowed, her hands balling into fists. "Miss Willis, to what do I owe this visit?"

Lilliana's voice was soft, tinged with a mocking sweetness. "I heard about your kidnapping and injuries, Kaitlin. I was so worried, I had to come check on you. You remind me so much of my sister. It's always made me feel a special bond with you."

The message was clear to Kaitlin.

Lilliana was subtly reminding her of her place as nothing more than a stand-in for her sister.

"If your sister could see you now, pretending to be sweet and innocent in front of her fiancé, I wonder what she'd think," Kaitlin responded icily. "We're hardly close, so there's no need to use my first name."

A flicker of surprise and annoyance passed over Lilliana's face, quickly masked by a look of sorrow. "Kaitlin, does my closeness with Alan upset you?"

She adopted an innocent expression. "We're just friends. He's just looking out for me because of my sister. Don't read too much into it."

The facade nauseated Kaitlin.

Initially, she had taken Lilliana at her word, harboring no ill will towards her.

However, as time passed, Lilliana continuously invoked Ashley's name, manipulating Alan and sowing discord with petty schemes. Kaitlin now saw through her ploys.

"I'm indifferent to whatever relationship you have with him," Kaitlin stated, her tone chilling. "I'd appreciate it if you'd leave now. Save your performances for your admirers. They do nothing for me."

Tears welled up in Lilliana's eyes, portraying a deep, aggrieved hurt.

She scrambled to her feet, and deliberately dropped her phone which landed in front of Kaitlin.

As it hit the blanket, the screen flared to life, revealing an active group chat.

An image popped up, displaying Lilliana being swept off her feet by Alan, as they entered a hotel under the cover of night.

They seemed impeccably suited for each other, far more so than Kaitlin and Alan ever appeared.

The texts that followed the image were just as shocking. "Isn't that your boyfriend, Miss Willis? He's quite the looker!"

"What? Miss Willis has a boyfriend? My heart is shattered!"

Kaitlin felt a chill run through her fingers.

So, they went to a hotel after visiting the grave last night?

While she was battling for her life, what exactly was Alan up to? He was hooking up with Lilliana?

Was he using her as a stand-in for Ashley while indulging with Ashley's sister?

The thought revolted her...

Shaking uncontrollably, Kaitlin raised her head to meet Lilliana's gaze, her eyes burning with anger and hurt.