Chapter 3 Remember Your Place!

"Kaitlin, please understand. It's not what you think. It's just..." Lilliana uttered as she grabbed her phone, her face a mix of mock sorrow and defiance.

Kaitlin's rage bubbled over, and she struck Lilliana across the face with a sharp slap.

"Get out! What are you so proud of? Proud of destroying my marriage? How can you not be ashamed?!"

The force of her slap sent the phone crashing to the floor, breaking into pieces. Lilliana stumbled back, her hand deliberately striking Kaitlin's injured leg as she fell against the hospital bed.

Pain exploded in Kaitlin's leg, blurring her vision with tears. As she reached out to push Lilliana away, a strong hand clamped down on her wrist.

"Kaitlin, have you lost your mind?"

Alan's cold, stern voice cut through the chaos.

Kaitlin looked up to see Alan, still dressed in the somber black suit from the photo she had seen earlier, exhaustion and anger etched across his face.

He was still the same tall, broad-shouldered, and good-looking man, but to Kaitlin, he looked utterly repulsive now.

"I'm the one who's lost my mind?" Kaitlin hissed, emphasizing every word. "Your lover here has been mocking me to my face. How could I not react? You disgust me, Alan!"

Alan's face darkened with fury as he met Kaitlin's tear-filled, furious gaze.

He had been up all night handling the kidnappers, without a moment's rest, only to arrive at the hospital and find Kaitlin snapping at him over Lilliana.

His assistant had informed him that Lilliana was badly hurt, yet here she was, seemingly more vigorous than he felt.

"Kaitlin, are you trying to test my patience?" He gripped her delicate jaw firmly, his tone icy. "Apologize to Lilliana. Now!"

The sharp pain in her jaw made Kaitlin shudder, but the ache in her heart cut deeper.

There was no way she would apologize.

"For what exactly?" Her voice was raspy as she protested, "Because I interrupted your mourning for your beloved while I was nearly dying? Or because I slapped your new lover when she mocked me? Alan, even if your heart isn't with me, can't you at least show me the respect due to a wife?"

Veins throbbed on Alan's forehead, and his grip grew tighter, his knuckles whitening.

"Enough! How dare you bring her up?!"

Alan's shout echoed as he shoved Kaitlin back against the bed like a furious dragon. "Remember your place! Do as I command, now!"

Her back slammed against the headboard, igniting her untreated injuries with unbearable pain.

Tears pooled in her eyes, and the pain made it difficult to breathe.

What was her place, really?

Merely his nominal wife, a pawn for his desires, a stand-in for Ashley?

None of these roles held any true significance.

Alan noticed her bloodshot eyes brimming with tears and realized she was still suffering from her injuries.

He loosened his grip, about to speak, when Lilliana, snapping out of her shock, seized his arm. "Alan, Kaitlin is still hurt! She must be scared after the kidnapping. Please, don't be harsh with her. If hitting me makes her feel any better, I can take it. The worst that could happen is I might have to cancel my upcoming interviews and collaborations."

She looked up at him, her expression one of sincere understanding. "Let's talk this through."

Alan, managing his irritation, carefully withdrew his hand from hers and spoke softly. "You need rest too. Go home and sleep. I'll sort this out. And don't worry about the work you might miss. I'll find you even better opportunities."

Lilliana nodded, cast a cautious glance at Kaitlin, and left the room with a faint smirk.

Alan's different reactions toward her and Lilliana left Kaitlin feeling colder.

Despite her body being marred with wounds, Alan seemed oblivious.

Yet, at Lilliana's slightest word, his anger dissolved.

It was ridiculous.

After three years of marriage, Kaitlin finally grasped where she stood in Alan's regard.

"Kaitlin, since you're injured, I don't want to argue," Alan stated icily, dropping her back onto the bed. "Don't tell Grandma about this. When you're discharged, you-"

Kaitlin interrupted him, her tone emotionless. "When I'm discharged, we're getting a divorce."

She removed her cherished wedding ring and tossed it at his feet. "Consider your kindness for saving me repaid over these past three years."

Alan halted, his expression one of stunned disbelief as he stared at the ring.

After a moment, he stepped closer, clenched her wrist tightly, and demanded, "What did you say?!"

"When did you start having trouble hearing?" Kaitlin retorted, allowing him to pull her closer. "I'm done playing this stand-in. Our marriage is over."

Alan's eyes darkened, his features clouded with rage.