Chapter 2

The night sky gradually draped over the horizon as I pretended to wake up slowly.

Silas lay beside me, one hand resting loosely around my waist.

Seeing my eyes open, he seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. The corners of his eyes lifted, painted with a hint of a smile. "How is it that your tolerance for alcohol is dwindling? You already fell asleep with less than half a glass."

A wave of sadness washed over me, but I managed to muster a faint smile. "Tell me about it. My head still feels foggy."

His brow furrowed. And his hand moved to my forehead, then to my temples, giving me a gentle massage.

"Feel any better? Should I call a doctor?"

With his recent words echoed in my ears, I couldn't help but shrink away from his touch. "Yeah... Much better."

As his fingers fell away, there was momentarily confusion in his eyes. Then he suddenly got up. As he got up, there appeared a huge empty space beside me. And my heart felt just as hollow.

He buttoned his shirt while walking out. "Just sleep. I have some things about the art museum to handle. I don't trust anyone else to take care of it."

I remained silent, listening quietly to the sound of him closing the door and going downstairs.

Since about half a month ago when Kaitlin conspicuously return to the country, Silas had seemed unsettled.

The media was widely advertising her first public art exhibition since she had returned, touting its unique style. They also frequently gossiped about her impending wedding with Charlie from Pekinston that they even had booked the venue ahead of time.

The exhibition was held at the Whitney Art Museum, the biggest one, in the city center, which had been under construction for years and was completed only six months ago.

No one knew who the financial backer of the museum was, though some guessed it was Silas.

They said he spent a fortune just for Kaitlin, given how he had publicly purchased her artworks for multiple times.

I had become used to his eager preparations for the art exhibit.

I once thought it was out of nostalgia. But now I understood that Kaitlin was the old flame burning in his heart that he had never wanted to damped.

The opening day of the exhibition, which was also the day Kaitlin would publicly announce her engagement, was just a few days away.

Since the day they tested their drugs on me, I had been on edge.

Several times, I had opened the door to go downstairs only to retreat under the watchful eyes of the guards at the entrance.

After seven years in Sangrilas, I still felt like I didn't belong here. I didn't even know where to go if I left this house.

I didn't know when Silas planned to send me away, but I wanted to say goodbye to him before then... to tell him I wasn't reluctant.

He continued to act as he always did that he would occasionally bring me exquisite gifts and was still enthusiastic about having sex with me after a drink.

But I could no longer muster any enthusiasm with him that I kept evading his kisses in a flustered panic.

He then became a bit irritable. His face darkened.

"Sandy, what's wrong with you lately? You have never rejected me like this."

I looked slightly up at him and I saw his shirt and his trousers... I assumed he dressed like this inspired by Charlie.

He could no longer pretend to be confident and unruly in front of Kaitlin that all he cared about what she liked.

Suppressing the ache in my heart, I spoke softly, "I want to go outside and take a walk."

He misunderstood me, brushing me off, "Wait until the exhibition is over. I'll have someone send you abroad for a vacation."

"I don't want to wait... Silas, I want to go now."

"No." He refused decisively. Then he nervously touched his nose.

"You know how important Kaitlin's exhibition is. I can't miss it... Sandy, we'll go later."

He wouldn't let me go.

I closed my eyes, allowing my fingertips to dig into my palms, reopening the healing wounds again. "What if I say we break up? Would you let me go then?"