5

I had already suspected that, even if Vivian wanted to fake an injury, she wouldn’t actually harm herself too badly. After all, she had landed on me during the fall, which made it impossible for her to be seriously injured.

“What the fuck is going on?” Greyson asked coldly. He wasn’t stupid. He could tell something was off about Vivian’s supposed injury.

The color drained from Vivian’s face as panic flooded her voice. “I… I do not know either. I’ve been in a coma since Lara pushed me down the stairs. I just woke up. What blood donation? The doctor must have made a mistake!”

“Wow, what a convenient mistake!” I glared at her, every ounce of fury bubbling to the surface.

“Nonsense!” Vivian shot back, looking desperately at Greyson. “do not trust her, Greyson! It was Lara who pushed me!”

His intense gaze bore into her like a piercing flame, and I could see her trembling under the weight of his anger. For a moment, the realization of the grave mistake she had made flickered in her eyes.

But as he turned to face me, his expression softened, a glimmer of remorse evident in his eyes. “I will find out the truth and give you an explanation. You’ll be compensated with whatever you want,” he promised.

I almost laughed. A reward? As if I were a child forgotten by my father at the park? No, I wasn’t. I was a wounded woman.

The passionate love I had once felt for Greyson felt like a distant memory now. It had been replaced by a numbness that consumed me entirely. I was exhausted from the endless cycle of disappointment and hurt, the empty promises that never turned into action.

His words fell flat against my heart, the assurance of compensation meaning nothing to my shattered soul. 

“No need,” I muttered bitterly, resignation thick in my voice. “What I want is a divorce.”

The words hung heavy in the air, the finality of my decision echoing like a haunting melody. I had reached my breaking point, and the love that once bound Greyson and me had transformed into a desperate desire for freedom.

The room felt suffocating, thick with the tension of our broken marriage. 

Greyson’s shock was palpable. He looked at me as though I were a stranger, and for the first time in three years, he was trying to understand what was on my mind. 

But I did not care anymore.

With a heavy heart, I turned away from the man I once loved. 

The tears in my eyes were a testament to the pain and sorrow I felt. The love I had cherished was now a bittersweet memory, and as I walked away, I vowed to rebuild my life with the strength that had carried me through the darkest of times.

Silence enveloped the room and my heart.

As I stumbled out of the hospital, my body felt like a fragile shell, drained of energy. The adrenaline that had fueled me during my intense conflict with the bodyguards had now dissipated, leaving me weak and struggling to maintain my balance.

Clutching my phone tightly, I dialed a number I knew by heart. In this moment of vulnerability, I craved help from someone I could trust. 

Finally, relief flooded over me when a sleek black Lincoln pulled up in front of me, its polished exterior gleaming under the fluorescent lights. 

The door swung open, and out stepped a handsome man in a perfectly tailored suit, his confident demeanor commanding attention. 

Uncle Rowan, my trusted confidante and guardian, had come to my rescue. His strong presence was a reassuring sight amidst the chaos that had consumed my life.

He scanned the area, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine. I could see the concern etched on his chiseled features as he approached. 

There was something undeniably reassuring about him, a sense of security that I desperately needed right now.

“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice low and steady. The warmth in his tone eased some of the tension coiling in my chest, and for a brief moment, I felt a flicker of hope.

But my strength had reached its breaking point. My legs gave way, and I collapsed. “Not really,” I admitted. “I just... I need help.” 

His expression shifted from concern to determination, and without a word, he stepped closer, his presence enveloping me like a protective shield. “Let’s get you out of here.”

With that simple gesture, I felt a rush of gratitude. I took his hand, feeling the strength in his grip, and stepped into the car, knowing that for the first time in a long while, I was not alone.

“Uncle Rowan…” I murmured, my voice barely audible.

“I am here, Lara,” he said soothingly. “You are safe now.”

**

Once again, I opened my eyes. This time, I wasn't in a ward, alone. I was in a warm and luxurious bedroom. 

"Finally, after being away from home for three years, you are back. Why would you do this for a man?" 

I recognized the voice and turned my head. A tall, strong-looking man sat beside the bed, his handsome face radiating authority. 

At the sight of my family, tears burst forth. "Uncle Rowan, I was wrong. I never should have left home. I shouldn't have hurt you for an unworthy man... I am so sorry." 

Rowan Torres, an official in the army, softened when he saw me crying. He held me patiently as I sobbed. "It's okay. It’s good to have you back!" Rowan said gently. "Lorrie, we tried so hard to find you. You are the treasure of the Torres family. We won't let anyone hurt you!" 

Just then, a greying man entered the bedroom. It was Aldo Torres, the owner of Universe Group in Vagow. His presence could frighten an entire city. 

"Do not cry! Lorrie, you are the heir of Universe Group. Hundreds of millions of properties will be yours in the future. Whoever hurts you, let him pay!"