Chapter 2

When Laura turned around to leave, Shayne called out after her. "Wait." He continued, "Take all the things you left at my place with you, too." He thought she would react the way she always had before. Hurt by those words, her eyes would redden, and she would ask him what he meant by that. Then, he would smoothly offer to stop fighting, and everything would pass once again. However, Laura said nothing. She simply turned around in silence and began, bit by bit, to erase her presence from the house she had once been intimately familiar with. By the entryway were the teddy-bear slippers he had bought especially for her, embroidered with her initials. On the kitchen mug rack was the strawberry-patterned mug he had reserved just for her. Draped over the living room sofa was the light gray fleece blanket she always used… She found each item and calmly tossed them into another empty cardboard box, as if she were clearing out something utterly insignificant. It was as if they were all trash. During this time, Shayne and Melinda started a new round of their game. In between rounds, Melinda complained that she was thirsty. Without the slightest hesitation, she picked up Shayne's half-finished glass of water and took a sip. Shayne had always been a clean freak and used to be disgusted even by drinks that Laura had taken a sip of. Yet, he merely glanced at it and said nothing. Then Melinda cutely said she was hungry and wanted to eat at a famous restaurant far away. Shayne didn't say a word as he stood up, grabbed his keys, and went out. Laura took it all in, but strangely enough, her heart no longer hurt. All that remained was a numb, icy chill. Holding the packed box, she went upstairs, planning to retrieve the last few items from Shayne's bedroom. Just as she pushed open the door, a figure blocked her path. It was Melinda. She had an openly provocative, smug expression. "You've already broken up with Shayne, so what are you doing here? Are you just trying to make yourself feel relevant?" Laura didn't want to bother with Melinda and replied flatly, "I'm just here to take back my things and break it off cleanly." Melinda scoffed. "Break it off cleanly? You think playing hard to get like this will make Shayne want you more? "He's been sick of you for ages. You mention breaking up over every little thing. Weren't you just relying on the fact that he'd always try to comfort you? What can you do besides clinging on desperately? "Let me tell you, I'll take everything you like from you. Didn't you copy his college choices just to keep clinging to him? "Guess what? I got into Northwell University, too. Step by step, I'll take him away completely. I'll make you watch as I slowly defeat you!" Laura couldn't be bothered with Melinda's crazy ranting. While holding the box, she tried to go around Melinda. But Melinda refused to let it go. She grabbed Laura's arm, her words growing sharper and more vicious. "What? Did I hit the nail on the head? Do you have nothing to say now? Laura, do you have any shame at all? The way you cling to Shayne is so disgusting! "It's no wonder he finds you annoying. I bet your parents didn't raise you right either. To have raised someone like you…" A crisp slap cut off Melinda's venomous words. Laura finally snapped as she raised her hand and slapped Melinda hard across the face. Melinda clutched her face, staring at Laura in disbelief. Then, in a fit of rage, she raised her hand to strike back. At that moment, the sound of the front door opening and footsteps came from downstairs. Shayne was back. There was a flicker in Melinda's eyes as a plan formed. She suddenly grabbed Laura's hand, let out a sharp scream, and dragged Laura along. Then, using the momentum, they tumbled together down the staircase. The two of them rolled down the stairs at the same time and crashed onto the first-floor tiles. Laura felt as if every bone in her body had come apart. Her forehead slammed on the edge of the stairs, and warm blood immediately streamed down. Melinda was badly hurt as well, but she immediately struggled upright. Seizing the advantage, she covered her face, but deliberately revealed the clear slap mark Laura had left. Tears came out instantly as she cried pitifully, "Shayne… Laura, s-she suddenly rushed at me and hit me. Then, she pushed me down the stairs! It hurts so much…" Shayne took in the chaotic scene before him, and his expression instantly darkened. He walked over, first glancing at the sobbing Melinda before turning his icy gaze on Laura, who was struggling to get up. His voice was cold as ice. "Laura! Have you lost your mind? This is my home. Who gave you the right to lay a hand on my guest?" Laura endured the intense pain and dizziness, trying to explain. "She insulted my parents first, that's why I—" "That's enough!" Shayne cut her off harshly, not wanting to hear another word. His eyes were filled with disappointment and impatience. "I don't want to hear any explanations!" Then, he turned to the butler. "See her out right now!" The butler looked troubled but still stepped forward, gesturing politely for Laura to leave. Laura watched as Shayne turned away without hesitation, carefully helping Melinda up. He tenderly supported Melinda onto the sofa, taking out the medical kit. Then, he gently cleaned and dressed her wounds, treating her as if she were something fragile and precious. In that moment, it felt as though Laura's heart had been ripped out of her chest. The pain was so sharp that she could barely breathe. Once, he had treated her the same way. There had been a time when she scraped her knee during PE class. His face had gone pale with panic. Without a word, he had carried her straight to the infirmary, running all the way while repeatedly soothing her, "Laura, don't be scared. It'll stop hurting soon." Back then, all his warmth and anxiety had belonged to her alone. Now, every bit of his care and patience was being given to another woman. All her explanations and grievances were lodged in her throat, freezing into cold, hopeless despair. Laura said nothing more as she dragged her battered body out step by step. She went to the hospital alone. The diagnosis was a mild concussion and multiple soft-tissue contusions. The doctor advised her to stay for observation. During Laura's hospital stay, her phone vibrated nonstop. They were all taunting messages from Melinda, accompanied by photos and videos of Shayne taking meticulous care of her. He fed her, peeled apples for her, and even accompanied her on walks in the garden. Laura looked at them expressionlessly, not replying to a single one. Her heart was dead, so none of these provocations could hurt her anymore.