Chapter 3

When Alyssa woke up again, the sharp smell of disinfectant filled her nose. Hendrix immediately leaned closer with bloodshot eyes. "Alyssa, you're finally awake!" He wrapped his warm hand around hers gently. Once upon a time, Alyssa had cherished that warmth more than anything. Now, all she wanted was to get away from it. She yanked her hand back abruptly. Hendrix's handsome face stiffened slightly. He realized that Alyssa was still mad at him. So, he explained, "I'm sorry. Last night was urgent. Nicki was cornered by a stalker at her door and got hurt. I had no choice but to go to her. I—" Before he could finish, Alyssa calmly interrupted him. "You owe her your life. I understand. I'm not even angry." Hendrix froze, clearly surprised by how understanding she was. "It's great that you're not angry," he said, breathing out a sigh of relief. Then, he bent down as if to hug her. "I promise—" "I need water." Alyssa cut him off again. She scoffed inwardly, thinking, "Hendrix, if you can't keep a promise, don't make one at all." Over the next few days, Hendrix barely left Alyssa's side at the hospital. He fed her and wiped her body down. Even the nurses remarked that they had never seen a husband so attentive. But Alyssa only sat in silence. She stared out the window blankly, unmoved by his care. On the day of her discharge, Hendrix went to the garage to get the car. He told her to wait for him by the entrance. When the familiar Maybach pulled up, Alyssa opened the passenger door… Only to see Nicole sitting there with a bright smile. Nicole greeted saccharinely, "Hey, Alyssa. I'm so sorry that you got hurt last time. I told Hendrix I'd treat you to a meal today to make up for it." Alyssa didn't respond. She just stared silently at the passenger seat. Hendrix immediately realized what was wrong and quickly spoke up for Nicole. "Nicki gets carsick. That's why she's sitting in the front. Don't be mad, okay? You can sit in the back." Alyssa closed her eyes, trying to ignore the stabbing pain in her chest. Three years ago, when his cousin unknowingly sat in his passenger seat, Hendrix pulled a long face and sold that car the very next day. He had said that only Alyssa could ride in the passenger seat. Now, not only was Nicole sitting there boldly, but he had even helped her adjust the seat. Without a word, Alyssa got into the back seat. As soon as the car started, Nicole began munching on snacks with no regard for manners. Hendrix, despite his usual obsession with cleanliness, said nothing about it. After she finished eating, Nicole began critiquing the car's decor. She pouted and poked at the little figurine Alyssa had placed on the dashboard. "Hendrix, this ornament's ugly. Next time, let's switch it to the one I like, okay?" "If that's what you want," Hendrix replied with a pampering smile. Alyssa smiled too, but her eyes reddened as she looked out the window. When they reached, Hendrix went to park the car while Alyssa and Nicole took the elevator up first. As soon as the doors closed, Nicole's smile vanished. She shot Alyssa a taunting look and bragged, "Haven't you figured it out yet? As long as Hendrix remains thankful that I saved him, he will always prioritize me over you." Alyssa pressed the floor button calmly. "Your business with him doesn't concern me." Upon hearing this, Nicole shoved her roughly. "Don't act so high and mighty! If things keep going like this, how much longer do you think you can remain as Mrs. Ferguson? I'm telling you, Hendrix is mine—" Before she could finish, the elevator jolted violently and began plunging at a terrifying speed. "Ah!" Nicole screamed and grabbed the handrail in panic. Alyssa quickly hit all the floor buttons and crouched down against the wall to stabilize herself. She took out her phone and noticed that there was still some signal in the elevator. So, she immediately called for help. As soon as the call connected, Nicole cried out loudly, "Help! The elevator is falling! Please come save me!" Soon, the elevator stopped at the first floor. After an agonizing ten minutes, rescuers arrived and began prying the doors open. Through the narrow gap, Alyssa saw Hendrix's pale face. His gaze darted between her and Nicole. One of the rescuers urged anxiously, "Mr. Ferguson, the cables won't hold much longer. The elevator could drop again at any moment. We can only rescue one person first. Who will it be?" Nicole immediately threw herself toward the gap and sobbed fearfully. "Hendrix, save me! I'm so scared!" Time seemed to freeze. Nicole's sobs became more desperate. "Hendrix, please save me…" Hendrix looked at the weeping Nicole. Then, he turned to the silent Alyssa. Alyssa watched as his Adam's apple bobbed. With trembling lips, he said the words she had already anticipated. "Save Nicki first."