Chapter 2
I couldn't help but recall the first time I met Sofia.
She sat on the sofa in a short skirt. She asked me in an exaggerated tone, "I heard you were in a car accident before. Is it true that you have long scars on your legs and can never dance again?"
I was stunned. Before I could respond, Justin had already stepped between us.
He casually said, "Stacey, don't misunderstand. Sofia is a dancer. She cares about these things. She didn't mean any harm."
I looked at him in confusion.
I wanted to ask, "Can't I tell whether someone means harm?
"What's wrong with you today?"
He knew how much I cared about my legs. Why did he take someone else's side?
But in the end, I didn't say anything.
My physical flaws had once made me deeply resent myself.
Justin had always been by my side. He didn't let me drown in my pain.
I couldn't argue with him. I could only stand there in silent confrontation.
"Justin, why are you so nervous? I didn't say anything wrong," Sofia said.
Sofia stood up. Her legs were slender. She walked with grace and agility.
She walked up to me and smiled brightly.
"What a pity. I heard you used to be the lead dancer of the Sanchez City Dance Troupe. Now, it's me.
"Stacey, let me show you my dance," Sofia said.
In the spacious living room, she twirled lightly. Naturally, she attracted all of Justin's attention.
His expression was gentle. Just like how he used to look at me years ago.
"Stop dancing!" I shouted.
I nearly lost control and screamed. I knocked over the porcelain vase beside me.
The sharp sound of shattering echoed.
Sofia seemed startled. She lost her balance and fell directly toward me.
Chapter 3
The next second, Justin rushed over in a panic.
Amid the chaos, I didn't know who pushed me.
I fell hard to the ground. The vase shards dug deep into my palm.
I raised my eyes through the pain. All I saw was Justin tightly holding Sofia in his arms.
"Sofia, are you okay? Are you hurt? Do you need to go to the hospital?" Justin asked.
Sofia was probably terrified. She collapsed into his arms, sobbing weakly.
"I'm fine. I just wanted to make Stacey happy.
"I didn't mean to upset Stacey. Sorry..." Sofia said.
Justin sighed. He gently wiped away the tears at the corner of Sofia's eyes.
When he turned to look at me, his expression instantly changed.
He furrowed his brows tightly. His eyes were cold.
"Stacey, don't go too far.
"Sofia just wanted to make you happy. Do you want her to end up like you, unable to dance again?
"No one will tolerate you forever," Justin said.
I clenched my teeth. My heart ached intensely.
I kept telling myself that I had lost my temper. I had almost hurt someone else.
Justin was just afraid that the tragedy that happened to me years ago would happen to someone else.
After all, years ago, he had held on to me tightly when I tried to take my own life. He had stayed with me day and night. It was his straightforward and unconditional love that rekindled my hope in life.
He was just too kind.
Perhaps he was too kind. Time and again, he left me for Sofia.
On the weekends, we planned to watch movies together. The nights I prepared dinner for two. My birthday, and our wedding anniversary. He didn't present.
Finally, it hit me today. Justin probably didn't love me anymore.
But it had been seven years.
It felt like a hand was violently twisting inside my stomach. The taste of blood slowly filled my mouth.
I spoke with difficulty, "Justin, I'm your wife."
He froze for a moment. His thin lips pressed into a tight line. His expression showed some struggle.
The phone rang again.
"Justin, it hurts so much. When are you coming?" Sofia said.
The hesitation on his face was instantly replaced by urgency.
"Don't be scared. I'm coming right now," Justin said.
Then he looked at me with a hint of apology.
"Stacey, I'm sorry. I have to go to her. You..." Justin said.
"I understand," I said.
I suddenly felt tired.
I interrupted him. I stumbled out of the car.
Almost as soon as I closed the door, the black Maybach sped away.
I couldn't hold on any longer.
Everything went dark. I passed out.
Chapter 4
When I woke up, the sharp smell of disinfectant filled my nose.
I looked at the unfamiliar faces moving around me.
That familiar figure was nowhere to be seen.
My heart sank into a state of despair. Perhaps out of ridiculous defiance, I pressed my lips together and grabbed the doctor.
"May I ask who brought me here?" I asked.
"It was a student. He's already left," the doctor said.
She looked at me disapprovingly.
"Next time, if you're not feeling well, have a friend or family member bring you. Don't try to tough it out alone," the doctor said.
I gripped the bedsheet tightly. I forced a pale smile.
"Thank you," I said.
After the doctor left, I picked up my phone.
There wasn't a single call.
There was only one lonely notification hanging in the middle of the screen. It was reminding me that Justin had posted on Twitter five minutes ago.
[@DancingSofia: Mr. Scott, thank you for saving me!]
The post included a picture of a slightly scratched pink Porsche and a faintly reddened knee.
Justin replied, "You're always so delicate."
After seven years of marriage, I could even picture his slightly curled lips under that seemingly indifferent and dismissive comment.
The scandals between CEOs and celebrities had always been an enduring hot topic.
[Couple goals! Couple goals!]
[Such a beautiful couple. I approve of this marriage.]
[Isn't he the CEO of Ramirez Group? So handsome!]
[And the girl is amazing too! She's a lead dancer!]
[They're a perfect match.]
Someone even attached a video of the accident scene.
Sofia was leaning against the car, pouting in frustration. Justin looked at her with helpless affection.
The next moment, he scooped her up by the waist and gently placed her in the passenger seat where I had just been sitting.
I nearly tortured myself by watching it over and over again.
Stomach acid surged up my throat, and I retched violently.
After several attempts, I finally managed to turn off the video. I clutched my aching heart and decided to call him.
When love begins, it's passionate and intense.
Now, even if it was going to end, it should end with dignity.
But before I could dial, my phone suddenly rang.