Third Person POV

"Hiss..." The sharp sting of glass piercing her skin made Chelsea suck in a breath through her teeth.

“Who’s Sabrina?” Seeing Magnus anxiously rush off, someone from the crowd finally voiced the question everyone was thinking.

“You don’t know? Sabrina Knowles is the woman Mr. Colon truly loves.”

“What? Then what about Mrs. Colon?”

“Oh, everyone in our circle knows the story. Chelsea married into the Colon family when they were down and out, taking advantage of the situation, and Sabrina was forced to leave the country. But now that the Colon family’s back on top, and Sabrina’s returned... let’s see how Mrs. Colon handles it.”

“Ohhh... so that’s what happened.”

“I always thought she was so classy and graceful. Didn’t expect she was the third party all along. Tsk...”

“Shhh, keep it down.”

Chelsea listened to the whispers swirl around her. Watching Magnus’s retreating back growing smaller and smaller in the distance, she couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh.

So this was love? Three years of marriage, and it turned out to be a cruel joke. And everyone had known all along—everyone but her.

She picked herself up off the floor, glass still embedded in her skin. But not a single person offered to help her. Of course not. These were Colon family friends, not hers.

The party came to an abrupt end after her injury.

By the time Chelsea drove herself to the hospital, it was already late into the night. The ER was quiet, nearly empty.

What she didn’t expect... was to run into Magnus and Sabrina there, of all places.

She’d just finished getting her hand bandaged when they walked in—Magnus covered in bruises and Sabrina supporting him.

“Chelsea? What are you doing here?” Magnus froze when he saw her stepping out of the treatment room, then quickly moved in front of Sabrina, shielding her without even thinking.

That instinctive move made Chelsea’s heart sink. She forced a tight smile and raised her heavily bandaged hand. “Thanks to your dear sister.”

Magnus frowned at the sight of her hand, wrapped like a mummy. He opened his mouth to say something, but Sabrina spoke first.

“Chelsea, that’s not fair. Michaela is still just a kid. As her sister-in-law, shouldn’t you be more patient with her?”

Chelsea almost laughed out loud.

A kid? Michaela was only a year younger than her. If she were still a child, then why was everyone expecting her to act like an adult?

“And what does that have to do with you?” she asked coldly.

She glanced at Sabrina’s hand, still clutched protectively in Magnus’s. But her heart didn’t even ache anymore. She was just... done.

She turned and walked toward the exit. But just as she brushed past them, Magnus suddenly grabbed her wrist from behind.

“Chelsea, what’s with your attitude? Apologize to Sabrina. Now.”

His tone was sharp, his face dark. The anger in his voice was impossible to miss.

Even so, Chelsea looked up into his cold eyes—and felt nothing.

She had just now realized that when one's heart was deeply wounded, it was really possible to unlove someone.

“Why should I apologize?” she coldly asked.

“Because she’s right. Michaela is just a kid. Why are you being so petty with her?” He paused, then added, “And how could you talk to Sabrina like that? She just got harassed at the airport and hasn’t even recovered. Now you’re making it worse. So, apologize now.”

His grip on her tightened. The fury in his eyes looked like it was about to spill over.

So that was it. Sabrina had been harassed at the airport. That’s why he rushed off. That’s why he fought. That’s why he was hurt.

Chelsea glanced at Sabrina, whose eyes were now rimmed red with tears.

What a perfect performance.

A cold smile tugged at Chelsea’s lips.

So when Sabrina got hurt, he went ballistic. But when it’s his own wife being drugged at her birthday party, he plays along?

Love and indifference were never clearer than in this moment.

Chelsea clenched her fist. Then she yanked her arm away with all her strength. “You should focus on your injuries instead.”

Without looking back and saying another word, she walked out of the hospital.

Third Person POV

As Chelsea walked away, Magnus stood there frowning, his gaze locked on her retreating figure.

That was the first time... she'd ever talked back to him.

“Did I say something wrong?” Sabrina asked quietly, eyes red as she helped steady him.

Magnus gave her a reassuring pat. “No, don’t overthink it. Chelsea was the one out of line tonight.”

With that, he leaned on Sabrina and made his way into the ER.

Outside the hospital, Chelsea stepped into the chilly night. The streetlights flickered dimly above her as she pulled her thin jacket tighter around herself and got into her car.

When she arrived home, the villa was pitch black and silent. She stood in the doorway for a moment, breathing in deeply.

What she once believed was her safe haven… turned out to be a one-sided fantasy.

If that was the case, then maybe it was time to step away—let Magnus and Sabrina have each other.

She then washed up quickly and went to bed.

The next morning, when she woke up, Magnus still hadn’t returned.

When she checked her phone, she froze.

A message from Sabrina lit up the screen: [So what if you’re Mrs. Colon? The one Magnus has always loved is me.]

Attached to it were photos of Magnus fighting at the airport, holding Sabrina’s hand, and the two of them sleeping side by side, his arm protectively around her.

Chelsea’s eyebrows knitted together. She was about to delete it, but the bedroom door creaked open.

“Babe? You’re up early,” Magnus said as he stepped inside.

He walked over to the bed and gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. But as he leaned down, the red scratch marks across his chest came into view—and they hit her like a slap to the face.

She could brush off Sabrina’s taunts. But those claw marks? That was something else.

“Babe, last night was my fault,” he said, voice soft and sincere. “Sabrina had just gotten back and already ran into trouble… I was worried. I didn’t mean to say those things to you, okay?”

He kissed the back of her hand and smiled. “I’ve arranged something for tonight. Just a small get-together—Sabrina, Michaela, a few of our friends. We’ll celebrate your birthday properly. And Michaela wants to apologize for pushing you yesterday.”

He looked into her eyes like he meant every word. But Chelsea felt nothing but cold.

Last night, after she left, she realized she had forgotten the medicine the doctor prescribed. So she drove back to the hospital.

That’s when she overheard them again.

Michaela’s voice had been anxious as she said, “Bro, the plan didn’t work last night. What now?”

Sabrina replied casually, “What’s the big deal? Just invite her out tomorrow, say it’s to apologize for the push, then slip her the drug then.”

Magnus didn’t even protest.

Chelsea didn’t stay to hear the rest. She just grabbed the medicine and left.

Now he was back, pretending nothing had happened. Like he hadn’t planned to ruin her.

“I don’t feel like going,” she said, her voice flat.

Magnus’s expression darkened for a second, but it vanished just as quickly, replaced by a warm smile.

“Come on, don’t be like that. Everyone’s already invited. Don’t ruin the mood, okay?”

He pressed a kiss on her forehead like nothing was wrong.

“…Fine. I’ll go,” she said. “But I’ll choose the place.”

Since he wanted her to go, she would go. Besides, she also had something she needed to do.

Magnus paused, surprised. But he nodded. “Alright. Send me the address. I’ll pick you up after work.”

As he walked away to get changed, he turned back at the door.

“Oh, and wear something nice tonight. It’s your 28th birthday. Don’t leave yourself with regrets.”

Watching his retreating figure, her heart didn’t ache anymore.

Third Person POV

Time flew by. Chelsea was still reviewing some documents at home when Magnus pulled up in his car to pick her up.

She tucked the papers into her bag and got in without a word.

The car ride was quiet, and before long, they pulled up to the KTV lounge she had chosen.

As soon as they stepped into the private room, the loud, pounding music made her instinctively frown.

“There you are, Chelsea!” Sabrina called out, quickly rushing over. “Come sit here!”

Without waiting for a response, she grabbed Chelsea’s hand and led her right to the center of the room.

“They were supposed to welcome me back today,” Sabrina said with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes, “but Magnus insisted on making it your belated birthday party. So here I am, just tagging along.”

She gave Chelsea a look filled with mock sincerity. “See how much Magnus loves you? I hope you don’t mind me being here.”

Chelsea scanned the room quietly. Nearly everyone in the booth was either a friend of Sabrina’s or Magnus’s. A soft, humorless chuckle rose in her throat.

So this was her birthday celebration? Looked more like Sabrina’s welcome party in disguise.

Just then, Michaela came over, holding two glasses of wine.

“Chelsea, I’m really sorry about yesterday,” she said sheepishly. “I didn’t mean to push you like that. Please don’t be mad.”

She extended one of the glasses toward Chelsea.

Chelsea’s eyes flicked from the drink to Magnus, who was lounging nearby, silently smoking. He didn’t say a word or make a move.

A repeat of the same trick.

She wasn’t that naïve.

“If you’re sincerely apologizing, Michaela, then of course I forgive you,” Chelsea said, smiling. “But how about this—if you're really sorry, drink three glasses yourself. Then we’re good.”

Michaela’s expression changed instantly. Her hand trembled just slightly.

So the drink was spiked.

Before the tension could settle, Sabrina cut in.

“Oh, come on, Chelsea. Michaela’s just a kid. Don’t you think you’re taking this a bit far?”

She reached over and nudged the wine glass toward Chelsea again.

Chelsea stared at it for a long moment. Then her voice came out calm and clear.

“If she’s just a kid, then why don’t you drink it for her?”

“You—!” Sabrina froze, completely thrown off.

She hadn’t expected Chelsea to turn the tables so easily.

“Enough.” A cold voice rang out from the corner.

It was Magnus. He stubbed out his cigarette and slowly stood up.

“Chelsea, how long are you going to keep this up? Michaela already apologized. Why are you making things difficult?”

He stepped forward, his voice sharp and impatient. “Everyone’s here trying to give you a proper birthday, and this is how you act? Is this the kind of behavior your family raised you with?”

He reached out, took the wine from Sabrina’s hand, and gently pulled her behind him, shielding her like she was something precious.

“Drink it. Don’t ruin everyone’s mood.”

He placed the glass in front of Chelsea, his voice full of command and ice.

Chelsea looked at the drink, then slowly raised her gaze to the man she had loved for four years.

And in that moment, her heart shattered into pieces that she couldn’t gather anymore.

She checked the time. She had no desire to keep playing along with their twisted show. Without saying a word, she turned to leave.

But Magnus wasn’t done.

He grabbed her wrist, yanking her backward with force. As a result, she crashed onto the sofa, pain shooting through her.

Before she could react, he gripped her jaw tightly and forced the wine down her throat.

Chelsea choked, struggling, but his grip was iron.

No one stopped him. No one helped. Around her, people only watched, some amused, some indifferent.

Her vision blurred as the humiliation burned through her. And when the last drop of that wine was shoved down her throat, Magnus finally let go.

Gasping for air, Chelsea shoved him away with all her strength. She grabbed her bag and bolted for the restroom.