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.

Third Person POV

After throwing up everything she could, until there was nothing left, Chelsea finally stopped. Her hands dropped to her sides, exhausted.

She stared at herself in the mirror—disheveled hair, smeared makeup, eyes red and glassy. A bitter smile tugged at her lips.

'What exactly am I so upset about? Is it the three years I'd spent by his side? Or the foolish hope that maybe, just maybe, Magnus has a heart?' she wondered.

Deep down, she’d known tonight was a trap. A setup disguised as a celebration. But some small part of her still hoped that, after everything they’d been through, he would spare her some dignity.

But she was wrong.

Another look at her reflection, the mess caused by tears and struggle, and her heart clenched. The tears she’d held back finally spilled over.

Taking a deep breath, she fixed her makeup, straightened her outfit, and pulled herself together. Then, without looking back, she walked out of the bathroom and into a different private room.

The moment she opened the door, a deep, smooth voice greeted her.

“There you are, Miss Schneider. I was beginning to think you stood me up.”

She smiled politely. “I’m so sorry, Mr. Malcom. Something came up on the way here. To make it up to you, how about I drink three glasses as an apology?” She reached for a glass on the table, ready to down it, but the man sitting across from her gently stopped her.

“Please, there's no need for that. A gentleman should know how to wait for a lady,” Alaric said with a charming smile. “Let’s talk about the contract first.”

He pulled out a file from beside him and invited her to sit down.

Years ago, they’d briefly met at a formal party. She remembered him well, even though his family had moved their business overseas not long after. Now, he was back—and he wasn’t just anyone anymore. Alaric was the current head of the Malcom Corporation.

Chelsea had only found out last night that he’d returned to the country. Remembering that her father still had overseas projects pending—and that this very KTV was part of the Malcom family’s holdings—she decided to reach out.

She hadn’t expected him to agree to meet her so quickly, let alone be this open to working together.

Their meeting went smoothly. The conversation was pleasant and productive. But just as Alaric offered to drive her home, trouble arrived—right at the entrance of the KTV.

“Oh my god, Chelsea! There you are! We’ve been looking all over for you!” Sabrina’s voice was loud and cheery as she rushed forward and grabbed Chelsea’s arm.

“You said you were going to the bathroom, but you never came back. Everyone was getting worried! Come on, everyone’s waiting for you!”

She tugged at Chelsea’s arm, trying to drag her back inside. But Chelsea stood her ground.

“If you all want to go back in, be my guest. I’ve got things to do—I’m leaving.”

She pulled her arm free and turned to get into Alaric’s car. But Sabrina quickly caught her again.

“Aw, come on, Chelsea. We were just messing around earlier. Don’t be so sensitive! Don’t ruin the mood for everyone, okay?”

She tried to pull Chelsea back again, but this time, Alaric stepped in. He caught Chelsea’s other hand and gently pulled her to his side. He noticed her reluctance, so he couldn't help but make a move.

“Miss,” he said to Sabrina, his tone calm but firm, “can’t you see she doesn’t want to go back in?”

That’s when Sabrina finally looked him in the face.

“Well, if it isn’t Mr. Malcom!” she said, her voice suddenly becoming much more polite.

“It’s nothing serious—just a little joke we played earlier. Chelsea got a bit upset, that’s all. We just came to find her so everyone could apologize, smooth things over.”

Still smiling, she tried once again to pull Chelsea away, but her efforts were futile.

Then Magnus appeared. He didn’t say a word as he walked up and grabbed Chelsea’s hand. With a little force, he yanked her straight into his arms.

“You—” Alaric started to speak, but held back.

“Oh, Mr. Malcom,” Sabrina chirped again with a sweet smile, “Don’t worry, it’s just a little lovers’ spat. They’ll be fine in a bit. You must be busy. Why don’t you go ahead and take care of your things?”

Without giving him a chance to respond, she reached over and opened Alaric’s car door, as if dismissing him.