Chapter 2

Nora's POV

The smell of disinfectant.

I opened my eyes to a white ceiling and a familiar, handsome face.

"Julian?" I asked, my voice hoarse.

Julian turned his head. Seeing me awake, his eyes instantly filled with joy and lingering fear. "Nora, you're finally awake."

He handed me a glass of warm water. "I couldn't reach you, so I went straight to the estate. Who knew they'd lock you in the basement, knowing you're afraid of the dark!"

I took the water and watched him sigh. "I almost went to war with the Harrisons, forcing them to let you go - you were burning with fever and unconscious."

"Thank you, Julian." I took a sip of water, the dryness in my throat easing slightly.

Julian looked at me, his eyes reflecting my pale face.

"Nora, come with me." He took my hand, his gaze intensely serious. "Caleb has amnesia. This is your only chance to leave him. I'll take you away, to a place he'll never find."

I gently withdrew my hand and shook my head.

"I'm already processing my visa," I said softly. "The Harrisons gave me money and property to leave."

Seeing Julian's worried look, I explained, "Caleb's background is complicated. It's not easy for him to travel abroad. Only if I leave will he truly not find me."

This was the safest way.

I didn't want to trade one cage for another; I wanted complete freedom.

Julian was silent for a moment, then finally respected my decision. "Okay, I'll help you."

Just then, the TV screen on the hospital room wall lit up. A financial news bulletin filled the silence.

"Breaking News: The Harrison Group and Vance Enterprises announce a historic alliance, to be cemented next month by the engagement of Caleb Harrison to heiress Vanessa Vance."

The screen showed Caleb, imposing in a tailored suit, his expression unreadable. Beside him, Vanessa stood elegant and poised in white.

They were the picture of a perfect, powerful union.

Julian grabbed the remote, trying to turn it off.

"It's okay." I stopped him, unusually calm. "Julian, I don't care."

My heart was already dead. Seeing this merely confirmed that it wouldn't beat again.

Over the next few days, Julian used his connections to expedite my overseas travel procedures.

"The visa should be ready in two weeks at the fastest." Coming out of the embassy, Julian handed me back my passport.

On the way back, he casually mentioned, "My company happens to have a project launching overseas. I might be going there too. Maybe... maybe we'll even run into each other then."

I knew he was carefully making excuses, afraid of putting any pressure on me.

I recognized his thoughtfulness and felt a warmth in my chest. I softly said, "Okay."

The car stopped in front of the Harrison estate.

I pushed open the car door. Due to my weakness, I stumbled slightly.

Julian immediately steadied me. "Careful."

His palm was warm and strong, conveying a comforting strength through the thin fabric of my clothes.

I instinctively looked up, intending to thank him.

But the moment I looked up, my face instantly turned ashen.

On the steps not far away, Caleb stood.

His icy gaze was fixed on our clasped hands.

His eyes held the look I once knew all too well, filled with a violent possessiveness and an impending, explosive madness.

My whole body trembled. My blood ran cold.

Hadn't he forgotten everything?