Chapter 2: The Key to Our Vows

The next day, wearing a new pair of heels, I pushed open the door to the VIP ward again.

I gripped our marriage certificate in one hand. On my wrist was a custom-made silver bracelet engraved with our initials. It had no clasp; the only key hung on a red string around Caspian's neck.

I took a deep breath. He is just sick. Be patient.

But the scene inside instantly shattered my resolve.

Ivy was sitting by the bed, holding a bowl of hot soup. She blew on a spoonful and brought it to Caspian's lips.

Caspian—a man who hated being touched by anyone but me—obediently opened his mouth.

"Mrs. Solis?" Ivy spotted me and immediately stood up, clinging to Caspian's arm. Her voice was sickeningly sweet. "What are you doing here? Caspian just had some of my soup. Would you like some?"

She was marking her territory.

Anger swallowed my reason. If it were not for Ivy, we would not have fought, he would not have driven out late at night, and he would not have lost his memory!

"Who the hell do you think you are?"

I marched over, raised my hand, and slapped Ivy hard across the face.

SLAP.

"You do not get to play house here! Get out!" I pointed at the door, shaking with rage.

Ivy shrieked, clutching her cheek, and collapsed into Caspian's arms.

"Caspian... I just offered her soup. Why did she hit me?" she sobbed, though a flash of triumph crossed her eyes.

The next second, a brutal force shoved my shoulder.

Caught off guard, I crashed onto the cold floor. A sharp pain shot through my ankle.

I stared up in disbelief.

It was Caspian who pushed me. He was shielding Ivy like she was a fragile treasure, glaring down at me as if I were dead to him.

"Apologize to her," he demanded.

"What did you say?" I thought I misheard him.

"I said, apologize to Ivy!" Caspian roared, his mafia aura suffocating the room. "Are you crazy? Who gave you the right to touch her?"

My chest felt like it was being ripped open. I scrambled up and threw the marriage certificate onto the bed.

"Look at it! I am your wife! We have been married for five years!" I screamed, my eyes red.

Caspian did not even glance at the paper. He sneered.

"Wife? Ivy told me everything." He glared at me with pure contempt. "You drugged me and forced me to marry you. I never loved you."

I froze, stunned. "She is lying! We were childhood sweethearts!"

"Shut up!" Caspian snapped. "I know myself. Why would I ever like a bossy, vicious, boring woman like you? I like gentle, kind girls like Ivy."

Gentle? Kind?

Ivy, still buried in his chest, turned her head slightly and gave me a winner's smirk.

"Caspian, do not be mad," Ivy coaxed softly. "If she hates me so much, I should just leave..."

"You are not going anywhere," Caspian held her tighter, kissing her hair. "She is the one who needs to get the hell out."

I was desperate, but I had to try one last time.

I pulled up my sleeve, revealing the silver bracelet.

"Caspian, look at this." My voice trembled as I pointed to the red string peeking out of his hospital gown. "This is our promise. My bracelet can only be opened by the key around your neck. If you do not love me, why do you wear it over your heart?"

Caspian glanced down at his chest. He was indeed wearing a small silver key.

A sliver of hope sparked in me. If he just touched it, maybe he would remember.

Right then, Ivy gasped in pain, covering her face. "Ouch... Caspian, my cheek hurts so much. Is it swelling?"

Caspian's attention snapped back to her. He gently cupped her face, inspecting the red mark.

"Doctor! Get a doctor in here!" he yelled toward the door.

Then, he turned back to me. His eyes were ice.

Without a second of hesitation, he yanked the red string off his neck, snapping it.

CLINK.

The silver key, the symbol of our vows, flew through the air and landed perfectly in the trash can in the corner.

He stared at me coldly. "There is your answer."