Goodbye, Toxic Love

Chapter 2

As soon as we entered the bedroom, Ethan expertly grabbed the medicine box and found the ointment he needed to apply.

His fingers were long and fair, with no calluses. His fingertips were warm, and every time he applied the ointment, it was with such tenderness and care, as if he couldn’t bear to hurt me.

He was always grateful for my efforts, and I, in turn, was happy to do it all for him.

I couldn’t help but watch him as he squeezed out the ointment. He was so handsome, even just his side profile showed he was a favorite of the heavens.

When we first got married, I’d caught many women giving me envious looks. There were even some that tried to flirt with him, but Ethan always kept his distance. Not one of those women ever got close to him in college, and even after starting his company, most of his assistants were men.

He had always been so careful with his boundaries, so taking in Cece must just be his way of repaying a favor.

After all, his company wouldn’t have started without the help of his mentor.

I kept finding excuses for him.

But then, the next second, I heard a pathetic, wounded cry coming from the guest room.

Before I could react, I saw Ethan drop the ointment and rush out in panic. I followed closely behind him.

In the living room, Cece stood there, clutching her finger, with a drop of bright red blood hanging from it.

Chris stood in front of her, his face burning with anger, while Cece uncontrollably started to cry.

"What happened?" Ethan immediately rushed over and took her hand, concern flooding his face.

Chris shot me a fiery glare and shouted, "Why did you hide a needle under Aunt Cece’s blanket?"

"I didn’t!" I froze for a moment and instinctively denied it.

"You should’ve just said you didn’t want to make the bed for Aunt Cece. Do you realize that needle almost went into her face?" he spat, his fury rising even more as he seemed to remember something. "Did you put poison on that needle?"

"Dad, we need to take Aunt Cece to get checked out!"

I looked to Ethan for help. He knew me well.

I would never go so low as to harm someone with such sneaky tricks. Even if something had happened, I would have faced it head-on and solved it openly.

But Ethan looked at me, his eyes full of disappointment. "Lauren Quinn, how could you be so malicious now?"

Hearing him call me by my full name, I knew he was furious.

In front of these two, my attempts to explain felt so utterly helpless.

The two of them surrounded Cece and rushed out to the hospital.

I wanted to go too. I needed to know exactly what was going on with that needle. I needed to get to the bottom of it.

"If you’re saying I put it there, the needle should have my fingerprints on it. Why don’t you just call the police and have them check it?" I suggested.

"Are you serious? It’s not the time for your nonsense! Lauren, with your education, you don’t even know to wear gloves when you’re framing someone?" Ethan’s eyes were filled with disgust.

He ordered me to stay at home and wait. If they found any harmful substances on that needle, he wouldn’t let me off.

Chris, with his toy knife, jabbed it hard at my chest. "You’re not allowed to hurt my Aunt Cece!"

The person who once promised to protect me was now standing by Cece’s side.

And the victim, Cece, stood there, pale and pitiful. "I shouldn’t have come to stay here. I won’t call the police, no matter what happens. Mrs. Beaufort, I’m sorry."

"Cece, you don’t need to apologize. It was my decision to have you stay here," Ethan quickly reassured her, pulling her close.

Watching them, my chest felt like it was suffocating.

As they left, I caught a glimpse of Cece’s triumphant smile.

This was a blatant set-up.

But the worst part was that my son and husband were both on her side.

My heart felt like it had been torn open, a gaping wound that was bleeding. I could hardly breathe as I collapsed onto the table, gasping for air.

I had been diagnosed with myocardial ischemia, though it wasn’t serious. When it was first discovered, I just took some medication and felt better.

But today, I could feel the symptoms returning.

I quickly pulled out my phone and called Ethan.

Before it even rang twice, he hung up.

My heart sank, but the instinct to survive drove me to try again.

After three more hang-ups, he finally answered.