Chapter 2: One Year Before the Incident
1014 Words
"Thank goodness you're awake. I was so worried when I heard you fainted at the office earlier," Arsen said, sitting on a chair that had been moved beside the bed.
Ivana immediately lowered her head and touched her chest in confusion.
"What's wrong? Does your chest hurt? Should we go to the hospital?" Arsen asked, his concern evident.
Ivana did not answer Arsen’s question right away. She looked around the room. "Is this my room?" she muttered.
"Yes, this is our room. Is something wrong?" Arsen asked, confused by Ivana’s bewildered expression.
"Father? I-I have to see my father," Ivana said, hurriedly getting out of bed and rushing out of the room.
"Ivana, wait! You just regained consciousness," Arsen called out, chasing after Ivana, who was running barefoot.
Ivana nearly stumbled on the staircase due to her haste, but Arsen swiftly grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his embrace just in time.
"Be careful, you could have fallen," Arsen said.
Ivana pulled away from him and looked at Arsen. His gaze was warm—so different from the last time she had seen it.
"Where is my father?" Ivana asked.
"He's on his way here. He had a meeting outside with Mr. Andrew," Arsen replied.
At that moment, the sound of the elevator chimed as its doors opened.
"Ivana?" Joseph called out, quickly walking toward his daughter.
"Father?" Ivana freed herself from Arsen’s grip and rushed to Joseph, embracing him with relief.
"How are you? I heard you fainted at the office," Joseph asked as he pulled away from the hug.
"I'm fine," Ivana replied.
"Arsen, have you called Dr. Rio?" Joseph asked.
"Yes, Father. Ivana was just exhausted," Arsen answered.
"You must have been overworking yourself, neglecting your health. Go back to your room and get some rest. Arsen, take your wife back to bed," Joseph instructed.
"Alright." Arsen wrapped an arm around Ivana’s waist. "Let’s go back to the room, love."
Arsen was surprised when Ivana stepped away from him. "I can go by myself," she said and walked away, leaving the two men staring at her in confusion.
"Looks like she’s sulking," Joseph chuckled.
"Excuse me, then," Arsen said, following after Ivana.
When Arsen entered the room, Ivana was already lying down, her back facing the door where he stood.
Arsen walked closer to her, noticing that she had closed her eyes, pretending to be asleep.
"I know you're pretending," Arsen said, holding back a smile as he crouched in front of Ivana. He gently stroked her head and spoke softly, "Then rest well. I’ll be in my study. If you need anything, call me immediately."
He stood up and added, "I love you, Ivana." Arsen caressed her head before leaving the room.
After hearing the door close, Ivana opened her eyes, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"He's such a good actor," she muttered, crying as memories of her past life flooded her mind.
Once she was done crying, Ivana sat up and reached for her phone. She looked at the date displayed on the screen.
"The year 2023?" she whispered. "One year before that incident."
Ivana sat in deep thought. "I clearly remember being stabbed—the suffocating pain, the unbearable agony. How am I back in the past?" she wondered.
"Is this a chance from God? So I can save the company, Uncle, and Father from that deceitful man?" she muttered.
"I—" Ivana’s gaze fell on the profile picture on her phone—a wedding photo of her and Arsen. A once joyful memory now felt like a dagger lodged deeper in her heart. "Why? Why did you have to do that, Arsen?"
Ivana wept again, recalling how cruelly Arsen had murdered her uncle and stabbed her in the heart. The cold, merciless look in his eyes—so unlike anything she had ever seen from him before—was now burned into her memory.
"What should I do now? How do I stop what Arsen is going to do? How can I save my family from that ruthless man?"
Ivana stared at her reflection as she brushed her long, flowing hair.
"The first thing I must do is get away from him. I have to file for divorce and end this marriage built on lies and deceit," she resolved, her eyes glistening with tears.
Deciding to separate from the man who had filled her life with love and cherished memories was anything but easy. Every night, she reminisced about their happiest moments, as if they were scenes from a beautiful dream. But now, she realized it had all been an elaborate act.
The truth was, Arsen had married her solely for revenge—over something Ivana herself did not even understand. It felt as if her entire world had suddenly collapsed before her eyes.
"Was I too blind to see his lies? Or was he simply too skilled at deception?" Ivana wondered, replaying memories of how perfect Arsen had seemed. She had once thought herself lucky to have such a caring, thoughtful, and patient husband. But in reality, it was all just a facade, concealing his true motives.
Ivana wiped away her tears. She had made up her mind—she would divorce Arsenio.
"Are you going to the office?" Arsen asked when he saw Ivana dressed neatly.
"Yes, I’m heading to work," Ivana replied coldly.
Arsen approached her, and she instinctively took a step back.
"Why?" Arsen frowned at her reaction.
"Ah, I… I have to leave now," Ivana said hastily, trying to walk past him, but Arsen caught her wrist.
"W-what?"
Ivana shut her eyes, bracing herself in fear as Arsen raised his hand.
"I just wanted to check your temperature. Are you really feeling better?" Arsen said, placing the back of his hand on her forehead.
"I’m fine now," Ivana quickly pulled away. "I have to go."
She hurried out, leaving Arsen staring after her.
"What’s wrong with her?" Arsen muttered, realizing that Ivana had been avoiding him since yesterday. "Did I do something wrong? Why does she seem so distant?"
***
- Writer
