Bryan grabbed my hand, trying to pull the IV out of my arm.
“Sir, I’m sorry, but Miss Elena needs rest. She just had abdominal surgery,” said a nurse watching over me.
Bryan stared at the nurse blankly. “I’m paying you to keep quiet.”
The nurse immediately bowed her head and left.
Meanwhile, I watched as Bryan’s hands hurriedly removed my IV. He wasn’t skilled at it and struggled.
“Let go. I can do it myself, Bryan!”
But it was too late. Bryan had succeeded. But blood was gushing from my hand. The pain choked my throat.
“What are you doing? Where do you expect me to go after all this chaos?” I asked angrily.
Bryan ignored me. Panic had been etched on his face from the start. Then he dragged me out of the hospital toward the car. My blood dripped onto the hospital floor. I struggled, but Bryan used my lack of strength to his advantage.
On the way, I realized the car was heading toward a place I knew all too well.
The European Competition.
“Livia needs your help,” Bryan said without looking at me. “She said she forgot some ingredients in the recipe. To make sure Livia succeeds, you have to help her behind the scenes.”
“Are you serious?” I choked, fighting the urge to vomit. “After taking my recipe and my ticket, you also want me to help Livia win the competition of my dreams?”
Bryan stared at me intently. A look I’d never felt before.
“Just do as I say. Then our wedding will still go ahead.”
I spat. Rage flared in my chest. “Who wants a wedding? I want to leave you!”
Bryan just laughed. Loudly. “Leave where? Do you think you have a place to go? What culinary group would take in a cripple like you? You’re lucky I’m being kind enough to take you in.”
My eyes stung. My chest burned. Unable to take it anymore, I opened the car door to get out.
I wanted to jump.
I didn’t care if I got hurt. The pain of seeing my dream competition was torture enough.
But Bryan saw what I was doing. The moment the door opened, he actually sped up the car. A strong wind hit my face, making it hard to breathe. I wouldn’t just get hurt—I’d almost die for nothing if I jumped.
“Go ahead and jump if you dare, Elena,” Bryan said casually.
“Why are you backing down?” Bryan swerved the car left and right on that empty road. “Aren’t you the one who wanted to leave?”