I didn't look at him. Didn't answer. Just kept my eyes down and walked forward, one agonizing step at a time.
How did I end up like this?
The man I'd loved with everything I had for four years—how could he let me fall this far?
What a joke.
He followed behind me, his footsteps quickening, his tone sharpening with impatience.
"Marilyn, how long are you going to keep this up?"
I stopped dead in my tracks. Slowly turned to face him.
"Miles. Am I the one causing problems here?"
His mouth opened. Closed. Not a single word came out.
The silence stretched on until he finally managed:
"You should have told me you were coming."
"And about Stacy—I can explain everything."
Before I could respond, he kept going.
"My mother has always wanted me to marry someone from a suitable family. Stacy fits the bill."
"What you saw between us? It's all an act for my family. Once this charade is over, I'll marry you. I promise."
My gaze dropped to the bracelet on my wrist. I said nothing.
I stared at it for a long moment. Then I slipped it off.
"This one is fake, isn't it?"
Miles's eyes darted away. He stumbled over his words.
"When we get married, I'll give you the real one."
"The one Stacy's wearing—my mother forced it on her. There was nothing I could do."
Before I could refuse, he grabbed my arm and pulled me into the car.
"Hospital first. We'll talk about everything else later."
I sat in the passenger seat, every part of me resisting.
But I knew I couldn't gamble with my own body.
At the hospital, X-rays, examinations, one procedure after another—by the end, I didn't even have the strength to lift my arm.
The doctor returned with the films.
"Two broken ribs. Multiple soft tissue contusions. You'll need to stay for observation."
Miles took the X-rays, his brow furrowing. When he turned to me, guilt crept into his voice.
"Marilyn, I'm sorry. I let you suffer like this. I'll make it up to you—I promise."
The words had barely left his mouth when his phone rang.
He glanced at the screen, and his expression shifted instantly. He answered in a rush.
"Stacy? What's wrong?"
Her voice came through the line, broken and tearful.
"I had another nightmare about Marilyn. She broke into our home and smashed everything."
Miles soothed her patiently, though his brow furrowed deeper with each word.
"It's okay, baby. Don't be scared. I'm coming home right now."
"I won't let anyone hurt you ever again."