Clive couldn’t stand the sight of blood on himself. The second he noticed the stains, he felt uncomfortable all over. He booked an hour at the nearest five-star hotel and had someone bring him a clean set of clothes. After a long shower, he changed and tossed his old, bloodied clothes straight into the trash.
By the time he’d pulled himself together and headed back to the hospital room, Kristen was already awake.
“Salmeron…” Her voice was weak, her face so pale and pitiful that she almost looked see-through.
Clive didn’t say a word at first. He just walked over and raised the head of her hospital bed so she could sit up more comfortably.
“Is Amelia okay?” Kristen’s eyes were locked onto Clive’s face, searching for any hint of emotion. Just as he moved his hand away, she grabbed his sleeve, her voice cracking. “Clive, please, you have to believe me…”
Tears streamed silently down her cheeks.
Kristen choked out, “I swear, I didn’t lock Amelia in the bathroom. I don’t even know that crazy woman…”
Clive just looked at her for a moment, then gently wiped her tears away.
“How long have we known each other, Kristen?” His voice was soft, the same gentle tone he always used.
Kristen looked up at him, tears blurring her vision. She wasn’t sure why he was asking, but she answered anyway.
“Ten years… I was a freshman, and you were the upperclassman in charge of our military training.”
Clive nodded, pulling over a chair and sitting by her bed. The gray-blue shirt he wore brought out his good looks, making him seem even more attractive than she remembered.
Back then, falling for Clive at first sight just made sense. Even after all these years, he’d only grown more mature and magnetic.
She barely had time to get lost in the memory before Clive spoke again, voice low. “I’ve known Amelia for fifteen years.”
The meaning was clear: compared to Kristen, Clive knew Amelia better.
Kristen’s face froze. Under the covers, she gripped the sheet tight, her knuckles turning white.
Clive watched her quietly, almost as if he didn’t want to say something harsh.
“Kristen, I’ll admit—these past few years with you have been… easy. Your little tricks, I could overlook. But Amelia is my wife. She’s the mother of my kids.”


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