The Billionaire Ex-Wife's Regret

Chapter 2

The sting of cold steel touched my arm.

Vivian Xavier stood over me, calm as ever, her perfume thick in the air.

"Hold him down," she ordered.

The bodyguards didn't hesitate. One clamped down on each shoulder, pinning me to the chair.

I sucked in a sharp breath as the needle sank in.

A voice called out from the hallway—shaky, anxious.

"Ms. Xavier, his heart can't handle this much blood—"

Vivian cut the doctor off. "I said draw it. Adrian can't wait."

I tilted my head back, eyes fixed on the chandelier overhead. Its light swam in and out of focus.

Then, unexpectedly, her hand brushed the sweat from my forehead.

"Does it hurt?" she asked softly, almost sweet.

I turned my face away.

The syringe kept filling—dark, slow, steady.

My world tilted.

From the next room, Adrian's weak voice floated out.

"Vivian…"

She let go of my arm instantly. The needle yanked free. Blood dripped down, spattering on the floor.

"Keep going," she said to the doctor, already halfway out the door. "Double the amount."

The doctor hesitated, voice shaking. "This could kill him—"

"Then stop when there's only a breath left." Her heels clicked away. "Adrian can't afford to wait."

I stared at the raw red streak on my wrist… and let out a soft laugh.

"Go ahead. Once you're done, I'll finally be free."

When I came to, antiseptic stung my nose. I was back in bed, the sharp scent pressing against my skull.

Vivian was sitting beside me, casually signing papers like nothing had happened.

Scratch-scratch-scratch.

Her pen sounded just like the needle had—drawing me dry.

She lifted a bowl of porridge.

"Eat."

I turned my head and waved it off. "I can feed myself."

Her hand paused in midair.

"My phone," I said, my voice rough.

Her eyes narrowed. For the first time, she looked at me like I was something foreign.

The butler brought it over. The screen lit up—dozens of missed calls.

Her voice snapped.

"Who is it?"

"A friend," I said, unlocking the screen.

She yanked at her collar—a dead giveaway she was pissed.

"Samuel, don't you dare—"

"Adrian's calling," I cut in.

Just like that, her whole face shifted. She rushed out of the room.

The phone buzzed in my hand.

I answered.

The voice on the other end came through ragged and furious.

"Samuel! You lied to me!"

"There was a… complication," I muttered.

"What complication? I'm booking a flight right now—"

Down the hallway, I heard Vivian laugh.

I stared at the blood still flowing into the IV line beside me, dark and slow.

Yeah.

This time, I was really leaving.