The doctor insisted on keeping me in the hospital for observation. Lucas Gray, the neighbor who brought me in, didn't leave. Instead, he handled all the admission procedures and even advanced the medical fees for me.

"Hazel, do you need me to notify any other family members?" Lucas asked politely.

I watched the medicine dripping into the IV tube and shook my head.

"No need. When I get discharged, I'm filing for divorce."

Lucas raised an eyebrow, a flash of surprise in his eyes that quickly settled into calm, perhaps even a hint of approval. "A wise decision."

His reaction surprised me. In the past, whenever I occasionally complained to friends, all I got were clichés advising reconciliation over separation.

"I'm sorry to drag you into my mess," I said apologetically.

Lucas smiled. It was a contagious smile, carrying a reassuring strength. "Just neighbors helping neighbors. Don't worry about it."

Just then, Dominic finally sent a message. It was a photo of a necklace—garish in design and studded with cheap rhinestones.

[Bought you a necklace to celebrate the fifth anniversary. Don't say I'm not romantic.]

Almost out of instinct, I clicked on Bella's profile. Sure enough, five minutes ago, she had posted a dazzling pink diamond necklace.

Her caption: [Dom says this diamond is as charming as my eyes. As for the free gift that came with the purchase... better leave it for someone who needs comforting.]

I let out a cold laugh. So the "anniversary gift" I received was nothing more than a promotional freebie Bella had picked over and trampled on.

I replied: [Keep it for yourself to wear. Or give it to Bella; it matches her cheap taste perfectly.]

The phone rang immediately. Dominic's voice was filled with rage.

"Hazel, have you lost your mind? Bella is our brand ambassador! I maintain a good relationship with her for the company's benefit! Can your brain hold anything other than jealousy?"

"Benefit?" I felt a wave of absurdity. "Our 'business' involves you taking my designs to curry favor with her, and then tossing her trash at me?"

"You are simply unreasonable! You had nothing back then. If I hadn't founded the company, your designs would still be a pile of waste paper! You should be grateful!"

Grateful?

Dominic and I met in design school. Back then, he was a rich kid who couldn't even hold a paintbrush steady, while I was already making a name for myself in various competitions. He was the one who begged me to complete his graduation project; he was the one who begged me to join his startup. For five years, I remained in the shadows, watching him sign his name to my work and enjoy the vanity of being a "genius designer."

Who exactly should be grateful?

"Hazel, have some porridge." Lucas walked in carrying takeout.

Dominic, on the other end of the line, clearly heard the man's voice.

"Who is in your room? Hazel, you dare cheat on me behind my back? Get that wild man out of there immediately!"

I took a deep breath and said calmly, "I'm in the hospital, Dominic. I almost died at home."

There was silence on the other end for two seconds, followed by a scoff.

"Lie. Keep lying. You'd even curse yourself just to get me to come back? Is the next thing you're going to say is that you have a terminal illness? Bella is just a little nervous and needs company, and you put on this pity play. It's disgusting."

I gripped the phone, my knuckles turning white.

"Dominic, I didn't expect you to come back. In fact, without you, the air is fresher."

I hung up and tossed the phone aside.

Three days later, I could barely manage to walk. Lucas insisted on driving me home.

"I have a car, I can..."

"You just had surgery, don't be stubborn." Lucas took my bag without allowing any argument.

When we arrived downstairs at my apartment, just as I was about to get out, a red sports car screeched to a halt beside us. Dominic stormed over furiously, yanked the car door open, and grabbed my wrist.

"Where the hell have you been these past few days? The house is a pigsty, no laundry done, no food cooked! Have you forgotten your place?"

I shook off his hand and looked at him coldly. "I told you I was in the hospital. Are you deaf?"

Dominic looked me up and down and sneered, "You look energetic enough to me. Enough energy to flirt with some wild man in a car?"

He turned to look at Lucas in the driver's seat, his eyes sinister. "Who are you? Stay away from my wife."

Lucas unbuckled his seatbelt and stepped out of the car calmly. He was half a head taller than Dominic, his presence instantly suppressing the other man.

"I'm her neighbor. And you, as her husband, were keeping another woman company while her life hung in the balance. What right do you have to question anyone?"

Dominic was momentarily speechless, then turned angry from embarrassment. Ignoring Lucas, he forcibly shoved me into his sports car.

"Cut the crap. There's an important gala tonight. Bella needs you to adjust her gown."