The expected sound of the door shutting never comes.

I look up, and tears spill out before I can stop them.

Lin Yuji cups my face, his cool fingertips brushing over my swollen eyelids. “Why are you crying?”

“I…” I manage one word before a phone ring cuts me off.

The screen shows it’s Xu Chen calling.

I reach to grab it, but Lin Yuji snatches it first.

I start to panic. “Xu Chen’s probably called me a ton last night—if I don’t reach out, he’ll worry.”

Lin Yuji glances down at me, his tone matter-of-fact. “I’ll handle it for you.”

“No!”

I’m terrified Xu Chen might spill about my illness, but I try to stop him—only to realize my ankle’s bound by a chain, leaving me helpless as Lin Yuji walks out with my phone.

That’s when I notice the iron collar around my ankle, its chain tethered to the bedpost.

No wonder he didn’t leave after the divorce talk—he’s been planning to keep me chained to him from the start.

But… why?

My body’s already spent from last night, and I’ve just been forcing myself to stay alert.

As I’m about to pass out again, Lin Yuji bursts back in, his refined face pale as a ghost.

He undoes the shackle on my ankle, scoops me up in his arms, and strides out.

Curled against his chest, my mind starts to fade.

Just before I lose consciousness, I feel a few hot drops splash onto my face.