Chapter 2

It was a thick wad of cash. At a glance, there was probably around two thousand dollars. I gripped the broom, my fingernails digging into my flesh. It was generous of him to offer so much money to get someone to buy a cup of milkshake. If I was not mistaken, there were even blood stains on the top few notes. That was the money I left for him before going out last night. In fact, it was my salary from the barbecue restaurant. Before getting my salary, I accidentally cut my hand on a beer bottle and bled all over the floor. My wound was still bleeding when I took the money, so some notes were stained. In order not to let Julian worry, I simply wrapped up my wound with a bandage and put on a glove before going home. Julian didn't notice it. As soon as our dinner to celebrate his birthday was over, he indirectly informed me he had run out of his living expenses. I never expected him to offer me that same bundle of money to buy a milkshake for his "girlfriend". I wondered what that made me if Elena was his girlfriend. Suddenly, I had an epiphany. I was his amusement. The thought of that sent pangs of pain into my heart. Nonetheless, I quietly took the money from him and turned around to leave. It was pouring outside, but I didn't bother using an umbrella. There was no point using one in the heavy rain. By the time I returned to the private room with the milkshake, I was pathetically drenched. Placing the cup on the table, I informed hoarsely, "Here's your milkshake." Stunned, Julian looked at me suspiciously, though he was still unsure if it was really me. However, his dream woman frowned at the milkshake that had been drenched in rainwater. "I don't want it anymore—it's all melted and dirty." Snapping out of it, Julian said, "You don't need to drink it, then." He threw the milkshake into the trash can and looked at me indifferently with a dismissive wave. "You may leave." I gave him one last look before leaving the room. Since I was drenched, I was feeling light-headed by the time I finished cleaning the other rooms. At 4:00 am, I got off work. It had stopped raining, but the wind was sharp and biting. I dragged my feet out of the bar, wanting to go home while suppressing the dizziness. I was going to sort things out with Julian and give him the breakup he wanted. Halfway home, my head felt dizzier, and my vision grew blurrier. Suddenly, a honk sounded. All I saw was a car coming my way. I subconsciously moved backward, but I suddenly felt a sharp pain in my ankle and fell. The dizziness grew more intense. Too weak to stand, I watched the driver walk to me before losing consciousness. … "The patient's leg is fine. She has a high fever and is severely hypoglycemic. It's probably caused by malnutrition," someone said softly. "Okay. Thank you, doctor," answered a deep voice that sounded familiar. However, I could not recall where I had heard it before. As I tried to open my eyes, I felt a cold but large hand touch my forehead. The person's sleeve had a mellow, woody scent that was rather soothing. Suddenly, the person froze and retracted the hand. At the same time, I opened my eyes. When I saw who the person was, my mind blanked instantly. It was Alex Hastings. Seeing him here surprised me. The Alex I knew was a handsome, indifferent person who always wore a white shirt. After not seeing him for many years, he had become more mature. He looked respectable and elegant in his black suit and had a pair of glasses sitting on his nose bridge. His facial features had not changed much, still as delicate as ever. He looked like a sculpture in a museum. However, he exuded a more oppressive air now. For some reason, I felt suffocated just seeing him sit by my bed and looking at me. I opened my mouth and forced out a greeting, "Mr. Hastings…" Staring coldly at me from a higher point, he questioned, "You're not going to address me as Al anymore?" I didn't want to call him by his nickname although we were step-siblings. In fact, he should not want me to do that either. When I was younger, my mother was the Hastings family's nanny. When she first introduced him to me, she said he was the Hastings family's youngest son and I was not to disturb him. Thus, I did as told and watched him play the piano, paint, and read books I did not understand. I even addressed him as "Mr. Hastings". Back then, Alex was kind and gentle. He would pat my head, saying, "Don't call me that. You can call me Al." Even though I was the daughter of his nanny, he treated me well. He taught me how to play the piano and how to do my homework. He even brought me around to play and secretly got me sweets. As a young girl, I naturally had delusional dreams about him. Yet I was aware of the differences between us. Even the Blakes were not as respectable as the Hastings family, who monopolized all the industries and real estate in Grandview. The Hastings family was extensively involved in internet-related projects and e-commerce. As the only son of the family, Alex was like a prince. Back then, I hated my family background. I hated my father, who was a gambler. If I had been born to a rich family, perhaps I would've been qualified to fall in love with Alex. To my surprise, my wish came true—sort of. When Alex's father was drunk during one of the banquets, my mother slipped into his room. Just like that, she became his new wife. Unfortunately, Alex never let me address him by his name from then on. All that was left in his gaze for me was indifference and disgust. From that moment on, he became my step-brother. The last thing he said to me before that was "Do you also want to get to the top by approaching me?" From then on, I moved out of the Hastings residence and made a living on my own. At first, my mother would give me money. As time passed, she forgot the fact that she had a daughter and poured all her time and heart into winning the Hastings family's favor. That was why I worked so hard for the sake of Julian's promise—I desperately wanted a home. Recollecting my thoughts, I met Alex's icy gaze and replied politely, "Mr. Hastings, I'm just the daughter of a nanny. It's not appropriate for me to address you by your name." Alex eyed me, his gaze incomprehensible. After some time, he said plainly, "It's been so many years. You're still angry about it?" Turning my head away, I uttered, "I'm not angry. You still haven't told me why you're here." Alex leaned against the chair and stroked the armrest. "When you fainted on the street, a passerby found your mother's number on your phone. She isn't in Grandview now, so she asked me to come." I lowered my gaze, surprised by how he was willing to come despite his hatred for me. Pursing my lips, I said, "Thank you for coming all the way here, Mr. Hastings. I'm fine. You're quite busy, aren't you? Why don't you go home first? I'll be fine by myself." To my surprise, he lifted his chin and asked, "Where's that boyfriend of yours? Why isn't Julian here?" I froze and asked instinctively, "You know Julian Blake?"