Xeria’s P.O.V

I groan as I open my eyes and see a white ceiling again. I try to sit up, but I don't feel any energy in my body.

"Careful." Grunge helps me, and I nod.

"What was it this time?" I ask him, leaning back with a sigh.

"Everything that you've been hiding," he answers, crossing his arms over his chest.

I see the chain around my wrist and begin to panic again, wondering if Khaos saw this or if he was here because he couldn't see this.

"Was Khaos here?" I ask Grunge in panic.

"No," he replies with a frown, and I breathe a sigh of relief.

"Here," Grunge hands me over his phone, and I take it confused, but then I see Dad's name on the screen and hold it up to my ear.

"Are you ok, honey?" he asks me, all worried.

"I'm fine, and I will be back today, dad. Don't worry," I answer, looking at the chain around my wrist.

"You will not listen, even if I ask you to stay there and take rest. Just don't rush. I will handle everything here, and honey, you don't need to worry about anything; just take care of yourself." He tries to comfort me, but I know, but I have done nothing.

I have again troubled him with my stupidity, but I just say yes and hang up.

"Your secretary has been calling you; return his calls too," Grunge informs me, and the image of Moira being irritated with this whole fiasco flashes through my mind, but nonetheless I call him.

"Xeria, finally, are you ok?" he asks me with a sigh.

"I think so," I answer, waiting for the scoldings to follow.

"Take rest. Sir Louis instructed us to release an official statement, and the team did as he instructed us to. You can also check it, and we're also looking for the source of the news and handling things in the media, so don't pay much thought and return back soon; you have a lot of work to do." He informs me about everything, and I hang up to look for the statement.

“Ms. Xeria and Mr. Jake were in a relationship during their college years, but soon after, they parted ways on mutual terms and went their separate ways. As of now, the two parties are on friendly terms and see each other often due to the same business circle. The intention behind these articles is to clearly malign the parties involved, and we have taken this matter seriously and will investigate the source of these articles and take strict measures against this.”

Thankfully, there was no mention of the annulment because there's no need to drag Khaos into all this. The memories of last night come running back—his touch, his concern, his warmth, his voice—everything felt like a dream.

And it should stay like a dream only because he is with someone else, and that someone is not me and will never be.

"Thank you, Grunge." I smile at him, and he just nods.

He seems to be a bit moody, and I can't really figure out what has gotten on his nerves now.

"What now?" he asks, sliding his phone back in the pocket.

"We're going back," I inform him in an obvious tone.

"You need to see a therapist and see if you need any medications for yourself—"Does Dad know the reason behind my hospitalization?" I interrupt him.

"I only told him that it was fatigue," he answers after a pause.

"Then we can leave," I smile, getting out of bed only to touch the icy floor.

"I will wait outside, change into a fresh set of clothes, and then we will leave." He complies with my decision, and I can't be more thankful.

After that, I change and gather up my belongings. I pick up my phone when I hear a knock at the door.

"Come in," I respond, packing my bag.

"Xeria," I hear a call, and I know exactly who it is.

"Jake, why are you here?" I ask, turning to face him.

"I need to talk to you," he says, approaching me.

"You should not be here." Exhaling, I turn around to pick up my bag.

"Xeria I understand what you're thinking, but I didn't post those pictures, believe me," he admits, running his fingers through his hair.

"You could've called me rather than coming here. What if somebody sees you?" I inquire, glancing at his dishevelled appearance.

"I have been trying, but I guess your phone wasn't with you," he says, pulling his phone from his pocket.

"Jake, what could be a plausible explanation for this mess? We both understand that only you and I have access to our photos. Do you know what they call us? Homewreckers, or perhaps that term is just for me. What should I do? Tell me," I demand, moving closer to him.

"I'm not sure, but I'm trying to figure out the cause," he says, moving in front of me.

"I have reason to believe it was you. You visited the therapist at the same time. Maybe it's a coincidence, but then you confess your lingering feelings to me, and the scandal breaks out. I am being reasonable by doubting you. I just need to prove it, so I'll get started now." I tell him and reach for the door, but his hand grabs my wrist, stopping me in my tracks.

"Xeria, everything can change: you can love someone else, I can marry someone else, but one thing will never change: I will never do anything to harm you. Yes, I did hurt you once, but I will not go as low as this." He confesses, his eyes gleaming and his grip tightening.

"Let go, Jake. Maybe you didn't do it, but I need to find out who's trying to mess with me." I look him in the eyes and draw a deep breath.

"Xeria—but before he can say anything further, the door opened.

"Beryl?" We both turn to face Khaos, who was looking at us with an unreadable yet chilling cold expression.