Chapter 11 

Chapter 11 

Maybe it was 1 

is because the weight on my shoulders hand finally been lifted, but I felt lighter, like a new burst of energy had taken over me 

Now that Grayson was gone, the doctors who’d been keeping their distance because of his influence started warming up to me again. 

The surgeons restamed teaching me, and I love into learning with enthusiasm. 

Emily, the colleague Grayson had coerced, shinged up a few days later with a pile of gifs, looking 

guilty as e 

Iaccepted everything with a smile and reassured her, You were a victim, too. Don’t let it weigh on you.” 

ege days later, a little boy can into the medical station, tugging at my sleeve. 

“There’s a man outside looking for you,” he whispered. 

Confused, I stepped out and spotted him right may–Grayson. 

He stood there awkwardly, a suncase by his side, hesitant to come in. 

He’d been publicly berated and even roughed up by some of the staff after everything he’d done, and now he seemed afraid to show his face. 

Traised an eyebrow at the sight of his suitcase. 

-still here?” 

Seeing how eager I was to send him on his way, he looked down, defeated. 

In just a week, he seemed like a completely different person 

His hair was a meas, his face unshaven, and his clothes disheveled. 

After a long pause, be mumbled, 

Tm leaving in an hour.” 

Then, as if summoning some courage, he pulled something from the inner pocket of his jacket. 

It was the photo I had torn apart last time–carefully pieced back together. 

I glanced at his fumbling hands and the photo, a faint memory surfacing in my mind. 

With a smirk, I asked, 

a think it’ll make me 

“Funny, last time you pulled something out of that pocket, it was a lace bra. Now you’re holding up this photo–what? Do you th change my mind?” 

Grayson froze, caught off guard by my words. 

“No, no, Vivian, it’s not like that,” he stammered. 

“I’ve thought it through. Even though we’re divorced, even though I’ve made so many mistakes. I’ve realized I deserve this. I’ve changed” 

He hesitated, his eyes searching mine. 

won’t marry anyone else. I promise. But could we at least stay friends?” 

Whether he remarried or not was none of my concern. 

Igrabbed the photo from his hand and tossed it straight into the trash. 

“You’re like this photo–broken. Even if you piece it back together, it’s still destined for the garbage.” 

“And sajends? That’s unnecessary. Because I never forgot our promise: We’ll never see achother again.” 

17:05 

Love, a Hollow Prote 

Chapter 11 

Hearing this, Grayson looked utterly lifeless, 

I clapped the dust off my hands and turned to leave 

Thats when it happened. 

Out of nowhere, a woman with 

mile charged at me, screaming kysterically. 

It was Lillian 

Her once pristine makeup and glamorous style were gone, she looked wild and disheveled, her face twisted with rage 

“This is all your fault?” she shrieked. 

it weren’t for you, Grayson wouldn’t have drugged me and killed my baby!” 

Her voice cracked with fury as she pointed the knife at me, yelling accusations. 

“You’re nothing but a seductress! Pretending to be blind just to gain sympathy 

I muttered under my breath, “What a lunatic.” 

Her baby had been taken from her by Grayson, yet her first instinct was to come after me instead of him 

As the knife came dangerously close, Grayson panicked, trying to rush over to stop her but too slow to react. 

I stayed calm 

With a quick move, I twisted her wrist, sending the knife flying out of her hand. 

Before she could react, I kicked her to the ground, watching her collapse in a heap.