"Ryan, Laura's ankle is seriously injured. Let me park first," Diana said, trying to stay calm.
Through the lowered window, Ryan's gaze flicked toward me, his eyes narrowing slightly. "You're hurt too?"
I didn't respond. I just turned my face away. It was clear that he hadn't even noticed my injury, not even after I'd taken that brutal fall. Stacey, on the other hand—he was all over her.
"Ryan, let Laura park first," Stacey's soft voice came from the Bentley. "I'm fine, really. It doesn't hurt."
I glanced up and saw the jacket draped over her shoulders.
'Ryan's jacket...'
A knot tightened in my chest, sharp and painful.
I knew that jacket all too well. Ryan was obsessed with cleanliness; he never let anyone touch his clothes, especially me.
Once, I'd caught a cold after a show and borrowed his coat to warm up. He'd thrown it in the trash afterward, saying he didn't like things touched by other people.
But clearly, some people were allowed that privilege.
When Ryan heard Stacey, his expression darkened, and his patience wore thin. "Move aside, now. Immediately."
"Ryan, Laura's really hurt!" Diana snapped, confused by his reaction.
"I said move!" Ryan's voice was sharp, and he turned on Diana with a cold glare. "I'm your boss, remember?"
Then, he gave me a look that made it clear I'd better keep my assistant in line.
I was done.
"Let them go first," I said, closing my eyes, my voice weary. I didn't have the energy to argue anymore.
As the Bentley pulled past us, it scraped against my car with a loud, grating noise. My ankle was struck again, and the pain shot through me so sharply that I almost blacked out.
I tried to steady myself but couldn't help but glance over. And there it was.
As if she hadn't just been in pain herself, Stacey leaned over and kissed Ryan's cheek. "Ryan, you're so good to me."
His voice softened, and my stomach churned as he replied, "For you, it's all worth it."
Right then, an icy coldness spread from my chest, sinking my body.
When Diana helped me to the orthopedic department, I ran into them again. Ryan and Stacey had already seen the doctor and were preparing to leave.
My number was called just as they were about to walk out. Wincing with every step, I hobbled toward the door, but then I heard it—Stacey's soft cry of pain.
"Be gentle..." she whispered.
I turned my head, and my blood ran cold.
There they were. With that same gentle touch he used to reserve for me, Ryan was massaging her ankle.
And there she was, teary-eyed as if she were the one in pain. Ryan's face darkened as he scooped her up, ready to push past me and enter the exam room.
"What's going on here?" the doctor asked, frowning as he approached. "You've already been checked. She should be seen now."
Ryan's temper flared. "How did you examine her? Didn't you see how much pain she's in?"
The doctor looked frustrated. "I told you, she just has a small abrasion. There's no damage to the bones."
Ryan ignored him, not even listening. His gaze flicked toward me, and momentarily, I thought I saw a flicker of hesitation.
"Someone like her," the doctor snapped, pointing at me, "who can't even walk is the one who needs treatment, not her. Understand?"
Ryan stood frozen, eyes shifting uncomfortably, but before he could respond, the doctor gestured toward me. "You can go in now."
Still, in Ryan's arms, Stacey spoke up, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "I'm fine, Ryan. Honestly, it doesn't hurt that much. The doctor just wants to help Laura. Let's not make this harder on them."
She looked up at him with tears streaming down her face, and the sight made my stomach turn.
Ryan’s face went pale with fury. He stepped forward, shoving me roughly aside, looming over the doctor. "You will examine her again carefully. Or I'll have my legal team sue you."
I didn't have time to react before I was shoved off balance, stumbling several steps. My injured ankle twisted again, and the pain was so intense I collapsed onto the floor with a cry.
Ryan turned, hearing me fall, his expression a mix of surprise and confusion. He stepped toward me as if to help, but Stacey tugged at his sleeve, stopping him.
"Slow down, Ryan," she said, her voice dripping with fake concern. "My chest is so tight. I feel a little... uneasy."
