The Security You Never Gave Me

I was quiet for a moment.：“Okay. I'll be back soon.”

After hanging up, I went back to my hospital room, tidied myself up, and put on a full face of makeup.

Then I got dressed, slipped on my shoes, and walked to the suite at the hotel across the street.

When I knocked, I wasn't nervous. I wasn't anything. Just numb.

“Knock, knock, knock.” A few raps, and the door opened.

“Carolyn?”

The woman standing in the doorway was Vivien Tanner.

I'd met her before, at one of their office gatherings. Tall, striking, the kind of woman who owned every room she walked into.

The moment our eyes met, her expression shifted from delight to unmistakable shock.

I smiled, my voice gentle.：“Ms. Tanner, were you expecting a surprise birthday gift that was about to arrive?”

Vivien forced an awkward laugh.：“No, no. You've got the wrong idea, sis.”

"Sis." She said it so easily.

I pulled out my phone and read a few of the auto-replies out loud, right in front of her.

【Babe, stay safe. Waiting for you to come home.】

【Babe, enjoy your business trip. Love, your husband.】

【Babe, I miss you. Can't wait to see you.】

The color drained from Vivien's face. She stood frozen in front of me.

I lowered my phone and looked at the woman who was almost exactly my height.

A quiet laugh left me.：“May I come in?”

Vivien didn't step aside. She braced herself in the doorway and blocked me.

“Today is my birthday. You can't come in. This has nothing to do with you.”

I kept my tone light, almost playful.：“Funny, because I think I can hear my husband's voice in there.”

Vivien snapped.：“You're making things up. He's not here.”

I wasn't leaving without seeing Leopold with my own eyes.

I tried to slip past her. Vivien shoved me hard.

My body had just been through electroshock therapy and couldn't take the force. I slammed into the doorframe, pain tearing through every nerve, and my face twisted before I could stop it.

When I looked up again, Leopold was already standing in front of Vivien, shielding her, glaring at me.

“Carolyn, if you have a problem, take it up with me.”

“Going after her is low. I'll own what I did.”

A moment ago he wouldn't even admit he was here. Now, suddenly, he was brave.

No panic, no shame. He stood there looking every bit the honorable man.

I swallowed the weakness in my body and kept my voice polite.：“Can I come in and sit down for a minute? I won't take up too much of your time.”

Vivien lowered her head, embarrassed.

Leopold said nothing for a beat, then stepped aside to let me in.

The other guests on the balcony were silent. The whole room was dead quiet.

I found a comfortable spot and sat down, polite and completely out of place among them.

“Please, everyone, carry on. Someone's having a birthday, after all.”

“Don't let my being here ruin anything.”

I meant every word. Not a trace of sarcasm.

I'd said it plainly enough. So why did Leopold look so unhappy?

He sat across from me, brow furrowed, his complexion off, his voice cold.

“Carolyn, cut the passive-aggressive act.”

“If you hadn't guilt-tripped me back then, I never would have dated you, let alone married you.”

“You told me that what happened when we first met gave you anxiety, destroyed your sense of security. Do you have any idea how much pressure that put on me?”

I nodded and picked up right where he left off, without hesitation.

“So the woman you've loved this whole time has been your colleague, Vivien Tanner?”

I didn't want them thinking I'd come here just to start a fight.

My eyes were sincere, my voice soft and steady. Not a single crack.

After all, I'd already broken down once, during the electroshock.

No betrayal could ever hurt worse than what my own body had already put me through.

Leopold stood frozen for a long moment. He didn't answer me directly. Vivien flashed a toothy smile.

“Stop joking around. It's my birthday.”

Birthdays meant gifts, and I'd already prepared mine. I opened the delivery app and checked the courier's location.

He was already at the hotel entrance.

“I have a gift you'll both love. It just arrived.”

I stood and opened the suite door. Their “surprise” had come……