Chapter 3

Amelia's POV

I walked toward the break room and heard Hailey's muffled giggles coming through the gap in the door.

"Julian, Amelia slapped you in public. Are you really not mad?"

Julian's voice was arrogant and cold. "She's just throwing a fit. She's been clinging to me like a desperate dog for years. She can't live without me. I bet you within three days, she'll come crawling back, begging for my forgiveness."

Standing outside, my blood turned to ice.

The amnesia was indeed a lie. The manipulation and contempt were real. He viewed me as a toy he could discard and retrieve whenever he pleased.

"See? He's a parasite!" Grandma was shaking with rage. "If a dog bites you, don't try to talk to it. Let's go!"

I turned to leave, but a sudden commotion happened at the end of the hallway.

A waiter slipped, and a tray of boiling hot coffee and shattered ceramic cups came flying right toward me.

The break room door flew open. Julian saw the hot liquid flying toward my face.

He instinctively took a step toward me, but Hailey shrieked and grabbed his arm. "Julian, I'm scared!"

That split second of hesitation was all it took. Julian turned and hugged Hailey instead.

I closed my eyes, bracing for the pain.

But right before the boiling coffee could scald my face, a pair of strong arms pulled me hard into a broad chest.

A man used his expensive designer jacket to shield me, blocking every drop of hot coffee and flying shard.

A clean, cedarwood scent wrapped around me, and a deep voice grumbled over my head.

"Amelia, are you stupid? Why didn't you dodge?!"

I looked up in shock.

Greyson Vance was frowning, his dark eyes filled with suppressed anger. He stood before me like a wall, keeping me safe from the danger.

Grandma let out a huge sigh of relief in my head. "That's him! That's the same protective back from your past life! He might have a smart mouth, but he actually shows up when it matters!"

Julian's face turned green when he saw who it was. He marched over and ordered, "Amelia, get over here!"

I didn't move.

Greyson sneered, keeping his hand firmly on my shoulder. He glared at Julian like a wolf guarding his territory. "Her arm is literally bleeding, and you want her to go over to you so she can be your shield again?"

Julian's face flushed with anger. "This is between her and me!"

"Not anymore."

Greyson smirked. "Amelia's grandfather called me to pick up my fiancée. She chose me. Mr. Carter, don't tell me you don't know you've been dumped yet?"

The word "fiancée" hit Julian like a sledgehammer.

Hailey stopped crying out of sheer shock.

Julian stared at me as if I were a stranger. "Are you crazy? You're marrying this jerk just to get back at me?"

This time, my heart didn't ache. I only felt an incredible rush of freedom.

"Julian, don't flatter yourself. Greyson is ten thousand times better than you."

Greyson raised an eyebrow, looking down at me. "Can you walk, fiancée?"

I nodded.

He didn't overstep by carrying me, but he offered his arm. "Let's go get you patched up."

At the hospital.

The doctor cut open my bloody sleeve. As the disinfectant hit the wound, I turned pale and bit my lip, refusing to make a sound.

Greyson leaned against the doorframe, watching me coldly. "In the past, you'd cry for hours if Julian so much as sighed. Now your arm is practically ripped open, and you're acting tough?"

I glared at him. "No one will think you're mute if you keep your mouth shut."

Greyson chuckled. "What? You were pretty quick to use me as a shield earlier."

I stayed quiet for a moment, then whispered, "Greyson, I didn't choose you because I like you."

"Obviously. If you suddenly liked me, I'd have the doctor check your head too." Greyson stopped smiling and looked at me with intense seriousness. "Amelia, you can use me to escape. But remember this: once you're engaged to me, Julian has no right to touch you. Don't you dare run back to him the moment you feel a little lonely."

"I would rather die than go back to him," I said firmly.

Greyson stared at me for three seconds, a faint smile touching his lips. "Good."

When we walked out of the clinic, Julian and Hailey were waiting by the exit.

Seeing us walk out side-by-side, Julian's face was incredibly dark. "Amelia, I'm taking you home. Stop making a scene in public."

He really believed I was just playing hard to get.

Greyson casually switched the medicine bag to his left hand, and naturally wrapped his right arm around my waist, pulling me close.

"No need to worry, Mr. Carter. The only one looking pathetic here is the one who got thrown out."

Julian's eyes turned red as he stared at Greyson's hand on my waist. "Take your hands off her!"

Greyson didn't back down. He leaned in close to my ear, speaking loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Fiancée, there's a dog blocking our path. Shall we go?"

I leaned into his chest and nodded. "Yes, let's go."

At the curb, Greyson opened the car door for me, naturally placing his hand over the frame to protect my head.

As he got into the driver's seat, I asked softly, "Why did you show up so fast?"

Greyson started the engine. "Your grandfather called and said two stray dogs were barking at you."

"So you just came?"

"Why wouldn't I?" Greyson stepped on the gas, the sports car roaring as we left Julian in the dust. "Did you want me to leave you there to watch their cheap drama?"

I couldn't help but laugh out loud.

In my mind, Grandma clicked her tongue in satisfaction.

"See? That's a real man! Let the trash have the trash. Your good life is just starting!"