Chapter 2

During the Uber ride to the venue, I remained silent.

Ethan sat beside me, his hand gently brushing against mine.

"Hazel," he whispered. "What are you afraid of?"

I looked at him, wanting so desperately to tell him everything from my past life.

But I was terrified he would think I was losing my mind.

I could only squeeze his hand tightly and whisper back:

"Stay away from Chloe tonight."

Ethan's eyes darkened slightly.

"Don't eat or drink anything she hands you," I continued.

"Even if she claims I was the one who sent it, do not trust it."

Ethan didn't laugh at me, nor did he ask if I was crazy.

He just nodded seriously.

"Okay. I promise you."

The banquet was held on the third floor of a luxury hotel.

The moment we walked in, people started jeering.

"Oh, look who finally decided to show up."

"I thought Ethan wasn't allowed to leave the house tonight."

"Hazel, aren't you keeping him on a bit too tight of a leash?"

In my past life, I would have laughed awkwardly to keep the peace.

Now, I looked straight at the guy who spoke.

"My boyfriend isn't complaining. Who are you to talk?"

His face instantly turned red-faced with embarrassment.

The private room fell dead silent for a few seconds.

Chloe immediately stepped in to play the peacemaker.

"Hey guys, it's just a joke."

"Hazel, we're all friends here tonight. Don't be so sensitive."

She grabbed my arm, her long nails digging maliciously into my flesh.

I slapped her hand off.

"Don't touch me."

Chloe stumbled back, tears instantly streaming down her face.

"Hazel, why did you push me?"

The girl next to her immediately held her up.

"Hazel, what is wrong with you?"

"Chloe was just trying to be nice, and you pushed her?"

I looked at the red nail marks on my wrist and laughed.

"She pinched me. Are you all blind?"

The girl rolled her eyes.

"She didn't pinch you! We only saw you shove Chloe!"

"Always throwing tantrums. Do you really think you're some kind of princess?"

Ethan stepped in, pulling me behind him.

"Say one more word about my girlfriend, and see what happens."

His voice was so cold that the room went dead silent.

Seeing the atmosphere freeze, Chloe wiped her tears and poured a glass of fruit mocktail.

"Never mind, guys. It's a party. Let's not fight."

"Ethan, let me offer you a toast."

"You've worked so hard taking care of Hazel these past four years."

She handed one of the glasses to Ethan, smiling innocently.

"It's just a light drink. One sip won't hurt."

Ethan didn't even look at it.

"I don't want it."

Chloe's face stiffened.

"Ethan, everyone is drinking."

"It's pretty disrespectful to refuse like this, don't you think?"

Before Ethan could answer, I spoke up.

"Didn't you hear him?"

"He said no."

Chloe turned to me, putting on a look of sudden realization.

"Oh, is Hazel not letting you drink?"

"As Hazel's roommate, I know how she is. She just has massive control issues."

"Ethan, you must have suffered so much being with her, right?"

A guy nearby laughed.

"Seriously, Ethan? You're that whipped?"

"You need your girlfriend's permission to have a drink?"

Another girl chimed in.

"Chloe is just offering a toast. Hazel, is it really necessary to control him this much?"

I ignored them, reaching out to push the glass back toward Chloe.

"He said he's not drinking."

Chloe's eyes grew red again.

"Hazel, I don't know what I did to make you hate me, but if you're unhappy, I'll apologize, okay?"

"Please don't be mad. I really didn't mean any harm."

Her fragile act instantly triggered the protective instincts of the guys at the table.

"Hazel, that's enough."

"Chloe was nice enough to remind you about the dinner, and you've been picking on her all night."

"It's just one drink. Chloe isn't going to poison your boyfriend. Why do you have to humiliate her like this?"

One guy walked over, trying to force the glass into Ethan's hand.

Ethan stepped back.

The guy wouldn't let it go, trying to drape his arm over Ethan's shoulder.

"Come on, Ethan, be a man. Don't let your girlfriend walk all over you."

I shoved his hand away.

"Get your hands off him."

The guy stumbled back, hitting the edge of the table. His face twisted in anger.

"Hazel, you are really pushing it."

Ethan stood up, his face terrifyingly dark.

"Say another word about my girlfriend, and I'll make sure you regret it."

The guy shut his mouth instantly.

Chloe cried and shook her head.

"It's okay, guys. It's all my fault. Please don't fight."

Right then, a girl nearby "accidentally" bumped into me.

A full glass of sticky orange juice poured all over my chest, dripping down my collar.

The girl covered her mouth dramatically.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry!"

I clenched my fists, stood up, and whispered to Ethan:

"I'm going to the restroom to clean this up. Do not drink anything Chloe hands you."

"Stay right here and wait for me."

Ethan hesitated for a second, then nodded.

I went into the restroom and started wiping my clothes with paper towels.

Halfway through, the lights in the restaurant suddenly went out. It seemed like a power outage.

Muffled screams of confusion echoed from the hallway.

When I realized what was happening, the blood in my veins ran cold.