Love Says She Once Returned

Chapter 5 When Love Turns to Pain

　　"I have no idea what you're even talking about."

　　Chloe snapped back, full of righteous indignation. Diana, seizing the moment, suddenly clutched her chest and staggered like she was about to faint, her face twisted in pain.

　　"As a doctor, bullying a grieving mother who just lost her son—what happened to your ethics? My mom's got a heart condition! If anything happens to her because of you, can you take responsibility?"

　　Elena gave a cold little smirk. "So, what exactly are you expecting me to do?"

　　"You shoved my mom and drenched her in water. I'm not asking for much—crawl out of here like a dog while saying 'I was wrong' ten times. Or just stand there and let my mom slap you three times in front of everyone. Your pick."

　　Her words dripped with hostility.

　　Elena looked at her with growing amusement. So this was Brandon's fiancée? What a joke. Just a loudmouth with no class.

　　"I get that you're grieving. But that doesn't give you a free pass to treat me like a punching bag." Her tone was indifferent, icy even, not the slightest hint of backing down.

　　"You—" Rage twisted Chloe's features, like she was ready to unload.

　　Then, something caught her attention from the corner of her eye. In a blink, the fury on her face melted into a pitiful expression. She clutched her left shoulder and let out a few hacking coughs.

　　"Dr. Cooper, I'm really sorry. My mom just lost her son… she's not in her right mind. Please don't take it the wrong way…"

　　She reached for a tissue and started patting her mother down, though Diana kept groaning dramatically.

　　Elena couldn't help but feel something was off. Chloe's sudden attitude shift didn't add up. Then, from behind her, a familiar voice broke in.

　　"What's going on here?"

　　"I—" Elena turned to respond but stopped short.

　　Brandon had already rushed to Chloe's side, gently helping her up from the ground.

　　"Chloe, are you in pain again?"

　　His hand moved over her shoulder with a tenderness that made Elena feel sick. That shoulder had once taken a bullet for him.

　　"I'm okay." Chloe smiled sweetly, eyes soft as she looked up at Brandon.

　　Elena's explanation died on her tongue. The words turned into invisible shards in her throat, hurting more the longer they stayed there. She turned her gaze away, unwilling to look at the scene in front of her.

　　Maybe it'd hurt just a little less that way.Sophie, who had been silent this whole time, finally spoke up. “Miss Harris, if you hadn't kept accusing Elena over and over again, she wouldn't have fought back.”

　　Elena shot her a grateful look. For so long, no one had ever defended her like this. That one moment of support lit a small warmth in her otherwise numb heart.

　　The crowd that had gathered because of Brandon slowly started to disperse, and Sophie's voice faded away as the door closed, shutting them off from the outside world.

　　Inside, only four people remained.

　　“Elena, got some guts now, huh?” Brandon glanced at the tearful girl in his arms and frowned. “Whatever she did to you earlier, give it back. All of it.”

　　Chloe put on a fake reluctant look. “I... I'm not sure if that's a good idea...” Though clearly, she was thrilled inside.

　　“No one messes with someone who's mine,” Brandon said flatly, tone leaving no space for discussion.

　　Those few words hit Elena like a truck.

　　Ha, guess I really am nothing to him now.

　　She should've known from the moment she found out he had a fiancée. So why did it still hurt like hell? What was she still holding onto?

　　Chloe slowly stood up and walked over to her. “Sorry, but you hurt the person I care about most. I can't just let that go.” As she raised her hand to slap her, Elena reached out and grabbed it mid-air.

　　“You—ah! That hurts! Let go of me!” Chloe's eyes started watering in panic.

　　Elena stared straight at Brandon, fury burning in her eyes, gripping tighter.

　　Crack.

　　Chloe's shoulder dislocated with a sickening sound, followed by her high-pitched scream.

　　Yeah, Chloe was a doctor, but even the best doctor couldn't save herself from someone willing to break her.

　　Brandon lunged forward, pinning Elena's arm. His eyes were full of rage, like he could tear her apart with just that glare.

　　Elena looked at him, her heart squeezing painfully. It had been a long time since she'd cried, but right now, her eyes ached, brimming with tears she couldn't let fall.

　　Without a word, Brandon dragged her face toward Chloe.

　　Chloe, using her good hand, slapped Elena—hard.

　　The sting exploded across Elena's cheek, so fierce it buzzed in her ears.

　　She thought she heard something shatter.

　　Was it... her heart?

　　There's nothing worse than heartbreak from someone you once loved with everything.