My fiance's first love kills dolphins, and I fight vicious men and women Chapter 2

The harsh smell of disinfectant made me frown. When I opened my eyes, the only sound in the room was the steady beeping of the monitor.

I touched the bruise on my neck, and the door opened, revealing Declan's tall figure silhouetted by the light behind him.

His face showed no emotion, and his deep-set eyes held a cold detachment.

"You're awake?" He walked steadily to the bed, his voice low.

I frowned at him, my throat burning painfully.

He helped me sit up. "It's fortunate the sharks had just been fed and you weren't injured or bleeding, or the consequences would have been unimaginable."

I took the water he handed me and drained the glass.

"Graham Corporation's marine park is a major project. Why oppose Lydia?" His long fingers tapped the bed rail, each tap echoing like a judgement in my heart.

I argued, "Are you here to lecture me? You know the bond I've had with the dolphins over the years—they're my grandfather's legacy—"

"Grandfather has passed away," he interrupted, shaking his head. "Nora, when will you grow up? Not all persistence is worthwhile."

I looked at the cold man before me, memories of our meeting, romance, and his proposal flashing before my eyes. At our engagement party, my grandfather had clasped his hand, moved, entrusting him to protect me for life.

But now it felt like I was meeting him for the first time.

"Declan, you're here," Lydia entered in high heels, the scent of Chanel quickly filling the room.

She linked arms with Declan affectionately, glanced at me, and smiled elegantly. "I was going to bring Dr. Lewis some supplements, but you beat me to it."

I stared at her. "Miss Graham, you probably came to confirm whether the sharks had finished me off, right?"

She chuckled lightly, "Dr. Lewis, you're joking. Yesterday, I think you just accidentally slipped, right? After all... the institute's surveillance didn't capture anything."

"Lydia," Declan called her softly, ostensibly to stop her, but I detected a hint of indulgence in his voice.

"Declan, I'm just worried about her." She playfully swayed his arm, then turned to me. "I've already negotiated with the board about the dolphins. You know, my father dotes on me; I get whatever I want."

I clenched the sheet, my knuckles turning white.

As Lydia said this, Declan not only failed to stop her but gently tidied her hair that had become tousled from leaning on his arm.

I recalled how yesterday afternoon, when I accidentally spilled coffee, he had stepped back with a frown, looking cold and distant.

"My father wants to see you; it's been years since he last did," Lydia said naturally, as if she were the one engaged to Declan.

Before they left, Lydia added, "Dr. Lewis, some things are just not meant for you. Rest well."

She left in high heels, and Declan opened the door for her, his hand naturally protecting her back, afraid she might bump into something.

Once, such gestures used to be for me.

"Nora," he glanced back at me, eyes flickering, "stop being so stubborn."

Stubborn? I smiled bitterly.

So in his eyes, my guarding of my grandfather's legacy was mere stubbornness.

A year ago, when he proposed, he said he loved my resilience and effort the most. What did that mean now?

Why did he change after Lydia returned?

After they left, I wiped away my tears and took out a mask and hat from my bag.