Chapter 3

3

The morning after the rain, I woke up with a raging fever.

In my delirium, my first instinct was still to call Jace.

He picked up, but his voice was filled with annoyance.

"Have you realized how wrong you were yet? Just apologize to Mia. You terrified her, and she's been a wreck."

"Once she forgives you, maybe I'll consider coming home."

I couldn't process a word he was saying.

My skin felt like it was on fire.

"I have a fever, Jace... Please, I need to go to the hospital."

Jace clicked his tongue in disgust.

"Cassia, I never thought you'd resort to lying for attention. Why stop at a fever? Why not tell me you're dead?"

My hand went limp, and the phone slipped to the floor.

I heard Mia's voice in the background.

"Jace, maybe you should check on her? I'll be fine on my own."

My consciousness was slipping into a grey fog.

The last thing I heard was Jace's dismissive reply.

"She's just acting. She'll do anything to manipulate me into coming back. I'm staying right here with you."

The rest of the world faded into a blur of heat and shivering chills.

When I finally opened my eyes, I was tucked into my own bed.

Jace was sitting by my side, looking at me with incredible tenderness.

He was holding a book, and when he saw me wake up, he reached out to check my temperature.

"The fever broke," he whispered, looking relieved.

Then he gave me a playful, scolding look.

"Don't walk in the rain anymore. If you get wet, take some medicine immediately. You're the one who suffers, you know?"

Listening to his gentle nagging, I didn't feel annoyed.

I felt a surge of pure, sweet relief.

It felt so good to be cared for, especially by the man I loved.

I realized I hadn't seen him in months―not since he started the new project.

I hadn't dared to disturb him because I knew how much pressure he was under.

I stared at him greedily.

His hair was messy, and the sunlight hit his face, making him look almost angelic.

Jace stirred a bowl of oatmeal, blowing on it gently before bringing a spoonful to my lips.

When he saw the tears streaming down my face, he looked confused.

"What's wrong, honey?"

I wiped my eyes and stayed silent.

This Jace was full of life and love―the Jace from ten years ago.

The real Jace had shaved his head and hardened his heart years ago.

This was just a dream.

I wanted to stay in this beautiful lie forever, but reality is a cruel master.

The image of the young Jace began to fade, and my vision turned to black once more.

When I finally woke for real, the house was silent and cold.

I dragged myself off the floor, found some old aspirin, and swallowed them dry.

Once I regained a bit of strength, I checked my phone.

As expected, there were zero messages from him.

I didn't hesitate this time.

I dialed my lawyer.

"Mark, I need you to draft a divorce settlement. Yes... it's happening."