Chapter 1

The day before we were supposed to sign our marriage license, I hid in my fiancé's office lounge.

I was holding a pair of custom rings I'd designed myself, wanting to give him a surprise.

Instead, I heard his first love, Maddie, ask a question that chilled me to the bone.

"Bennett, will Cassie really agree to give me blood transfusions every week?"

My fiancé's voice was cold and ruthless.

"She'll agree whether she wants to or not. If her blood type didn't match yours, I would never have agreed to marry her!"

"Maddie, you ended up like this because of me. Even if I have to drain her dry, I won't hesitate!"

Behind the door, I felt my heart turn to ice.

So, the only reason he was marrying me was to use me as a living blood bank for his darling Maddie.

But I was the one who actually saved him from that fire years ago.

......

"Bennett, I feel so guilty. I know Cassie is innocent, and I hate doing this to her."

Maddie leaned her head on Bennett's shoulder, her voice thick with fake tears.

Bennett immediately pulled her into a protective embrace, his heart clearly aching for her.

"Maddie, your health is fragile. Don't waste your energy worrying about someone so insignificant."

"I've already compensated her enough. Why else do you think I'm making her Mrs. Brooks?"

Insignificant?

At that moment, it felt like I was falling into a bottomless abyss that swallowed my heart whole.

The rings slipped from my numb fingers, landing silently on the plush carpet.

The initials I had painstakingly engraved on them seemed to be mocking my absolute stupidity.

Outside the lounge, Bennett pressed a tender kiss to Maddie's forehead.

"Maddie, I've booked a table at that new French place. Let's go grab dinner."

Maddie pouted her lips playfully, acting spoiled.

"Bennett, why won't you let me eat at the company cafeteria? Are you afraid your employees will gossip to Cassie?"

Bennett's eyes flickered for a second before he tapped her nose playfully.

"Silly girl, what are you thinking?"

"The cafeteria food is too greasy. You need proper nutrition to get better."

A smile finally broke across Maddie's face.

"I knew you were the best to me, Bennett!"

He led her out of the office, holding her as if she were a piece of priceless porcelain.

I waited until I was sure they wouldn't come back before I stepped out of the lounge, my body stiff with shock.

Our framed engagement photo still sat on his desk, looking like a cruel joke.

I threw the photo straight into the trash before walking out of the building.

Once I was safe inside my car, the tears finally started to fall in heavy, uncontrollable waves.

I pulled out my phone and dialed a number I hadn't called in a long time.

"Leo... I want to come home."

After a brief conversation, I hung up and sent Bennett a final text.

【Bennett, we're over. I'm breaking up with you.】

I turned off my phone immediately and drove home to start packing my life into suitcases.

An hour later, Bennett came charging through the front door, looking frantic.

He saw me folding my clothes and rushed over to grab my arms, his face a mix of panic and anger.

"Cassie, we'm getting married tomorrow! Why the hell are you talking about a breakup?"

"Did someone say something to you? Don't listen to those jealous losers. You know how much I provide for you!"

I wrenched my arms out of his grip, my voice eerily calm.

"No one said anything. I've just realized I hate this city and I don't love you anymore. I'm going home."

Bennett looked stunned for a moment, clearly not believing a word I said.

"Cassie, stop saying things just to hurt me. I know how obsessed you are with me, and I love you too."

"If you're homesick, I'll take you back for a visit right after we sign the papers tomorrow!"

For a second, the warmth in his eyes almost fooled me again.

Since we started dating, he had treated me like a princess, or so I thought.

Until today, I never doubted his heart, and I never imagined I'd be the one to leave.

But the words I heard in that lounge were like a physical slap to the face, waking me up.

This man's devotion was nothing but a well-crafted mask.

He was just fattening me up so he could feed my blood to his real love.

How much did he have to love her to sacrifice his own marriage for her survival?

The thought made my voice even colder.

"No thanks. I'm going back alone."

"Cassie, I've had a long day at work. Stop acting like a spoiled brat, okay?"

Bennett sighed and sat on the sofa, where he spotted the ring box I'd left on the coffee table.

His scowl instantly vanished, replaced by a look of genuine excitement.

"Cassie, are these the rings you designed for us? They're beautiful. I love them."

"I know I've been busy lately, but I promise we'll go on a luxury cruise after the wedding."

"By the way, could you come to the hospital with me this weekend? Maddie really misses you."

Misses me?

I felt a cynical smirk tugging at the corner of my mouth.

Bennett didn't notice; he just picked up the men's ring and slid it onto his finger.

Then, he reached for the women's ring, trying to take my hand.

Before I could pull away, his phone let out a specific, high-pitched ringtone.

It was the special alert he had set only for Maddie.

He dropped my hand and the ring onto the table as if I didn't exist, his face tightening with worry.

After a quick, hushed conversation, he stood up and headed for the door.

"Something came up. I'll be back soon," he tossed over his shoulder without looking back.

The ring he claimed to love sat forgotten on the table.