Chapter 2

2.

Because I hadn't eaten the night before, I woke up with a severe hypoglycemic episode.

I was dizzy and desperate for sugar. I saw a plate of freshly made sandwiches on the kitchen island.

Without thinking, I grabbed one and shoved it into my mouth.

My vision was already starting to go dark. Another few seconds and I would have passed out on the floor.

Seraphina’s shriek echoed through the house like an explosion.

“Cade, are you insane? I made that breakfast for Quincy! Who gave you the right to touch it?”

I had already slumped to the floor, my ears ringing.

I struggled to prop myself up against the table, gasping for air.

“Sorry... my blood sugar crashed. I couldn't find anything else to eat.”

“I’ll make you a new one in a minute,” I whispered.

My voice was weak, but I had to force the words out.

“Like I’d want anything you made! Do you think your trash is fit for someone like Quincy?”

“He’s a superstar. You think he eats the same garbage as a stray dog like you?”

Seraphina lunged forward and slapped me across the face. The ringing in my ears turned into a deafening roar.

She was a princess who never lifted a finger in the kitchen. She never cooked for me.

Usually, I was the one cooking, or we ordered takeout from five-star restaurants.

The one time she actually decided to cook, her own husband wasn't even allowed a single bite.

She had poured all that effort into a sandwich just for Quincy.

“So how do you want me to pay you back?” I asked, my voice hollow.

“Can you pay for the love I put into that meal? Can you?”

Seraphina went into a frenzy, sweeping all the dishes off the table.

Porcelain shattered everywhere, covering the floor in jagged white shards.

She didn't even look at me as I sat there in the mess. She just grabbed her bag and stormed out.

I looked down at my hand. A large shard had sliced deep into my palm, and blood was pooling on the floor.

But the sting in my hand was nothing compared to the hole in my chest.

I drove myself to the clinic to get stitched up and then headed to the office.

I arrived just in time to see Seraphina walking in, flanked by Quincy’s security detail.

She was beaming, looking up at Quincy with a sweet, adoring smile.

“Quincy, I went all the way uptown to that bistro you like. I stood in line for an hour to get this for you.”

I noticed paparazzi hiding in the shadows of the parking garage.

They were putting on a hell of a show. Quincy pulled Seraphina into his arms.

“You’re too good to me, babe,” he cooed.

Seraphina tucked her head against his chest, looking bashful.

“It’s nothing. I actually tried to cook for you this morning, but... there was an accident.”

“It doesn't matter. If it comes from you, I’ll love it regardless.”

Quincy was a professional actor. He played the part of the doting fiancé perfectly.

Or maybe he wasn't acting at all.

Maybe he really was enjoying stealing another man's life.

Employees whispered as they passed by.

“Boss and that actor are so goals!”

“I know, right? They’re literally the cutest couple ever.”

I walked past them with a dark expression. They immediately lowered their voices.

“Mr. Lennox looks terrifying today,” one whispered.

“I used to think he and the boss were a thing. Guess I was totally wrong.”

I stopped and looked at them. “You were wrong. Ms. Vance and I have a strictly professional relationship. My face looks like this because of a medical issue.”

I flashed my hospital discharge papers at them. They nodded, looking confused.

Seraphina heard me and glanced over through the crowd.

But as soon as our eyes met, she looked away.

It was clear there wasn't even a tiny corner left for me in her world.