Chapter 3

3

I sat in the hospital corridor until 5:00 AM, waiting for the rain to stop.

When I finally got back to the villa, I had to pass by the study.

Jace's lazy voice drifted through the door.

"What's the big deal? Why did you wake me up so early?"

His father's voice was a low hiss. "How could you spend the night in Roxy's room?"

"What if Seraphina saw you?"

"She won't care," Jace sighed. "I told her Roxy is just my sister. We didn't do anything."

His mother chimed in, sounding annoyed.

"The wedding is in a few days. Can't you just hold back until it's over?"

"We've let that girl live here for free all these years just so you could take her shares after the wedding."

"Don't mess this up at the finish line."

Jace laughed. "Mom, don't be like that. I'm not just marrying her for the money."

His father's tone turned cold. "Do you really plan on spending your life with her?"

"Why do you think we adopted Roxy right after we took Seraphina in eight years ago?"

"Seraphina is an outsider. Roxy is the woman we chose for you."

"Once you have the legal right to her shares, divorce her and marry Roxy immediately."

"That way, everything stays in the Penton family. No outsiders."

My heart didn't just break; it turned to dust.

This was my father's "loyal brother." The man he trusted with his life and his daughter.

They weren't family. They were cold-blooded predators.

I trembled with rage as I packed my few belongings and slipped out of the house.

At 10:00 AM, I met a man in an underground parking garage.

I sat in his luxury sedan, and a deep, commanding voice spoke beside me.

"Have you made up your mind?"

I nodded firmly. "Yes. All my shares go to you. As fast as possible."

I used a broker to rent a high-end apartment immediately.

As I was hauling my luggage in, I ran into a familiar face.

It was the cold doctor. He looked like he had just finished a long shift.

"What are you doing here?" He arched an eyebrow.

I gave a sheepish laugh. "If I said I moved here to make it easier for you to change my bandages, would you believe me?"

He actually smiled. It was the first time I realized how handsome he was.

He reached out a hand. "I'd believe it. Let's start over, neighbor. I'm Caleb Vance."

I shook his hand. "Seraphina Lin."

Late that night, Jace called me, sounding furious.

"Why aren't you home yet?"

A wave of grief hit me. My room was empty, but none of them had even noticed.

"I'm out drinking with clients," I lied. "It's too late to drive back, so I'm at the office dorm."

"Fine," he snapped. "Tomorrow at ten, meet me at the boutique for the tuxedo fitting. Don't be late."

Before I could answer, I heard Roxy's playful voice in the background.

"Jace, I bought some new little toys. Want to try them out?"

Images of their filth flashed in my mind, making me feel physically sick.

I hung up and ran to the bathroom, vomiting until I collapsed on the cold tile.

Why was everyone else's childhood sweetheart a beautiful memory, while mine was a dagger in my heart?