Chapter 2

2

When I woke up, I was in a private hospital room.

The room was empty. There were no messages from Silas on my phone.

Our last text was from before the wedding. He had said, "Sienna, you're going to be the most beautiful bride."

I let out a bitter laugh. My eyes stung.

I didn't become a beautiful bride. I became a national joke.

A man walked in carrying a basket of fruit. It was Liam Sterling.

I recognized him. He was the one who pulled me out of the darkness.

"You're awake. Do you feel any pain?"

His concern felt like a warm blanket. It was a feeling I hadn't had in years.

I tried to speak, but my throat was raw and dry.

He gently helped me sit up and held a straw to my lips.

"Thank you for saving me," I rasped.

"If you really want to thank me, do me a favor."

"What is it?" I asked, confused.

"My family is breathing down my neck to get married. Could you be my girlfriend and help me deal with them?"

Liam looked serious. He wasn't joking.

I stared at him, speechless.

"I've already covered your medical bills. Just rest. Don't worry about the money."

"Here's my card. Call me when you've made up your mind."

He placed the card on the nightstand and left.

I looked at the name on the card and sank into thought.

Why did Sadie only have three months to live?

Just a week ago, I saw her medical report at home. Everything was perfectly normal.

Was it a misdiagnosis, or was she playing us all?

I opened my contacts and found a friend who worked at the city hospital. I asked him to dig into her records.

After two days of recovery, I was discharged.

I went back to the house I was supposed to share with Silas. When I opened the door, a wedding portrait of Silas and Sadie hit me in the face.

I froze. That spot was reserved for us.

How did she replace me in just forty-eight hours?

It was as if everything had been pre-planned.

I walked toward the study, but stopped when I heard voices inside.

"Silas, I don't like the maids taking care of me. When we go to Europe for our honeymoon, let's bring Sienna," Sadie purred.

She was wrapped around his waist, acting like a spoiled child.

"She knows how to take care of us better than any maid. She can be our personal assistant."

"That's a great idea," Silas replied. "Honestly, Sienna has been serving me for years. She's better than a professional. I'll tell her when she gets back."

His words were a stake through my heart.

Ever since Silas's company took off, he told me to quit my job and take care of the house.

I made him hot meals every day. I made sure his suits were perfectly pressed. I kept his life organized so he never had to worry.

And in his eyes, I was just a "useful maid."

It was pathetic.

I turned around and started packing. I couldn't breathe in this house for one more second.

The noise of my suitcase alerted them. Silas and Sadie appeared at the door, holding hands.

I didn't even look at them. I just dragged my bag toward the exit.

Silas frowned. He looked slightly bothered for the first time.

"Sienna? Where do you think you're going?"

I didn't answer. I kept walking.

"I said stop!"