Chapter 2

2.

The motel sheets smelled of cheap disinfectant.

I lay there, staring at the smoke detector on the ceiling.

Waves of dizziness from the fever washed over me, my limbs heavy as lead.

I threw up twice during the night. My stomach was empty and clenched in pain.

I forced myself up and swallowed two Tylenol and a painkiller.

With Liam blocked, the world was finally quiet.

The next morning, I was jolted awake by a call from my boss, Kate.

"Eva, the client for the medical device project wants an in-person meeting this afternoon. Get ready."

I clutched my cramping stomach, my voice a raw whisper.

"Kate, I have a high fever. I need to take a sick day."

Kate was silent for a moment, then her tone turned sour.

"A sick day? Liam just told me you were ignoring my calls because you're having a fight with him. He said you're perfectly fine."

"He also said you're just being a 'drama queen' again and that I shouldn't indulge you."

My hand holding the phone started to shake.

So that’s what he thought. My misery, my sickness―it was all just an act to get his attention.

"I understand. I'll be there on time."

I hung up and dragged myself to the bathroom.

The woman in the mirror was pale and lifeless.

I put on heavy makeup, choosing a bright red lipstick to hide how sick I was.

Before leaving, I took two more painkillers to fight off the crushing weakness.

At two p.m., I walked into the client's conference room.

Liam was already there, handing Chloe a bottle of Evian water.

Chloe was dressed in a classy Burberry suit, attending as the client's legal counsel.

When he saw me, Liam frowned, his voice dripping with arrogant victory.

"So you finally decided to show up? Eva, there's a limit to these tantrums. Was blocking me really necessary?"

I ignored him, walked straight to the head of the table, and opened my folder.

The fever was making my vision swim with double images.

I bit my tongue, hard, using the sharp pain to stay focused.

Chloe spoke up, her voice sweet and gentle.

"Eva, Liam told me you were upset last night. Was it because of my computer? Did I get in your way?"

I looked up, my eyes cold as I scanned her face.

"Ms. Vance, this is a business negotiation. If your professional skills only extend to gossip, you can wait outside."

The smile on Chloe's face froze.

Liam’s expression soured. "Eva, don't be an bitch. Chloe was just trying to be nice."

I let out a cold laugh, pushed myself to my feet, and started my presentation.

Every word I spoke felt like fire in my lungs. Cold sweat soaked through my blouse.

I was running on fumes, relying on muscle memory to deliver the hard data I knew by heart.

My logic had to be flawless, my voice steady, even though the hand holding the laser pointer wouldn't stop trembling.

When the meeting ended, the client's director looked impressed. Liam, however, looked at me with suspicion.

He must have noticed something was wrong.

I closed my laptop, my body so weak I thought I would collapse.

"Eva, your hand is burning up."

Liam reached for me, but I dodged his touch.

"Mr. Carter, don't waste your concern on a 'drama queen.' I wouldn’t want you to catch it."

Chloe chimed in. "Liam was just worried. He even made a reservation at your favorite sushi place to make it up to you…"

A bitter smile touched my lips as I looked at Liam's guilt-ridden face.

"Liam, I became allergic to seafood a year ago. I can't eat at that restaurant anymore."

"I guess you save all your attention to detail for other people."

Liam's mouth opened, but no words came out. His face turned from pale to red.

I didn't wait for his reply. I straightened my back and walked out of the conference room.