tered into a million painful pieces right there in the Peninsula lobby. My chest felt hollow, like someone had scooped out my heart and left an empty, aching cav

d frozen, watching Drake and Julia. He instinctively pulled her close, shielding her with his body, his gaze fixed on her, oblivious to th

illar, my head hitting the cold stone. My vision blurred. "Drake!" I whispered, my voice lost in the cacophony. I stretched out a hand, a desperate plea, but he was already moving, guiding Julia towards a discreet

l, mocking lie. My head throbbed, a dull ache spreading through my skull. The pain in my arm flared, but it

d faded, replaced by a roaring in my ears. The pain, both physical and emoti

ital bed, the sterile white sheets a stark contrast to the luxurious silk of my o

ou're

e, soulful eyes were fixed on me. "Thank goodness," she breathed, her voice soft, almost angelic. "I was so worried. After I found you unconsci

e had abandoned me for her. Her words felt like poison. I sa

my condition. But I told him, 'Drake, Chelsie needs you! She's your wife!' But he... he just couldn't leave me." Her eye

fully placed dagger, twisting in the wound. "My condition," sh

diagnosis, we were inseparable. He was going to propose. We had everything planned. Our future. Our home. Even the names of our children." She wa

Was I just a replay? A stand-in for his lost future with her? The thought was a venomous snake, coiling around my h

algic," I said, my voice surprisingly steady. "It sounds truly... epic. A tragedy, really, th

he's a very loyal man. And so protective. He never truly moved on from me, you know. He just... found a distraction." Her gaze

n you and me? I don't need a terminal illness to keep a man. And I certainly don't need to lie in a hospital bed, begging for atten

hissed, her angelic facade crumbling.

t over the top, even for a classical artist." I leaned closer, my voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "You think you're so clever, don't you? Playing the victim, tr

. "He chose me

nd right now, I'm his wife. A fact you seem desperate to change." My smile widened,

er, you shouldn't be agitated," she chided gently. "You've had quite a bump

" She turned to leave, then paused at the door. "Oh, and by the way, I just texted Drake. Told him I was feeling faint and needed him. He'll be here any minute. Let's see who he

I wouldn't break. Not again. I closed my eyes, trying to conjure Drake's fac

y heart leaped, then plunged. It was Drake. My breath

d, I saw concern, maybe even relief. My hope flickered. Then he turned, his voice rough with

head, my arm, the fall. He had just walked straight past my door, on his way to

o stare out the window at the bustling Hong Kong skyline. The nurse, o

cal injury, washed over me. I heard a hushed conversation from outside my door, a couple of nurses gossiping. "Did you see that? Mr. Kn

ars, hot and silent, streamed down my face, mingling with the fresh blood seeping from the bandage on my arm

The doctor protested, but I was firm. My mind was made up. I would not stay another second in this place, i

fully constructed composure. "He chose her, Lexi. He really chose her

h the phone. "Seriously, Chelsie, get out of there. Ge

rs streaming down my face. "He owns

nly thing that matters. Come home. We'll figure it out together. But

as Chelsie Miller. The runaway bride. The one who drove a convertible into

che in my heart remained, a constant, dull throb. Drake never came back to my room. Not once. Julia, on the other hand, made

le. Our prenuptial agreement, meticulously crafted by my father, made it nearly impossible for me to leave without l

r didn't stay tra

e most exclusive parties, losing myself in a whirlwind of flashing lights, throbbing music, and cheap thrills. I danced until my feet ached, drank

vacant faces. I ordered another martini, my fifth. A handsome young man, a professional dancer I'd

sing beat. He was young, vibrant, and utterly undemanding. He was everything Drake wasn't. For a fleeting moment, I al

w? I was free. Or at least, I was trying to be. I nodded, a defiant smile on my lips. "Lead the