Chapter 4

His confidence was… hilarious. I almost choked.

But I had no time for Julian. I scurried over to Ryder, dropping to my knees beside him.

It was only much later, in my previous life, after we broke off the engagement, that I learned Ryder had been admitted to the hospital that very night.

He’d been sitting on the sofa the whole time, not getting up, because his stomach issues had flared up while he was away on a business trip.

But he’d pushed himself to rush back, despite the pain, because he really wanted to see me.

And the first thing I did when I saw him was demand to end our engagement.

I was such an idiot.

Our eyes met, and a flicker of understanding, then mocking amusement, crossed Ryder’s face.

He scoffed, “Trying to make your boyfriend jealous again?”

I couldn't blame Ryder for thinking that.

In my previous life, I *had* pulled stupid stunts, using Ryder to provoke Julian and prove Julian cared about me.

Now, I could only soften my voice and play dumb:

“Boyfriend? What boyfriend? Ryder, I only have you as my fiancé.”

He looked down at me.

“I don’t feel well. Could you come with me to the hospital first?”

Ryder suddenly frowned: “What’s wrong? Are your period cramps acting up again?”

I blurted out without thinking: “…Yeah, period cramps.”

He tilted his head, looking at me. “Today isn’t your usual cycle.”

Julian and I had been giving each other the silent treatment for ages.

I hadn’t expected him to still remember my period cycle.

My heart swelled with a sudden rush of bittersweet emotion.

“Um… well, it just came early, you know?”

I gently tugged on his sleeve, giving it a little shake. “I need a pain shot. Will you come with me, please?”

Ryder didn't say anything, lost in thought for a moment.

Then he calmly agreed:

“Alright.”