Chapter 2

My thoughts snapped back to the present as Spencer leaned down to kiss Tessa's forehead again.

His eyes swam with unmistakable affection.

"Honestly? I'm glad she was so heartless back then. Otherwise, I never would have found my life's greatest fortune.

"That couture gown you wanted? It's hanging in your closet. Stop trying to save my money."

He released me and laced his fingers through hers.

Finally free from his grip, I felt the room tilt.

I stood there, staring at their intertwined fingers, a tightness forming in my chest. A wave of dizziness made my vision blur, and I felt like I was suffocating.

I had zero interest in witnessing their perfect love story. I turned to leave, stumbled, and pitched forward, hitting the carpet hard.

My purse flew open, scattering pill bottles everywhere.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Tessa's red stiletto quickly disappear beneath the hem of her dress.

"Oh, goodness, Madeleine! Are you alright? Clumsy me, I didn't see you turning and must have tripped you! I am so sorry."

Her tone held zero actual apology.

Spencer started to reach for me, but Tessa's sharp gasp stopped him. He pulled his hand back.

"My God, Madeleine! You're dying? No way! You seem perfectly healthy!"

Spencer snatched up the medical notice that had fallen out, his eyes landing on the words Critically Ill. Fury contorted his features.

"Madeleine, have you no shame? Stooping this low just to get my sympathy!

"After all these years, you haven't changed a bit! Still full of cheap tricks!"

I struggled upright, looking at Spencer's powerful, healthy body with a stab of envy.

I yanked the notice from his grasp, plastering a smile on my face as I slowly gathered the pills, my voice soft and sweet.

"Oops, you caught me. So, Spencer... feeling generous enough to spare some charity for a poor, pathetic woman like me?"

Tessa dabbed at crocodile tears, leaning dramatically into Spencer's chest. But the look she shot down at me was pure spite.

"Darling, Madeleine must be telling the truth.

"Think about it. If she hadn't left you, she wouldn't be facing this karma now. We should help her. She's so terribly pitiful."

Every word was a poisoned dart, reminding Spencer how I'd supposedly ditched him when he had nothing.

The fire in Spencer's eyes turned to ice.

"I don't waste my kindness on just anybody."

He wrapped an arm around Tessa's shoulders and turned away. She made a show of pleading my case until he silenced her with a kiss.

She shot me a final, triumphant glance over his shoulder.

I picked up the last flattened pill box and tucked it into my purse, then pushed myself to my feet, leaning heavily on my throbbing knee.

As their figures vanished into the elevator, I pressed a hand to my violently trembling chest, gulping for air.

Systemic lupus erythematosus... My organs were shutting down, one by one. Infections were spreading. My clock was running out.

And he was perfectly healthy.

This stable, healthy life he had, I'd sacrificed everything for it back then.

And he still had no idea.