chapter 3

That night, Ryan dropped Isabelle off at her place.

“She just got back from overseas. She doesn’t know anyone here. I need to take care of her.”

I didn’t argue. I just stood in the freezing wind, waiting for a cab.

By the time I got home, my nose was running. I’d probably caught a cold.

Feeling dizzy, I headed to the fridge to grab some water.

I tiptoed out of the bedroom, not wanting to disturb Ryan, who was working in the study.

Not that I had any desire to talk to him. Just thinking about it made my stomach turn.

A faint light spilled from the study, and I heard Ryan talking on the phone inside.

I froze in place and peeked through the crack in the door.

Of course, he was talking to Isabelle again.

“Claire? She’s asleep. Look at the time.

“Don’t worry. I’ll expose everything on the day of the proposal. I’ll make sure she’s completely humiliated.”

There was a pause. Then Ryan said, “You really enjoy watching her fall apart that much?”

Isabelle’s voice came through, playful and cold.

“What, are you feeling bad for her now?”

Ryan flinched. Panic flashed across his face.

“Of course not. You’re overthinking it.

“I’m just trying to figure out what to say that’ll break her the most.”

The water bottle in my hand crumpled from how hard I was gripping it.

Even after everything, even after I told myself I was done with him, hearing that still shattered me.

So that was the real reason he suddenly wanted to propose.

He and Isabelle had planned it all along.

My mind replayed our memories like a broken film reel.

The way he kissed me. The way he held me. The way he proudly introduced me as his girlfriend.

I said, “I’m not good enough for you.”

He said, “You’re the best person in the world. Don’t ever talk like that.”

I said, “I get overwhelmed easily. I’m a mess. I’ll drag you down.”

He said, “I’m not afraid. I’ll help you through it all, step by step.”

He had opened up my locked-up heart, wiped away my fears, and gave me what I thought was love.

He made me believe I wasn’t alone anymore.

Too bad it was all fake.

How could someone lie so well and still sound so sincere?

When Ryan came back into the room, I was already pretending to be asleep.

He gently kissed my cheek.

For a moment, I thought I felt a burning stare on my face, but it vanished just as quickly.

My eyelashes trembled.

Then I heard a soft ding.

The sound of a video recording starting.

My heart dropped again.

Of course.

Another clip for Isabelle.

He turned off the lights and lay down, keeping a full two-person space between us.

No need to pretend anymore, right?

Only after the room went completely dark did I finally dare to clench my fists and grit my teeth.

It was almost over.

The next morning, I still felt like I was floating in a fog.

Ryan walked in, grinning.

“Baby, I made you breakfast.”

He noticed my flushed cheeks and leaned in.

“You’re burning up. Are you running a fever? Let me grab some meds.”

I stopped him.

“I already booked a doctor. I’m going soon.”

A flash of worry crossed his face, and he started to say, “I’ll come…”

But he quickly changed his tune.

“Alright, baby. Be careful on your way then.”

“You’re not coming with me?”

“I’ve got something with Isabelle today.”

I gave him a cold smile.

“And that’s more important than taking me to the doctor?”

His brow twitched, but he smoothed it out right away. He leaned in, trying to sound gentle.

“Come on, you’re a grown woman. You can go to the doctor yourself.

“It’s just... Isabelle’s still adjusting to being back. She doesn’t know her way around.

“It’s just a fever.”

He forgot I had a weak constitution. Whenever I had a fever, it came with full-body hives, aching muscles, and barely enough strength to speak.

But of course he forgot. He never really loved me. Why would he remember anything about me?

Pretending to be the perfect boyfriend in front of me, all for Isabelle’s sake, must’ve been hard on him.

When I didn’t say anything, he finally gave in.

“Alright, alright. I’ll tell you the truth so you don’t overthink. I’m going with Isabelle to check out the place where I’ll propose to you.

“There. No more surprise.”

Ha.

You meant the place where you’d stage my humiliation.

Lying came so naturally to him.

Ryan, did you really think I was that stupid?

I smiled without feeling.

“Alright. Go ahead.”

Perfect. I had a surprise of my own waiting for you too.