Chapter 2

I left my room and found Adrian in the private hospital suite next door.

The man who had always been cold and distant with everyone else was perched on the edge of Fiona's bed, feeding her oatmeal one spoonful at a time.

"Slow down. Don't choke."

He spoke slowly and gently, as if even the slightest rise in his voice might frighten her.

So he had been next door taking care of Fiona the entire time, yet he couldn't spare a few minutes to check on me.

"Adrian stays with Fiona until late every night. He's even neglecting his work. How could anyone not be jealous?"

Lily, who never missed a chance to criticize me, sat in the room praising Fiona endlessly.

Sophie, who had always claimed Adrian lost all judgment when love was involved, had completely changed her tune.

"What do you know? If he hadn't been trying to divert his rivals' attention and keep them from targeting Fiona, do you think Adrian would ever have divorced her?"

"He entered short, nominal marriages with us one after another, then divorced us to see how his rivals would react. He even pretended to be heartbroken and depressed so he could lure Claire back and use her as bait."

Lily laughed.

"Adrian really is brilliant. He put Claire in danger, used her to draw out his rival, and got the person who tampered with the chandelier sent to prison."

"It's hilarious. That idiot still thinks the chandelier was an accident. She stayed up all night investigating everyone who attended the wedding."

My cane slipped from my hand and clattered to the floor.

I stood frozen, staring blankly into the room as if I hadn't heard a word.

Adrian noticed me first.

He offered no explanation and showed no sign of alarm.

He simply stepped in front of Fiona, shielding her with his body.

"If you're looking for someone to blame, blame me."

Lily immediately called over the security staff.

"Weren't you told to watch her around the clock? She isn't supposed to wander around, and she certainly isn't allowed to interrupt Adrian and Fiona when they're alone. What exactly were you doing?"

Sophie stepped in front of me, eyeing me warily.

"They've had to meet in secret just to spare your pride. What more do you want from them?"

I bit down hard on my lower lip.

I didn't release it even when I tasted blood.

"Why?"

Why did everyone insist on treating me like a fool?

"There isn't a reason."

Adrian looked at me coldly.

"I will marry you. I'll give you the title of Mrs. Carter and everything that comes with it. But on one condition. You accept that Fiona is part of my life."

Every sentence out of his mouth came back to Fiona.

He lied to me so he could remain by her side.

He would rather let everyone think the worst of him than leave Fiona unprotected.

Even the security assigned to me was really there to protect her from me.

"Don't bother, Adrian."

"The title of Mrs. Carter, the life you can give me, and you yourself. I don't want any of it."

If Adrian and Fiona truly loved each other, then I would step aside and let them be together.

"What are you making such a scene about now?"

Adrian's expression darkened completely.

"If you hadn't stayed away for so long, Fiona wouldn't have had to lower herself and help me deal with the marriage arrangement my family forced on me."

"You think you've been wronged. Do you think she hasn't?"

"She put her own marriage on the line to bring us back together. What have you ever done for me?"

"Every time we argue, you walk away. At the slightest problem, you threaten to end things. Have you ever considered how I feel?"

I wanted to tell him none of that was true.

I wanted to tell him I had given just as much as anyone else.

But Fiona caught Adrian's hand and pulled him away before I could speak.

"Ms. Bennett, I'm sorry you had to witness that. He never thinks before he speaks. Please let me apologize on their behalf."