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Before she could argue, he turned and walked off, sliding into his car and driving away without a backward glance.

Krystal stood frozen, her breath uneven. She looked down at the card in her hand and clenched her fist around it, her chest heaving with bottled rage.

“If it weren’t for Grandpa’s retirement, I’d shove a poisonous Cactus straight up your entitled billionaire ass, Lorenzo Moretti!” she finally spat out, eyes blazing as she watched the taillights fade into the night.

***

Lorenzo stepped into the hospital room as the orange light of sunset poured through the window.

Esther, lying under the covers, sat up the moment she saw him. A warm smile touched her lips.

“Lorenzo.”

Lorenzo stepped forward, steady and calm, helping Esther adjust the pillow behind her back so she could sit more comfortably.

“I’ve made an appointment with Doctor Astra. She’ll come check on you tomorrow at my house.”

Esther stiffened immediately. Fear spread across her face as she trembled and grabbed his hand tightly.

“Lorenzo, I’m so scared,” she whispered, voice barely audible. “Can we... not bring her? Maybe I’ll get better on my own. Please.”

“Don’t be afraid,” Lorenzo said, gently pulling his hand away. He smoothed her pillow and took a step back. “You don’t have to worry. I made sure she’s good—she’ll take care of you. This won’t make things worse. The doctor will help you get better, faster.”

His eyes held hers steadily, full of quiet reassurance. “You’re already so weak, Esther. It’s not good to delay your treatment any longer.”

“But—” Esther reached out again, desperate to grab him again, but he took another step back, keeping just enough distance to calm the moment.

“Don’t worry. I’ll be here. You won’t be alone.”

Then he turned and walked out of the room.

As his footsteps faded, another man slipped in. Esther glanced up, frustration tightening her features.

“What now?” the man asked, his voice low. “It won’t be easy to fool a big-shot physician. If he says she’s one of the best...”

“Shut up, Jim,” Esther muttered, folding her arms. “Did you really think I can’t handle it?”

She took a slow breath, leaning back against the pillows. Pulling out a makeup remover, she wiped away the powder from her face that made her look more sick, trying to lighten the weight on her face.

Looking up at Jim, now lively, fresh-faced and alert, she smirked with cold confidence.

“I’ve been faking this sickness with my pills for years, building up clots every time. I’ll just take another pill before Astra arrives—make sure there are clots to fool her,” she smirked. “As long asI take those pills, I look as sick as a dying woman. So many top doctors didn’t figure it out. How would this one?”

Jim walked over, hands in his pockets, brows furrowed. He sat down beside her and pulled her head close, pressing his lips to hers.

“Why are you risking so much?” he murmured against her mouth. “Your body’s been weak lately. Every time we’re together, you get tired, and faint.”

She gave him an annoyed look, but Jim didn’t stop. His mouth moved down to her neck, kissing, licking, sucking.

“When that dude gave you those pills, didn’t he warn you? Too much could damage your organs. Why risk it?”

She grabbed the back of his collar, pulling him away, eyes sharp.

“Now’s not the time to think about risks.” Her voice dropped, tense and bitter. “If Lorenzo hadn’t mistaken me for that girl who slept with him two years ago, if I hadn’t gotten into that accident, he wouldn’t spare me a second glance.”

She folded her arms tighter, staring Jim down.

“I need these pills as my excuse to stay close to him. It’s only because of this damn illness that he feels responsible for me.”