Chapter 2

Avery stayed away from the mansion for days.

Ryan was relieved.

Since his diagnosis, he'd fought cancer every day. But the meds and rounds of chemo hadn't stopped him from coughing up blood or losing his hair in clumps.

His whole body ached, as if his bones were slowly breaking. Even sleeping pills couldn't help him sleep.

On another painful night, Ryan numbly rinsed the blood from the sink. The running water couldn't drown out his ragged breaths.

He shut off the faucet and dragged himself toward the bedroom.

A news report came on the living room TV.

"Carter Group CEO Avery Carter and Dylan Blake, the Blake family's oldest son, have announced their engagement. The wedding is next month..."

Ryan stopped and turned.

Onscreen, Avery wore a sleek black evening gown. The man beside her smiled smugly.

Ryan's eyes widened. His heart clenched.

The reporter didn't hold back. "Ms. Carter, you once said you'd always have a new man on your arm. Why settle down with Dylan Blake?"

Warmth softened Avery's usually cool gaze.

"Years ago, someone donated a kidney to save my life. I've been looking for him ever since, ready to give him anything he wanted. I only recently found out it was Dylan."

Ryan's breath caught. He clutched his chest, trying to ease the pain.

'No... That's not what happened...'

After being forced to leave Avery, he'd moved abroad. She'd followed, refusing to let him go. Then a car crash ruptured her kidney.

He'd rushed back and anonymously donated one of his. Now someone else was taking credit.

He wanted to tell her, but his throat closed up.

'I'm dying. What would telling her change?

'It would only hurt her more.'

The front door swung open.

The couple from the news walked in.

Dylan took one look at Ryan and yelped. "Oh my God! A ghost!"

Ryan was paper-white and thin enough for a gust to knock him over. Under the bright lights, his skin looked almost see-through over his bones.

Avery frowned, giving him a cold once-over before patting Dylan's arm. "Relax. He's not a ghost."

Dylan calmed down. "Then who is he?"

"The help," Avery said flatly.

Ryan's heart sank. His nails dug into his palms.

'She forced me back, but she won't touch me or call me her boyfriend. I just watch her sleep with other men and clean up after them. What else am I but the help?'

Dylan gave him a knowing look and sneered. "Well? Why aren't you making dinner?"

Ryan bowed his head and silently headed for the kitchen.

Avery watched him go, her eyes dark, her face unreadable.

Ryan struggled to lift the pot and pour the soup into a serving bowl.

His fingers shook around the handle. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead.

The kitchen door opened.

"Let me help." Dylan's tone chilled him.

Ryan dodged his hand. "I've got it. It's smoky in here. You should wait outside."

Dylan stepped closer. "I know who you are, Ryan Reed. The first love Avery never got over.

"You're a weird one. You dumped her when she was broke, then secretly gave her a kidney.

"You know I took credit, but you kept quiet. What are you hiding?"

Ryan ignored him. "Mr. Blake, dinner's almost ready. Please wait outside."

He ushered Dylan toward the door. Dylan suddenly turned and swept the soup bowl off the island.

Crash!

The bowl shattered, splashing scalding soup onto his legs.

"Ah!" Dylan cried, dropping to the floor.