Chapter 3

“What? You’re not getting married?”

Susan froze for a moment, then sighed helplessly. “The wedding date has been set, the invitations have already gone out. How can you back out now?”

Josie buried her face against Susan’s shoulder like a wronged child. “I just can’t bear to leave you.”

Susan gently rubbed Josie’s soft hair, her voice softening.

“Silly girl. You have loved Zac since you were young. You always dreamed of marrying him and starting your own family, didn’t you? So why suddenly…”

Josie felt a bitter pang in her chest.

Susan's words snapped her back to reality.

Zac had grown up under the Lindsay family elders' watchful eyes since childhood. He was exceptionally capable and he had won their complete trust and adoration.

Especially after their engagement six months ago, her father, Carl Lindsay, even trusted him with major company projects.

But how could she possibly tell Susan the truth?

There was never a place for her in Zac’s heart.

Their married life was nothing but a facade of love and harmony.

She wasn't even allowed to have his child. She had destroyed her health trying, and he hadn't shown an ounce of sympathy.

And their family’s corporation would eventually be devoured by him, piece by piece, until it became the stepping stone for his rise to power.

The memories of her past life throbbed painfully in her chest.

“Ma’am, Miss Bell has returned. Mr. Lucas is with her.”

The housekeeper’s voice came from outside the room.

Susan assumed Zac had come to discuss the upcoming wedding or perhaps check on Josie after the frightening incident.

She lightly patted Josie’s hand. “Stop overthinking. Go wash your face and change into something nice. Don’t keep them waiting.”

Josie frowned. Suzy was only just getting home now?

Well, it made sense. Zac had spent seven years pining after his first love. Now that he finally had her back last night, he wasn’t about to send her home early.

Suzy was the daughter of Susan’s best friend, Jean Bell.

Six months earlier, Suzy had returned from abroad to attend Josie and Zac’s engagement party. After that, she moved into the Lindsay household, saying she wanted to develop her career locally.

Because of her long friendship with Jean, Susan treated Suzy exceptionally well.

For the past six months, anything Josie had, Susan would make sure Suzy had as well. She was never left out of anything.

In Josie’s previous life, after Suzy died in the fire, Susan had nearly collapsed from heartbreak, sobbing that she had failed to protect her best friend’s daughter. The guilt consumed her as if the sky itself had fallen.

But after Josie’s parents died later on, she discovered something chilling while sorting through their assets. For years, Carl had secretly transferred enormous sums of money overseas.

The total amount had been staggering.

And every last transfer had gone to Jean’s account.

By the time Josie found out, both Suzy and Carl were gone. Whatever truth lay behind that money died with them. She never uncovered the full story.

That was why she had to find a way to warn Susan. Carl’s trust and loyalty had clearly begun shifting long before his death.

Josie did not hurry downstairs.

Her ankle still hurt, so she had the housekeeper push her in a wheelchair to the second-floor landing. She settled by the railing and looked down into the living room.

Zac stood at the center, perfectly polished in a tailored suit, tall and composed. His voice was calm and steady.

“Mr. Lindsay, Mrs. Lindsay, I have brought Suzy home. And there is one thing I must make clear.

“The wedding between Josie and me must be called off.

“For years, I have only seen Josie as a sister. I have never felt romantic love for her.

“The woman I care about is Suzy. I hope you will allow us to be together.”