Chapter 2

Eric was the first big-shot I got to know in this world, a real tycoon, but with the complicated backstory of being the family's secret.

When I first met him, Janet had ditched him over money, and his family had kicked him to the curb because he was sick with liver cancer.

I was all in, trying to win his trust. I brought him into my tiny apartment, nursed him through his illness, and hustled like crazy to scrape together cash for his treatments. I even went as far as donating part of my liver when we turned out to be a match.

Eric bounced back, and with a little push from me, he climbed his way to the top of the business world.

Just when Eric was practically 99% smitten with me, Janet came back.

She spun that tale about not leaving for the cash but because Eric's family had strong-armed her. She talked about her tough times abroad and how Eric was always on her mind.

Eric played it cool, but I could tell he was swayed. The moment Janet stepped back into our lives, his affection for me took a nosedive to ninety percent.

When Janet accused me of giving her the cold shoulder, Eric was down to 80%. When she claimed I pushed her, it dropped to 70.

Over five years, Eric's feelings for me were like a roller coaster, finally settling at a chilly 30%.

I had always thought Eric's heart would not skip a beat for me again.

However, when I woke up in the hospital, I saw his concern for me had spiked to 50%.

It was not just his concern that had changed. Eric was different, too.

He rushed to my side as I tried to sit up, propping a pillow behind me with care.

"Take it easy," he said gently. "The doctor mentioned you've got a concussion."

The air was biting cold, and the lake had turned to ice.

That explained the throbbing pain in my head. I must have hit the ice.

His soft voice, though, made the room spin a little less.

Eric squirmed under my stare and looked away. "We found the charm bracelet. I got it wrong about you.

"It was the nanny who took it. She claimed it was a mix-up and thought it was hers. I've let her go.

"Yara, Janet jumped to conclusions too quickly. I've talked to her. She's going to apologize to you."

'Who owes who an apology? Is Janet really going to say sorry to me?' I could not quite grasp it.

Before I could even process it, Eric had brought Janet in from the hallway.

She stood by my bed, her apology coming out more forced than heartfelt.

After her half-hearted 'sorry,' she could not resist a dig.

"Yara, let's try to talk things out next time, okay? You leaping into the lake gave us all a fright. We're adults. We can sit down and work through issues."

I used to bite my tongue for Eric's sake, to keep the peace with Janet.

I never fought back against her snide remarks.

However, I was done playing nice.

"Who's not talking things through? I tried. Did anyone listen?

"I told you from the start it wasn't me, but no one believed me. And Eric, you call that an apology? You wanted me to apologize to her as if I should stand outside till nightfall. If she's falsely accused me, shouldn't she face the same?"

Janet paled.

Eric's brow creased in concern, though he remained silent.

Janet, putting on a show, said, "Yara's right. I'll go back and stand if it keeps her from getting mad."

With those words, she dashed out of my hospital room.

Eric glanced back at me, his expression turning grim, but he held back any biting remarks.

"Yara, how could you be so harsh with Janet? She's sick and can't be on her feet for too long. I'm going to go stop her. Please don't make those kinds of jokes anymore."