Chapter 3

I skipped the doctor and went straight home.

As soon as I stepped inside, I called the private investigator I had hired years ago to track down the recipient of the heart transplant.

"I'm so sorry, Ms. Richardson. We made a critical error in the initial investigation. Leonardo wasn't the only one involved in the car accident that day. His best friend, Adrian Jenkin, was there too."

He added, "After the heart transplant surgery, Adrian and his family moved to Northwell. They haven't been back since."

The voice on the other end sounded genuinely apologetic. Silence stretched between us for a long moment before I finally found my voice.

"I see. Please continue tracking his exact whereabouts. As soon as you find him, book me the first flight out. I want to see him as soon as possible."

…

I had always been frail. After the emotional toll of the day, my body finally gave out.

I didn't know how long I lay unconscious in my apartment. In the haze, I felt a warm hand gently brushing my forehead. The touch was achingly familiar—like my late boyfriend, Neil Thatcher.

Whenever I fell sick, Neil would stay up all night by my side, patiently coaxing me to take my medicine before watching me drift off to sleep. The memory made tears spill uncontrollably from the corners of my eyes.

I reached out, gripping that hand like a lifeline as I murmured, "Neil…"

The next second, a searing pain shot through my wrist. I bolted awake, my eyes meeting Leonardo's livid stare.

"Vanessa, who is the man you were calling out for?" he demanded.

I lowered my gaze, my heart sinking with quiet disappointment. "Just an old friend. I was dreaming about my childhood."

Though suspicion still lingered in his eyes, he chose to believe me in the end. He didn't know anything about my past lover or why I had pursued him so relentlessly.

But after witnessing my devotion over the years, he was convinced that a lapdog like me couldn't possibly have room in my heart for anyone else.

"What are you doing in my house?" I asked.

Leonardo stiffened slightly. "You gave me your door code before. I called you several times, but you didn't answer, so I came over."

He abruptly shifted the topic. "There's a dinner between our two families tonight. I hope you—"

"Don't worry," I cut him off. "I know what I should do."

I knew exactly why he was here in such a rush. This so-called mercy mission had nothing to do with concern. He just needed me to play along tonight.

All these years, I had mistaken him for someone else. I supposed it was my own fault for holding on so long. Tonight's performance would be my way of making it up to him.

I forced myself out of bed and applied delicate makeup to conceal the sickly pallor of my skin.

Leonardo went downstairs first to wait for me in the car.

When I opened the passenger door, a strange scent mixed with perfume hit me, making me feel inexplicably nauseous.

Renee was sitting in the front passenger seat, beaming at me. "Leo said tonight was important, and he wanted the woman he loves by his side. You don't mind, do you, Ms. Richardson?"

I replied coldly, "I thought this was a private dinner between our families."

Leonardo glanced at me, clearly uncomfortable. "There will be a lot of people there tonight. Renee just got back to the country. She wants to make the rounds and meet people."

He cleared his throat. "Besides, my parents actually like you. You could put in a good word for Renee while you're at it."

I watched them from the back seat, acting affectionate as ever, and felt absolutely nothing.

"Alright."