Chapter 5

"Ms. Richardson, we've confirmed that the recipient of the donation has opened an art studio in Granite City, Northwell. We've emailed you the details. Please take a look," the private investigator said. "Also, your flight is booked. It departs at 3:00 pm today."

"He" still loved to paint, after all.

My heart jumped with excitement. I began packing my bags, ready to rush toward my next encounter. I wondered if this version of him, who still loved to paint, would fall for me all over again.

A moment later, my phone buzzed. It was my dad.

"Ness, the Zellers are asking for an outrageous amount. They think just because of you—"

"Dad," I interrupted softly. "I'm finished with the Zellers. You can cut off all business support for them."

Dad let out a soft sigh. "Alright."

After a brief pause, he added, "Ness… he's gone. But you still have me. I'll always be your strongest support."

"I know. Thanks, Dad. I'll leave the matter of the called-off wedding in your hands."

I had barely hung up when a frantic pounding shook my door. "Ms. Richardson! Something's happened! Mr. Zeller has been hospitalized with severe stomach distress!"

I opened the door to find Leonardo's assistant, Henry Bennett, standing there looking panicked.

"How is he?" I asked flatly.

"He's been admitted. Mr. Zeller took Ms. White out for a spicy seafood boil, and his stomach just couldn't handle it. The pain was so intense he passed out…"

His voice trailed off as he carefully studied my expression. When he realized I looked completely unfazed, he quickly added, "They're just friends. Nothing inappropriate happened."

I listened in silence, then simply grabbed my suitcase and headed for the door.

Henry followed closely at my heels, his confusion growing when he realized I wasn't heading toward the hospital. "Ms. Richardson, where are you going? Mr. Zeller is still in the hospital. Aren't you going to look after him?"

"I'm busy," I replied indifferently. "From now on, don't come to me with his problems."

"What?"

The moment those words left my lips, Henry stared at me, his eyes wide with shock.

I ignored his look and continued, "My dad will handle the Zellers' request to call off the wedding. As of today, our families are done with each other."

"But… Mr. Zeller is waiting for you at the hospital. It's not that he has no feelings for you." Disbelief was written all over Henry's face. "Ms. Richardson, are you really going to withdraw?"

Whether Leonardo loved me or not had nothing to do with me anymore. Over the past few years, I had given him my resources and affection. Even if everything had been based on a case of mistaken identity, I had more than paid my dues. We were even.

I chuckled. "That's right. I'm making room for Renee. Do me a favor and tell him the truth. I had the wrong man all along. My heart has always belonged to someone else. Tell him to take the hint and stop pestering me."

At the thought of finally meeting the real recipient and hearing Neil's heartbeat once more, a wave of anticipation surged through me.

I ignored the hesitation on Henry's face and headed straight for the airport, bound for Northwell without a single backward glance.

Meanwhile, Henry rushed back to the hospital, stammering as he delivered the news.

"Mr. Zeller, Ms. Richardson isn't coming. She's already left the country. She said… she said she realized she had been with the wrong man all these years. She's going to find her true love now. She told you to… well, to take the hint and stop pestering her."