Chapter 1

Derek Sloan and rising movie star Nina Graham's relationship had been all over the news for three days.

I kept it from my mom, Susan Grant, for just as long.

As the story gained more attention, I stayed by Mom's side, never leaving her alone.

Mom lay pale and weak in her hospital bed, her eyes drifting toward the door now and then.

"Where's Derek?" she asked.

I swallowed the ache in my chest and answered softly, "He's busy with work right now. He'll come see you when he gets a chance."

Hearing that, Mom smiled. She said, "I just haven't seen him in a while. He's busy with work, so don't give him a hard time.

"As long as you two are happy together, that's all that matters."

I smiled back.

After Mom fell asleep, I finally checked my phone, but there was nothing.

Derek didn't send me a single text, make a call, or offer any explanation.

I sat outside the hospital room, the cold from the chair seeping through my clothes and settling deep in my bones.

Then a notification popped up on my phone. It was a video from Nina.

In it, she and Derek were sitting in a private room, singing a love song together into their microphones.

They were dressed in matching outfits, and the way they looked at each other made their feelings painfully obvious.

When the song reached its peak, Nina turned and gave Derek a quick kiss.

It was barely more than a peck, but everyone in the video erupted in cheers.

The video went viral online almost instantly.

"They're so cute together!"

"The cool, aloof scientist and the gorgeous movie star? I approve of them together!"

I stared numbly at the flood of comments congratulating them.

I felt like I was watching someone else's life—except that I was Derek's wife.

I closed the video and leaned against the cold wall, closing my eyes.

With trembling hands, I called Derek, unable to stop thinking about how close he and Nina had been in the video.

Derek didn't answer.

A long time later, he finally called back. "What is it?"

It was lively on his end, as if they were celebrating something.

My voice came out hoarse. "I saw the headlines about you and Nina."

Derek sounded impatient. "That's what you're calling me about? It's just a publicity stunt for Nina. Don't start making a big deal out of nothing."

"It's just a publicity stunt?" I almost laughed, but my throat hurt so badly that it felt raw. "Derek, you are wearing matching outfits and kissing in front of everyone. How is that a publicity stunt?"

I heard Nina laughing in the background. She seemed to be asking Derek who was calling.

Derek's voice immediately softened. He replied, "It's nothing. Just someone unimportant."

When he turned his attention back to me, his irritation was even more obvious. "Blythe, how many times do I have to explain this?

"Nina's career is taking off. She needs the buzz and exposure. We're doing this to help her. Can you act like an adult and stop making a fuss over every little thing?"

"You think this is a trivial matter?" I gripped my phone until my knuckles turned white. "Derek, Mom is sick. She can't handle this kind of stress."

He went silent for a long time. "I understand. I won't let Susan find out."

Then he added, "But Blythe, don't forget that I'm the one paying for her medical treatment.

"If you cause me any trouble again, or say anything to the press that you shouldn't, you'd better be ready to bury Susan!"

The words "bury Susan" sent a sharp pain through my chest.

I felt cold all over. Even my breathing felt unsteady. "I understand."