Chapter 6

Outside the venue stood a huge fountain pool, surrounded by plum trees in full bloom.

The bright blossoms eased some of the heaviness in Lauren's heart.

When she grew tired of walking, she looked for somewhere to sit.

Then she saw Zoe coming toward her.

Perhaps Quentin's grand surprise for Lauren finally pushed Zoe too far.

She dropped the pretense altogether.

"Lauren Ingram, you heard what happened on that call I made to you, didn't you?"

"If you heard it, why didn't you confront him or leave? Why are you still with Quentin? Yes, I admit he gave you a huge surprise today, but he only did it because he feels guilty!

“If he loved you as much as he claims, he wouldn't give me a second glance. I've slept with him a thousand times.

“Do you know what that means? It means he's been with me whenever you weren't looking.

"You just met him a few years before I did. What's there to be so proud of?"

"One day, I'll prove that his heart and his body both belong to me!"

Lauren listened without expression, then turned to leave.

Zoe seized her hand. "Let's make a bet, Lauren. We'll see which one of us Quentin cares about more. Are you brave enough?"

With that, Zoe pulled Lauren into the pool with her.

It was the middle of winter, and the water was close to freezing.

Lauren's heavy, elaborate gown soaked through and dragged her downward like a weight.

She fought desperately to stay afloat, but the weight kept pulling her down.

Her body began to shake uncontrollably.

Just as her strength was about to give out, Quentin rushed over and saw what was happening.

His heart lurched at the sight of them struggling in the water.

He jumped in at once.

Zoe was weak from the cold too.

When she saw him swimming toward them, she cried out, "Quentin!"

He paid her no attention.

He called Lauren's name and swam as hard as he could toward her, farther across the pool.

"Lauren!"

He pulled her out and held her tightly against him.

She was already dangerously cold.

"Lauren, wake up. Sweetheart, please don't scare me..."

He looked frightened.

His eyes were red, his grip on her was tight, and his voice caught as he spoke.

When the staff arrived with dry towels, Quentin wiped the water from her with trembling hands and told them to call an ambulance.

Lauren's skin had turned red and purple from the cold, and she was barely conscious.

The last thing she saw before she passed out was a security guard pulling Zoe from the water.

Zoe's face shifted from blue to pale, and tears filled her eyes.

She looked almost ridiculous.

When Lauren woke, she found herself in a hospital room.

A nurse noticed she was awake and began checking her temperature, talking all the while.

"Mrs. Hale, you're finally awake. If you'd slept a few more hours, I think Mr. Hale would have called in every doctor in the city."

"That's right. We told him you were just exhausted, but he wouldn't believe us. He insisted we give you a full examination."

Lauren paid little attention to what the nurses said.

She braced her weakened body and tried to sit up.

Quentin returned just then.

When he saw she was awake, he rushed over and held her tight, burying his face against her neck.

Fear still shook his voice.

"Lauren, you're finally awake. Do you know how badly you scared me? If you hadn't woken up, I wouldn't have survived it."

Lauren stiffened for a moment but said nothing.

She let him hold her.

Then Quentin's phone rang.

He reluctantly let go and glanced at the screen.

His expression changed.

After a few seconds, he kissed Lauren's forehead. "Get some rest, Lauren. I need to take care of something at work."

Lauren murmured her agreement, and Quentin hurried out.

She quietly got out of bed and followed him.

She watched him go up to the sixth floor and enter a room beside the stairs.

Through a gap in the curtains, Lauren saw Zoe.

Zoe was throwing a fit.

A cup and pieces of fruit lay scattered across the floor.

As soon as Quentin entered, he pulled her into his arms, impatience edging his voice.

"Why are you making a scene again? How many times do I have to tell you I don't love you? My heart belongs to Lauren. I wasn't going to leave her in danger."

"If you don't love me, why have you slept with me so many times? Why did you rush over as soon as I called? Quentin Hale, I hate you! Fine, if you don't love me, I won't love you either. I'll find someone else."

Quentin's face darkened.

He grabbed her arm. "Don't you dare!"

Zoe said nothing.

She wiped her tears away, but cried even harder.

Quentin watched her through her tears and sighed.

At last, he pulled her close, as if admitting defeat. "All right, don't cry. I was wrong this time. I'll give it to you whatever you want, okay?"