Chapter 3

Malachi's POV

I didn't see a doctor. Instead, I went home. I contacted the private investigator who had helped me track down the heart recipient.

He said, "I'm truly sorry, Mr. Fallon. We made a mistake back then. Besides Sienna, her best friend, Yvonne Weston, was also involved in the car accident that day. But after the heart surgery, her entire family moved to Niverton. They haven't returned in years."

The voice on the other end of the line was filled with remorse.

I remained silent for a long time before finally speaking. "I understand. Please keep looking into her exact whereabouts. Once you find her, book me a flight immediately. I want to see her as soon as possible."

I had been frail since childhood, and after everything that happened today, I fell ill. I lost consciousness at home, and in my daze, I felt a warm hand gently stroking my forehead. It reminded me so much of my lover, Serena Campbell.

Whenever I fell ill, she would always stay by my side, tending to me with the utmost care. She often stayed awake all night and gently coaxed me into taking my medicine and going to sleep.

Just thinking of her brought tears streaming down my cheeks. I grabbed that hand and held it tightly, murmuring her name, "Serena…"

The next second, a sharp pain shot through my wrist. I opened my eyes and met Sienna's furious gaze. "Malachi, who is that woman you were calling for?"

I looked down in disappointment. "Someone I used to know… I was dreaming about my childhood."

A trace of suspicion still lingered in her eyes, but she chose to believe my words. She knew nothing about my past relationships, nor did she know why I had pursued her in the first place.

But she had witnessed every bit of my devotion over the years. And she was convinced that a simp like me could never possibly have feelings for anyone else.

I asked, "Why are you at my house?"

Sienna's expression faltered for a moment. "You gave me the code to your door lock a while back. I called you so many times, but you didn't answer, so I came over myself. Both our families are getting together tonight. I was hoping you would—"

"Don't worry. I know what to do." I knew exactly why she had rushed over to give me a tiny shred of kindness. She wanted me to play along with her act tonight.

For years, I had gotten the wrong person and refused to let go. In a way, I had been the one pestering her. This time, I would make it up to her.

I forced myself to get dressed despite how weak I felt. I put on a decent suit and tied my tie. After that, I looked considerably more presentable.

Sienna left ahead of me and waited downstairs in her car. When I opened the car door, an odd smell mixed with the scent of perfume flooded my nostrils. The stench made my stomach turn.

Ryan was sitting in the passenger seat, grinning at me. "Sienna said this is such an important occasion, and she wanted to bring the person she loves with her. I hope you don't mind, Mr. Fallon."

I asked coldly, "Isn't this a gathering between our two families?"

Sienna glanced at me and said awkwardly, "A lot of people are going today, and Ryan hasn't been back in the country long. He wants to attend gatherings with people in our circle and meet more people. And besides, my parents like you a lot. You can put in a good word for Ryan."

I looked at the two of them sitting in the front seats, acting like lovebirds. I remained unbothered and said, "Okay."