Chapter 2

Lawrence was delightfully surprised by the call.

"You've finally thought it through, Tessa! Don't worry. I know your difficulties. I'll apply for financial aid for you with the university. I'll help you figure out a way to pay for your boyfriend's treatment too. If there's a need, we'll just hold a donation campaign on campus—"

"It's fine, Mr. Werner."

Tessa rejected Lawrence's offer softly. "I can pay for my university fees. Let's leave the financial aid to someone who needs it more than I do. As for payment for his treatment… We don't need it any longer."

Lawrence did not think much of it. He was sincerely happy for her when he found out Tessa had the means to pay for her studies.

"That's good. You can focus on studying overseas now. There's still half a month before classes begin. Use the time to settle everything you need at home before you leave."

"Thanks, Mr. Werner."

Tessa did not say anything further. She hung up and hugged the bag in her arms even tighter.

She did not waste any time as she turned to leave the hospital. She put all the money in her bag into her bank account and used it to pay her university fees. She also bought plane tickets for half a month later. Only two thousand dollars was left.

Tessa pressed on her abdomen, which was still burning with pain. She looked at the remaining amount in her account and smiled miserably.

She was lucky.

She was lucky enough to find out the truth before she handed her hard-earned money over to Henry.

When she returned to the entrance of the ward, Henry was alone, lying on the bed.

Tessa bit her lip and decided to push down on the door's handle.

Henry hid the nonchalant look on his face, reverting to her considerate and wonderful boyfriend. "Why are you late today, Tessa?"

Tessa clenched her fingers and looked down. "I had something to settle in class."

Henry did not suspect a thing. He held Tessa's hand with a look of excitement in his eyes. "I have good news for you."

Tessa gave a pause but still asked the question, "What is it?"

"The doctor just told me that my cancer was a misdiagnosis. I'm fine!"

It was just as Tessa expected. She closed her eyes. She was reminded of the time his phone, which had been beside her, lit up with a message and she accidentally glimpsed at the content. How ironic it had been.

The name 'Serene' had popped up. She had sent a message to a group chat.

[Henry, tell that penniless woman that your cancer was a misdiagnosis. I'd like to see her reaction when she finds out she forked out every single penny she had for nothing. That'd be fun.]

Everyone else in the group supported the idea and even thought it was a great one. Some in the group even started to bet on whether Tessa would lose her temper at Henry.

The last message stopped at Henry's reply.

[Your wish is my command, my lady.]

Henry did everything Tessa asked of him, and this made her think that she had the best boyfriend in the world. Never did Tessa expect that it was all just an act built on the foundation of Serene's orders. Tessa was nothing but a toy to them.

Smiling, she replied to him sincerely, "It's great that you're fine."

Henry did not expect such a calm reaction from her. He hesitated momentarily before continuing to blame himself for everything. "I should've visited more than one hospital for a diagnosis. That way, you wouldn't have ended up using all your hard-earned money for nothing."

Tessa shook her head. "It's worth using the money on you."

She decided to treat that money as buying out the last two years she had with Henry.

Sixty thousand dollars for two years with the heir of Jennings Corporation… They had spent every day together. No matter how Tessa looked at it, it was considered a gain for a penniless student like her who had nothing.

Her reply was like a hammer that slammed down hard on Henry's heart.

As the heir to Jennings Corporation, Henry had always been surrounded by people who fawned over him and pretended to care for him. He had become immune to such situations.

However, Tessa was different. She had no idea who he really was. Every word from her came from the bottom of her heart. She was even willing to use up the savings she had squirreled away for four years on him.

Even when the money had been spent for nothing, she did not say a bad word to him.

Henry was overcome with mixed emotions. He pulled Tessa into his arms. "Thanks, Tessa."

She lowered her eyes to hide the irony in them.

…

When they returned to their rented apartment in the suburbs, Henry sighed as he lay down on their three-foot-long bed. "Our bed is the best."

Tessa spoke up softly. "It's been hard on you."

Henry was a rich heir who was supposed to live in a villa and sleep on a six-foot-long bed, but he gave up those luxuries to squeeze on a small bed with Tessa for two years.

There was no need to dwell on it. Soon, both Tessa and Henry would gain freedom.