Chapter 2

Seth pinched the bridge of his nose, his patience running thin. "That's enough. Let's both cool off for the night.

"Cali, you need to think this through. Do you really want to give up everything we've built over the years, the future we've planned together, and your parents' expectations just because of something so trivial?"

The door slammed shut, and I began to retch uncontrollably. My back was taut, but nothing came out. Tears and snot ran together in a hot, ugly mess across my face.

Once my tears dried, I knew what I had to do. I hailed a cab back to our place and packed my bags.

I had moved in with so much hope and anticipation. Now, I was leaving with nothing but humiliation and heartbreak. I couldn't help but let out a self-deprecating chuckle.

Right then, my phone chimed. Lillian had just posted an update.

Her caption read, "My last New Year's Eve as a single woman."

The photo was taken at the beach. Seth was down on one knee, proposing to her.

My heart twinged. My screen went dark, reflecting my pale face.

By the time I finished packing, my hands were trembling.

Forget it. From this moment on, he was free, and so was I.

Ironically, during the three years I had spent accompanying Seth through his treatment in Northshire, I had given up my career and my social life. The only person I regularly contacted was the doctor who treated his amnesia.

My whole world revolved around him. Even when he relentlessly pursued another woman, I kept making excuses for him.

I told myself he was just sick. He had forgotten who I was. Everything would be fine once he regained his memories.

However, he had been faking it all along.

All of a sudden, my phone rang. It was Dad.

"Cali, I heard from Seth that you two… had a bit of a disagreement."

"…Yeah." My throat tightened.

I wanted to tell Dad that we didn't just have a bit of a disagreement. I was breaking up with him.

"Dad, I…" Yet, the words caught in my throat, as if muffled by a lump of cotton.

What was I supposed to tell him? That Seth had been pretending to have amnesia all along? That he had done all of this just so he could marry another woman?

"Cali, there's something I didn't want to tell you, but… I have to now…"

Before I could say something, Dad said, "Your mother… she doesn't have much time left."

In a heartbeat, all the bitterness and accusations that had risen to my throat froze in place. "Dad… what… what did you just say?"

"Your mom has late-stage lung cancer. There's nothing the doctors can do. She kept it from you because she was afraid you'd worry…

"I called you today because I wanted to ask how Seth's doing. When are you two going to tie the knot? Your mom's hanging on by a thread these days because she wants to see you walk down the aisle in a beautiful wedding…"

I couldn't hear a single word Dad said after that. All that was left in my ears was a loud ringing.

The call disconnected.

Mom's dying wish was to see me marry Seth. Yet, he…

I dragged my suitcase and walked aimlessly down the street. At some point, it started to rain. It started as a light drizzle and turned into a torrential downpour.

I ended up on a corner, drenched from head to toe. Suddenly, an umbrella was held over my head.

I looked up. It was Seth.

He wrapped his arms around me, just like before he had pretended to have amnesia. I could feel his hands trembling as he held me.

"Come home with me… Cali, I've made up my mind. I won't marry Lillian anymore."

Seth snatched my suitcase away and ushered me into the passenger seat. He promised me, "Don't worry, I'll take care of everything and break things off with Lillian for good. Mr. Rosewood filled me in on your mother. We'll get married right away!"