Chapter 1

Wendy overheard the conversation. She felt numbed.

Did Lucas fake his cancer?

Lucas, supposedly frail, threw his blanket off and jumped out of bed. The person beside him handed him a cigarette as if it were the norm.

Lucas, smoking a cigarette, looked nothing like the man Wendy remembered—the one who always had a gentle smile for her.

"Anyway, she never had much money. I didn't expect her to hand over all her money. I was surprised."

Laughter and teasing voices filled the room.

"You're not feeling sorry for her, are you? If Nat finds out, she will throw a fit."

"How can he? Lucas probably pities her. Back then, he hid his identity as the heir of the Shalton Corporation and dated that broke girl to help Nat get revenge. Natelie is his one true love. He even lived in the slums for two years for her."

"That woman should be grateful to Nat. Without her, she would never have had the chance to meet someone from high society like Lucas. Hah!"

Outside the room, Wendy trembled uncontrollably, her mind in complete chaos.

Lucas exhaled a lazy puff of smoke.

"I'm just as surprised. I didn't expect it to be this easy to make her spend every last cent. If I had known, I'd have faked being sick sooner.

"This should make Nat happy now."

Those cold words shattered the last bit of hope in Wendy's heart.

Her face turned even paler. She was barely able to stand.

A nurse noticed her and asked kindly, "Do you need help?"

Wendy regained her wit and saw someone about to exit the ward. She quickly thanked the nurse and rushed into a nearby restroom with unsteady steps.

The mirror reflected her ghostly pale face.

Those heart-piercing words echoed in her mind over and over again.

She never imagined that the man she thought was just like her—a poor student—was the heir of the Shalton Corporation.

Their entire relationship had been a lie.

Sweet memories of the past clashed with the cruel reality before her.

Wendy met Lucas by chance two years ago.

Back then, she worked part-time at a barbecue restaurant.

One night, a drunk customer got handsy with her. She pleaded for help from the boss, but he ignored her. Wendy gritted her teeth as the man got bolder, ready to smash his head.

Before she could, a warm hand pulled her behind, shielding her from the harassment.

Wendy's heart skipped a beat as she looked at the man's silhouette.

The situation was cliché, but for someone who had been an orphan since childhood, that small act of protection meant the world to her.

Later, she learned that Lucas was also an orphan. He had to work three jobs to get by. He even dropped out after high school because he could not afford the tuition.

With their similar backgrounds, they naturally grew closer and fell in love.

Hoping to save money for a place of their own, Wendy gave up her dorm and moved in with Lucas. Their rental was a tiny room on the outskirts of town.

Life was tough, but Wendy never complained. She believed their future would be bright as long as they worked hard.

A month ago, Lucas told her he had cancer.

He needed a massive sum for treatment.

Wendy thought of Lucas as her only family in this world. She could never watch him die.

She gave him everything she had saved over four years of working through college—a total of 8,000 dollars.

However, Lucas told her it was insufficient; his treatment would cost 70,000 dollars.

Wendy felt desperate when she saw Lucas so frail on the hospital bed. With no other choice, she sold her kidney on the black market.

She believed Lucas would recover with that money. They could go back to their old life, full of hope.

She never imagined it was all fake—be it Lucas' background or his cancer.

She could not help but wonder if their first meeting was fake, too.

Tears streamed down her face.

She had given up her kidney for a liar.

As for Nat, the only person she could think of was Natelie, one of her juniors from the university.

Back then, their university held a speech competition. The prize for first place was 700 dollars.

Wendy had worked hard for it, knowing the money could cover her tuition. Eventually, she won first place.

Natelie was the first runner-up.

When Wendy went up to receive her award, Natelie whispered, "No one steals my spotlight."

Wendy had brushed it off as childish competitiveness.

She never thought it would cost her so much.

Wiping her tears away, Wendy pulled out her phone and called Professor Wayson.

Half a month ago, her professor had told her about an overseas study opportunity. He wanted to recommend her for it.

At the time, she was occupied with raising money for Lucas and turned him down without hesitation.

She had finally learned the truth; there was no reason to give up her future for Lucas anymore.

She had no interest in the games of those from high society.

"Professor, I'm willing to study abroad."