Chapter 3

I nodded eagerly. "I've only ever heard about it, but I've never actually tried it! They say it's delicious."

Henry felt even worse for me. He was convinced I'd had a miserable life, like some poor kid who'd never even tasted a four-dollar lemonade.

After a moment of silence, he pressed me down into a chair and told me not to get up.

"I'll take care of the rest."

I scratched my head, feeling a little embarrassed.

"Then… when I get the 200 dollars, I'll share some with you."

"You don't have to," Henry said.

I dropped the subject, then retrieved the rosary I'd worked so hard to pray for from the trash.

The wish I'd made was to find someone who would love me wholeheartedly. I hadn't prayed for Tyler, anyway. If he didn't want the rosary, I'd keep it for myself.

I hung it from my waist, unaware of Henry's gaze following me.

When we were done, Henry offered to call a cab, but I insisted on walking back.

"This is Tyler's test. I can't cheat."

He looked at me. "Do you really love him that much?"

I didn't know how to answer. After all, the person inside this body wasn't the same anymore. I could only give him a sheepish smile and dodge the question.

Relying on the body's memories, I limped slowly back.

The woman I'd become had been an orphan, with no parents, just like me. We even shared the same name. After she died of an illness, I somehow ended up in her body. We were both unfortunate souls.

From what I remembered, Tyler had been attracted to my looks and pursued me, only to let the women in his circle bully me under the guise of testing me.

Still, Tyler was Brexton's golden boy, with a fortune most people could only dream of.

Thinking about the 200 dollars and the lemonade I'd get when I returned, I perked up and quickened my pace.

By the time I reached the mansion, my legs were barely able to hold me up. Henry had to help steady me.

As we approached the entrance, I overheard their conversation inside.

"This is hilarious!" someone said, laughing. "Does that woman really think this excuse will get her attention?"

"Now that's an unusual tactic. Hey, Tyler, you'd better buy her that lemonade before she gets upset."

Nadia snickered. "Buy it? As if! We never planned to. She wanted to put on a show, so we just played along."

Someone asked, "You don't think she actually walked all the way back, do you?"

Nadia scoffed. "Of course not. She probably stopped for coffee and touched up her wounds to make them look worse. Then, she'll walk in looking all pitiful and try to win everyone's sympathy.

"The moment Tyler lets his guard down, she'll get what she wants. That lemonade was just an excuse to get his attention."

My heart sank. So they'd just been playing me. I wouldn't be getting the 200 dollars or the lemonade.

My body was aching so badly that I lost my footing and stumbled through the door.

"Look at that!" Nadia exclaimed, pointing at me. "We were just talking about her, and now she's stumbled in right on cue. What a pitiful sight."

She even pulled out her phone to record me in my miserable state.

"Look at those wounds. They're so convincing."

Henry hurried over and helped me up. "Nadia! She really did walk all the way back. Don't be so cruel."

Nadia was annoyed that someone had taken my side.

"Well, well, Henry," she drawled. "This woman certainly knows how to work her rosary. How long did it take her to turn you against us? Let me remind you, she's a kept woman—a rich man's plaything.

"Tyler hasn't even fallen for her, and you're already getting attached."

I gritted my teeth and looked at Tyler. "I wasn't pretending…"

Nadia cut me off, "Of course you weren't. You're just naturally so indifferent to money."

The room erupted in laughter, and Tyler was embarrassed.

"That's enough. Go upstairs," he ordered.

I'd never been treated like this before, and I didn't know what to do.

I went upstairs, feeling miserable. Lying in bed, I felt utterly dejected.

There was no money or lemonade, but I was good at cheering myself up. Soon, I managed to feel better.

There would always be another chance. After all, Tyler was the most eligible heir in Brexton.

When I woke up, my whole body was aching.

I went downstairs to rebandage my wounds, and Tyler came back and told me that Nadia was going to stay here for a few days.

"Make sure you take good care of her," he said.