Chapter 2

Back at the estate, I began packing my belongings.

A few days earlier, Vivian had visited the estate.

Holding Lucien's arm, she had pouted playfully.

“This estate is so beautiful, Lucien. It would be wonderful if we could live here after we get married.”

Lucien looked at her tenderly.

“If you like it, then we'll live here.”

Vivian hesitated.

“But I'm worried we'll inconvenience Chloe.”

Lucien turned to look at me, an awkward expression crossing his face.

He had always thought I was spoiled and difficult to please. He was certain I'd throw a tantrum.

Instead, I took a small sip of coffee and replied calmly, “I'll move somewhere else.”

Lucien patted my head and praised me for finally growing up and becoming sensible.

“I own plenty of estates. Pick one and move in.”

I nodded.

“All right.”

I appeared obedient, but inside, the pain felt like a thousand needles piercing my heart.

The entire estate had been designed around my preferences.

But it wasn't the estate itself that I couldn't bear to leave.

It was the ten years I'd spent by Lucien's side.

I packed until late that night. Exhausted and physically weak, I developed a fever.

My health was already poor. A fever could lead to a lung infection and worsen my condition.

When the servants saw how delirious I had become, they immediately called Lucien.

“Don, Miss Moretti has suddenly developed a high fever. She's in very bad shape.”

I could vaguely hear the conversation through my feverish haze.

Lucien replied calmly, “Chloe gets like this all the time. It's nothing serious. Call the family doctor.”

He didn't believe the report that I was sick.

He assumed I was throwing another tantrum, pretending to be ill just to make him come home and keep me company.

This time, however, Lucien was determined not to indulge my behavior any longer.

The servant wanted to explain that things were different this time. Miss Moretti had even coughed up blood.

But Lucien spoke first.

“It's storming tonight, and Vivian is afraid of thunder. I need to stay with her.”

Before the servant could say another word, Lucien hung up.

I took fever medication and placed a cooling patch on my forehead. Something inside me felt as though it had been hollowed out completely.

By the next morning, my fever had subsided.

I contacted my fiancé, Harvey, and told him the truth.

“Harvey, I'm sorry, but we have to cancel the wedding.”

I pushed my medical report across the table.

“I have lung cancer. I can't drag you down with me.”

Harvey and I had entered this engagement for mutual convenience.

He had no romantic feelings for me either. Like me, he was simply following his family's wishes by marrying into the Moretti family.

Although our marriage had been arranged, we got along reasonably well. At the very least, we were friends.

Harvey picked up the report and read it before asking, “Does Mr. Moretti know?”

I shook my head.

“He doesn't. Please keep this a secret for me.”

“My father is about to get married. I don't want to distract him with my problems.”

Harvey looked at me with sympathy. He knew I loved Lucien.

“Chloe, is there anything I can do for you?”

I took out a document and handed it to him.

“I need you to look over this for me.”

Harvey opened it, his expression turning to shock.

“You're transferring all your shares to Mr. Moretti?”

“Chloe, those are the assets your biological parents left you!”

I remained calm.

“I still have part of my trust fund. It'll cover my daily expenses and medical treatment.”

Confusion filled Harvey's eyes.

“Is it really worth it?”

I picked up a pen and signed the document without hesitation.

“Lucien raised me for ten years. I'll never be able to repay that debt.”

“Besides, I've been willful over the years and caused him plenty of trouble.”

I looked up and gave him a faint smile.

“He's getting married.”

“Consider these shares my wedding gift to him.”