Chapter 2
A deathly silence fell.
No one knew how long it lasted before Brigham broke it. His voice, slightly hoarse, came through. “How did you know?”
Faye stared at the cold white ceiling of the hospital room. The fluid in the IV drip fell one drop at a time like it was counting down the last moments of her foolish love.
“Just answer me. Will you or not?”
There was a two–second pause before Brigham finally spoke. His tone. carried an unreadable emotion, and his breath sounded slightly uneven.
“Come to me within seven days. We’ll get married.”
“And one more thing…” he paused. “After you marry me, you must never have anything to do with Howell again.”
Faye closed her eyes briefly. Her voice was soft but firm. “I won’t.
“After seven days, I’ll never see him again.”
After hanging up, she booked a flight to San Francisco in seven days.
That was Brigham’s territory.
***
T
For the rest of that day, Howell never appeared again.
Only a caregiver came in and said politely, “Ms. Atkinson, Mr. Swanson has been extremely busy at work lately. He asked me to take care of you.”
Chapter 2
Faye replied with a simple nod, not exposing the lie.
She knew Howell wasn’t busy at work. He was by Alianna’s bedside, refusing to leave even for a second.
It wasn’t until the day she was discharged that Howell finally showed up.
He was dressed in a suit, a trace of weariness between his brows, yet still so handsome.
Seeing her ready to leave, he walked over quickly, reaching out to take her bag with a guilty tone. “I’m sorry, Faye. Work’s been hectic lately, and I’ve also been preparing a surprise. That’s why I couldn’t be here.”
Faye avoided his hand and carried her bag herself. “What surprise?”
A rare softness surfaced in Howell’s eyes as he smiled faintly. “I’m taking you somewhere.”
jan hour later, the car stopped in front of a luxurious hotel.
Faye followed Howell inside. As he pushed open the ballroom doors, she was greeted by roses and candlelight.
A proposal scene.
The guests all turned to look at her.
Howell took her hand and led her to the center of the room. Then he knelt down on one knee and pulled out a diamond ring from his pocket.
“Faye.” He looked up at her, his voice deep and earnest. “Will you marry me?”
Faye stared at him, dazed, as though an invisible hand was tightly gripping her heart.
She had once longed for this moment so badly.
Yet now, looking at the dazzling diamond ring, it felt like the cruelest joke.
The proposal she had waited so long for came at the price of her kidney.
Just as she was about to refuse, the ballroom doors were suddenly pushed open.
“Sorry. I’m late.”
A soft and fragile voice rang out.
Faye turned and saw Alianna standing in the doorway in a white dress. tears shimmering in her eyes.
“Brigham, Faye,” Alianna said as she walked over. “What happened back. then was my fault. I shouldn’t have clung to Brigham lately either… I’ve disturbed you. So when I heard about the proposal, I came to give blessings.”
As she spoke, she took out two exquisitely wrapped gift boxes and handed them to Howell and Faye.
“Wish you… happiness.”
With that, she turned to leave. But after two steps, she suddenly “collapsed” to the floor.
“Alia!”
you my
Howell’s face changed instantly. He sprang to his feet and rushed over without hesitation, lifting Alianna into his arms.
He completely forgot he had just been kneeling before Faye.
He forgot the ring still clutched in his hand.
The guests erupted into murmurs.
Chaple
“Here we go again… Every time he sees Alianna, it’s like no one else. exists.”
“Faye’s been with him for so many years and still can’t compare to
Alianna.”
“He’s only ever loved Alianna, hasn’t he?”
Faye stood frozen in place, her fingers digging into her palm.
She watched as Howell carried Alianna away in a hurry, and saw Alianna’s lips move in a silent taunt from his arms.
“You’ll never be better than me,” she mouthed.
What a pathetic performance!
Yet Howell believed it without question.
