"Alright. Whatever you say." I let out a small sigh. "I'm tired. I think I'll head home."

Benedict's shoulders relaxed.

"I'll drive you."

I shook my head, managing a weak smile.

"No need. The surgery's tomorrow—you must have so much to prepare. Focus on that. I'll just grab a cab."

Something softened in his eyes.

"Fern," he said quietly, "marrying someone as understanding as you is the greatest blessing of my life."

If I hadn't seen that post.

If that college girl didn't exist.

Maybe I really would have been moved by the sincerity in his gaze.

But now, meeting those eyes so full of love—

All I felt was the bitter taste of irony.

So love really could be faked.

I said nothing. Just turned and walked away.

But I didn't go far.

I slipped into a café on the ground floor of the hospital, ordered a coffee, and waited.

A few minutes later, Benedict emerged from the building, his white coat gone, walking quickly toward the street.

I set down my cup and followed.

He looked happy. Thrilled, even. He was on his phone, practically bouncing as he walked, clearly sharing good news with whoever was on the other end.

I trailed him to an upscale residential complex near the hospital.

The moment he reached one of the buildings, a girl came flying down the stairs and threw herself into his arms.

When I saw her face, my eyes went wide.

Her?

I'd been trying to understand how Benedict—who supposedly loved me enough to die for me—could suddenly be keeping a mistress.

Now I knew why.

My breath caught. Everything clicked into place.

That's why he'd gone to such lengths to get me to donate my kidney to her.

I couldn't watch them anymore—couldn't stand seeing them wrapped around each other like that.

I fled.

Back home, I collapsed onto the couch, unable to calm down.

Her face kept flashing before my eyes.

This was worse than I'd imagined. So much worse.

My hands shook as I pulled out my phone and made call after call.

Half an hour later, my parents, my mother-in-law, and my sister-in-law all came rushing through my door.

"What's wrong, Fern? You called us over so suddenly—did something happen?"

The four of them sat by the sofa, watching me with worried faces.

I looked at them for a long moment, then told them everything. Benedict's affair. How he'd tricked me into donating a kidney to his mistress.

When I finished, my mother-in-law shot to her feet.

"That animal!"

"How could he do this to you?"