Chapter 3

In front of someone you truly love, you'll go out of your way to fulfill their smallest requests.

So Alec loves Isadora, but not me.

"What's wrong? Don't you like it?"

I took the scarf from his hand and forced a smile:

"I do."

Hearing that I liked it, Alec finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Why do you look so pale? Are you feeling alright?"

Just as I was about to respond, we were interrupted by the sound of a ringing phone.

"Alec, I want to see the new horror movie. Can you come over and watch it with me?"

"I'll be right there."

It was Isadora's voice.

Alec thought I hadn't heard, and went on lying.

"Faye, something's come up at the office. I need to head over there."

He picked up his jacket, ready to leave.

I quickly spoke up: "I think I have a fever."

I thought telling him I wasn't feeling well would make him stay, but Alec didn't hesitate for a moment, just tossing out a response.

"Have the driver take you to the hospital."

With that, he hurriedly left.

Watching his silhouette disappear through the doorway, I felt a lump in my throat.

Hiding the sorrow in my eyes, I didn't hesitate any longer. I took out my phone and sent a message to my dad.

"Dad, I've decided not to get married."Dad seemed surprised by my sudden change of heart about getting married at the last minute, and asked with concern what had happened.

I didn't say anything, just that I was tired.

Dad guessed a little of what was going on and sighed.

"Honey, when you first said you wanted to marry into the Carlisle family, I agreed because I only want you to be happy. But if you're not happy, then come back home."

My eyes welled up with tears and I began to cry silently.

Dad eventually arranged for a driver to take me back to Frost Manor a week later.

Because I had caught a cold, I developed a high fever that night.

In my feverish haze, the fresh scent of gardenias wafted around my nose.

When I opened my eyes again, I was lying in a hospital bed.

The first thing I saw was Alec's worried face.

"Are you feeling any better?"

He frowned, his palm naturally coming to rest on my forehead.

"Still a bit warm."

Seeing the concern in his eyes, I turned my head away.

Realizing I might be blaming him for not caring about me, Alec began to explain:

"I'm sorry, Faye. I've been so busy with work that I didn't notice you weren't feeling well."

Right, busy meeting Isadora, busy watching horror movies with her.Seeing that I didn't respond to him, Alec felt an inexplicable sense of unease rising in his heart.

He wanted to say something more, but was interrupted by the sound of a ringtone.

It was Isadora calling again.

This time she was crying, saying she had scraped her hand. Although it wasn't bleeding, it really hurt.

Her whiny voice immediately caused Alec's expression to change to one of panic.

He patiently comforted Isadora on the other end of the phone, saying he'd be right over.

"Faye, I..."

"Go ahead."

I still didn't turn to look at him, and felt no emotional response whatsoever.

"Really?"

"Mm-hmm."

Getting my confirmation, Alec immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

"Faye, you know, Isadora's health isn't good and she just got back to the country..."

"I'm feeling dizzy. You should hurry and go."

I cut off his words, not wanting to hear his pointless explanations.

Alec was taken aback.

Maybe I was too calm, making him feel strange.

After all, in this kind of situation before, I definitely would have interrogated him about where he was going and why he wasn't staying with me.

But why was I suddenly like this today?