Their kiss was passionate, a fervent seal on their commitment. My gaze fell to the modest sterling silver ring on my own finger—the one Hudson had given me with promises of an upgrade once my mother’s medical treatment was sorted out. He had insisted we save money for her care, and I had trusted him, clinging to the hope of a brighter future. But now, as I watched their love unfold, the truth crashed over me like a cold wave. He had been living a double life, and I was the one left in the shadows, unaware and heartbroken.
Harper hesitated, her brow furrowing with concern. “Hudson, aren’t we being unfair to Aubrey?”
Hudson gently stroked her back, his expression calm. “It’s precisely because we’ve been together for five years that I’m determined to marry you. After everything we’ve been through, I don’t want to leave any regrets behind. As for Aubrey, I’ve done my part. I’ve taken her and her mother to hospitals across the country. I’ve done everything I could for her.”
“But what if she finds out?” Harper’s voice wavered, a hint of worry creasing her brow.
Hudson met her gaze with unwavering confidence. “She loves me too much,” he assured her. “Even if she discovers the truth, I can easily talk her down. She’s too soft-hearted to walk away from me.”
Harper laughed softly, but unease lingered in her eyes. “But your parents don’t approve of me, especially since I’ve been married before.”
“Don’t worry about them,” Hudson reassured her, his voice steady. “The wedding will go on as planned, and I’ll declare in front of everyone that you’re my wife. Once it’s done, my parents will have no choice but to accept it. And Aubrey… she’ll simply fade away.”
Every word felt like a dagger to my heart, each one driving deeper into my chest. Hudson had orchestrated this betrayal with chilling precision. I stumbled back, tears blurring my vision. As I turned to flee, I collided with a waiter carrying a tray of boiling water. The scalding liquid splashed across my arm, but I didn’t cry out. Apologies rang in my ears as I dashed away, my arm burning, yet my heart felt numbed.
Once home, I locked myself in my room and dialed Dr. Morris at the Cancer Hospital. “Dr. Morris, this is Aubrey, Lucy Shaw’s daughter. I’ve decided to sign up for the overseas Phase II clinical trial program.”
There was a brief pause on the line. “But didn’t your mother want to wait for Phase III?”