Lena paced the length of the veranda, her bare feet cold against the marble floor as the wind whispered through the curtains. She clutched her phone tightly, staring at the screen for the hundredth time that day.
No response.
She hadn't heard from Audrey in days. Not a text, not a call, not even the usual dry sarcasm in her inbox. Her chest tightened with each passing hour.
Clara appeared from the hallway with a tray of tea, her presence quiet but observant.
Lena sat down in the sitting room with a heavy sigh. "Clara," she said, her voice strained, "do you mind if I use your phone? My brother's been ignoring me… or maybe avoiding me. I just need to be sure."
Clara blinked. "Of course, ma'am. I'll get it right away." She turned swiftly and hurried toward the maids' quarters.
Before Lena could sink too deep into her spiraling thoughts, the front door creaked open.
Christian stepped inside, his usual confidence slightly subdued.
"Hey, Lena," he greeted with a small smile.
She rose instantly. "Christian. How was Paris?"
"Oh, it's Paris," he said with a short laugh. "Nothing ever goes wrong in that country." But then he looked at her more closely. "You look… troubled."
Lena rubbed her arms. "It's Audrey. He's not answering. I thought maybe I was being too clingy, like always. But now…" She hesitated. "It doesn't feel right anymore."
Christian's smile faded. He said nothing.
"I already asked Clara for her phone," Lena continued, glancing toward the hallway, "but since you're here, maybe you could help me reach someone? Anyone close to him? I'm really starting to worry."
Still, Christian remained silent.
Lena narrowed her eyes. "You're avoiding the question."
He opened his mouth, then closed it again.
"You came straight here, didn't you?" she asked, voice rising. "Why? Did something happen to my brother?"
Christian raised his hands. "No. No, Lena, it's not what you think—"
Clara reappeared but lingered at the doorway, holding her phone yet hesitant to speak.
Lena took a sharp breath. Her hands trembled. "I need to talk to Ethan," she muttered.
As if on cue, the door opened again. Ethan stepped in, removing his coat, his face unreadable.
"Ethan," she said urgently, eyes wet, voice rising, "please tell me the truth. Did something happen to Audrey?"
He froze. "Where did you hear that?"
"I've been calling him for three days. No response. At first, I thought he was just being difficult—but now I'm terrified something's happened."
She moved toward him. "If something's wrong and no one told me…"
Ethan sighed, rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Lena—"
"Tell me!" she yelled. "Is he dead?"
"No!" Ethan's voice was loud, but steady. "No. He's alive. But... a week ago, his heart stopped."
Lena gasped and staggered backward.
Ethan quickly continued, "The doctor called me. One of the arteries supplying blood to his new heart ruptured unexpectedly. He crashed. They tried to revive him—multiple times. It took a miracle."
Lena clutched the edge of the sofa, her knees buckling.
"He was given another heart. He's been under strict observation ever since, responding well," Ethan said. "I called the doctors this morning. He's stable, just unreachable. His phone's off."
"You knew?!" Lena screamed. "And you didn't tell me?!"
"I didn't want to worry you unless it was necessary," Ethan said softly.
Lena snapped. "Not necessary? He's my brother! I gave up everything for him! This marriage—this house—this entire arrangement—it was all so I could be close to him!"
She broke down, sobbing as Christian stepped forward, unsure whether to intervene.
Ethan raised a hand, stopping him. "Let her speak," he murmured.
"You promised he'd be better after the surgery," Lena said in a broken voice. "You promised me, Ethan."
She sank to the floor, overwhelmed, tears flowing freely.
"And all this…" she whispered. "This fake marriage—this lie—I only agreed because of him. And you kept me in the dark."
Ethan hesitated, then walked over and gently patted her back.
Clara stood frozen near the entrance, trembling.
Fake marriage?
She had heard more than she should have. Her legs felt like jelly. She couldn't move.
"Clara," Ethan said suddenly, not turning. "You can go. I know you're there."
She nodded and disappeared, biting her lip.
Lena's sobs quieted. Ethan helped her up and led her to the bedroom. He offered her a handkerchief.
She wiped her eyes and tried to return it.
"Keep it," he said gently.
"I didn't mean to lash out," she whispered.
"You're allowed to," he said. "You deserve clarity. Especially about your brother."
She looked up at him. "And Clara?"
"She's bound by NDA," Ethan said. "I'll handle it."
He paused. "We should arrange your visit to see Audrey."
Lena nodded faintly. Her mind was a whirlwind.
Then she looked at him, her eyes searching. "And the contract?"
Ethan tilted his head. "What about it?"
"I said a lot of things to you."
"And were they true?" he asked. "About how you feel about me?"
She blinked. "You can be selfish sometimes…"
"No 'but,' Lena," he said. "You don't need to cushion the truth. I can take it."
She looked away, unsure of what she felt now. She had just fallen apart in front of him, and he hadn't flinched.
"The contract still stands," he said, "unless you're thinking otherwise. And you know what that means."
Lena stared at him.
"I'm not backing out," she said quietly. "Not yet."
As Ethan stepped out of Lena's room, Christian lingered behind, arms folded, a sly grin dancing on his lips.
"You know," he said casually, falling into step beside Ethan, "for a guy who treats feelings like a virus, you handled that emotional meltdown surprisingly well."
Ethan said nothing, adjusting his cufflink.
Christian chuckled. "Should I start calling you Mr. Empathy now? Or has Lena unlocked a hidden feature in your system?"
Ethan shot him a dry look but kept walking.
Christian leaned in slightly, voice lower now. "Just don't go glitching on us, yeah? Because from where I'm standing… it's starting to look like you actually care."
He patted Ethan on the back and strolled away whistling.
Ethan paused for a second, jaw tight, then walked off silently—leaving readers to wonder:
Is Christian joking… or has he seen something Ethan hasn't admitted yet—even to himself?