Cassi blankly stared at Rick.
A month of courtship. And two more months of being hopelessly in love. That was all it took for her to accept his proposal six months ago.
Why? Because she had been madly… no, blindly… in love with him.
Rick had pampered her like a queen. He respected her boundaries. She was a reserved woman who wanted to save herself for marriage, and he made her believe he honored that.
Her brow twitched at the thought. How ironic. While she was preserving herself for their future, Rick had Anne to warm his bed behind her back.
His voice cracked slightly, and she knew he was playing every card. "You're mistaken. I heard you don't remember the past year, back when I wasn't part of your life. But I was, Cassi. I am. Please give me a chance to remind you of our love."
He reached into his coat pocket, pulled out a small velvet box, and opened it to reveal the engagement ring.
"This ring… I gave it to you when I proposed. You said yes. The plan was for you to graduate, and then we'd get married."
His eyes lifted to hers, pleading. "I am your fiance. Not Uncle Ezekiel. You told your grandfather NO the moment we became official."
The room went quiet. From the corner of her eye, Cassi could see Anne, standing stiff, silent, lips pressed together like she was about to break a tooth.
"You said you gave this to me?" she asked, eyeing the ring he held out. Her voice was calm, but her raised brow was sharp. "Then why am I not wearing it?"
She remembered that ring. Vividly. She was still wearing it before the accident. So where the hell had it gone?
Her gaze flicked from Rick… to Anne.
Anne stepped forward, wearing that same sweet, supportive smile.
"It's true, Cassi. You said yes to him. We were all so happy for you," she said gently, like she wasn't stabbing Cassi with every word. Then she added, "As for the ring… I took it off when they rushed you to the emergency room. They said all jewelry had to be removed. I gave the ring back to Rick for safekeeping."
The reassurance in her voice made Cassi's stomach twist.
Disgusting.
These two… they really had a few screws loose if they thought they could keep this farce going.
But then again… looking back at how gullible she'd once been, it made perfect sense. She had played right into their hands.
What else are they hiding aside from the cheating?
Her mind kept circling back to one thing, one moment that still didn't make sense. That night. The bouquet of flowers. The card key. The handwritten note, Rick's handwriting, asking her to meet him in that hotel room.
A room where she found him. Naked. Entangled with Anne.
But why would Rick invite her to walk in on that? He wouldn't. So someone forged it. Lured her there deliberately.
But who?
Her eyes drifted slowly back to Anne.
The way Anne stood close to Rick. The way she smiled, so carefully measured.
'Was it you?' Cassi wondered silently, her gaze unreadable.
A beat passed.
Anne met her stare, still smiling.
Cassi smiled back. Sweet. Soft. Exactly the way Anne expected her to.
"Hmm." Cassi hummed thoughtfully as she stared at the ring. "I can't accept this anymore," she said quietly, her voice calm but firm.
She looked up at Rick and added, "I don't really remember you… and not the way you say I should. Like I said, I'm already engaged and that's to Ezekiel."
Rick's face fell.
"For now, my priority is recovery," she added. "I'll deal with the lost memories after I get stronger."
That line, after, made Rick's eyes light up with sudden hope.
Then she turned to Anne. "Can you help me back to my room?" Anne quickly stepped forward, eager to assist.
But Rick was faster, gripping the wheelchair handles like he couldn't let go. "I'll do it, Cassi," he said, his voice soft. "Let me take care of you."
Cassi didn't argue. She simply gave a small nod. She let them both believe what they wanted to believe. Let them cling to the version of her they thought they still controlled.
But inside, her mind was spinning. 'How far will you go, Rick? And Anne… what's your next move?'
"I'm sorry to interrupt," a calm but firm voice cut in from behind, "but I'll be taking her back to her room now."
Cassi turned her head just as the woman stepped forward. It was the same nurse from earlier.
"I'm Lydia," she continued, her tone polite but unyielding. "The private nurse assigned by Boss Ezekiel Hastings to take care of Miss Cassi, starting today."
She looked straight at Rick and added coolly, "Boss gave clear instructions, except for family, no one is allowed near her longer than ten minutes unless it's an emergency. So if you'll excuse me…"
Without waiting for a reply, Lydia stepped behind the wheelchair and practically nudged Rick aside. Then, more quietly but loud enough for only Rick to hear, she muttered, "Boss said that if you're stubborn… you already know what'll happen."
Rick stiffened. He didn't move, didn't protest. His face turned pale as he stood frozen in place, lips pressed tight.
Cassi swallowed hard, taken aback.
'How long was she there? Ten minutes?'
She hadn't even noticed Lydia standing in the corner of the room. The entire time, watching everything unfold between her, Rick, and Anne.
Ezekiel sent her?
The thought sent an odd ripple down her spine.
As Lydia smoothly pushed the wheelchair out of the therapy room, Cassi finally found her voice. "I'm sorry… what's your name again?" she asked, glancing up at the woman.
"You can call me Lydia, Ma'am Cassi," the nurse replied with a bright, professional smile.
"Anything you need from now on, just ask, whatever it is. I'm at your disposal, our future Mrs. Hastings." Lydia flashed a teasing grin. "Ah, or should I say Boss Lady, since we all call the younger Mr. Hastings 'Boss' around here?"
Cassi's cheeks warmed at the title. Future Mrs. Hastings. Lady Boss.
She didn't know how to feel about it. It was clear now… Ezekiel was taking things seriously. Appointing a private nurse just for her wasn't a small gesture. It meant something. And yet… the part that tugged at her most was wondering why.
Was it out of duty? A show of control? Or something more? Was he… actually concerned?
Her heart tightened.
Then why hasn't he come back? It had been three days. Three long, quiet days.
Not a visit. Not a call. She honestly thought he'd show up the very next day, demanding answers, asking why she said what she did… why she kissed him in front of everyone like it was real.
But he never came…
She hadn't expected the silence. She didn't know how to interpret it.
And somehow, against her better judgment… she found herself waiting.
Waiting to see him. Waiting to talk. Waiting to understand what they were now. Because if he was going to take this seriously, she needed to know what exactly he was serious about.
And if he wasn't coming back… why did it feel like something was missing?