Chapter 2

That birthday party was the worst event of my life.

Gus strolled into the grand hall with Joanna by his side, her white dress flowing elegantly around her. He announced loudly, "Genevieve, let's break off our engagement. I've found someone I truly love."

I stood there frozen, utterly dumbfounded.

All of my parents' business associates were present, there to celebrate me. Knowing I was a fake heiress, they had thrown this extravagant party to prove that, despite not being their biological daughter, my parents still cared for me and that my status would remain unchanged.

But Gus had shattered all of that.

Under the glaring lights, whispers and snickers surrounded me like a swarm.

"After all, she's just a phony. So what if the Clarks acknowledge her? The Hardings don't."

"I think the Clarks went all out for this birthday bash just to silence the critics. They didn't want to be labeled as cold-hearted for rejecting their daughter after raising her for twenty-two years."

"There's no real affection there."

"I think we should butter up the true heiress instead."

I wished I could bury my head in the ground.

How had things developed so far out of control?

I couldn't recall how the chaotic scene had concluded. I only remembered that from that day on, Gus's attitude toward me had completely changed.

"You're not even a real Clark. What right do you have to ask me to honor our engagement?"

I managed a hollow smile. The signs had been there all along.

That night, the system had asked if I wanted to abandon my pursuit.

If I quit, I could return to my original world, but without a healthy body—terminally ill with cancer, destined to die at any moment.

I refused.

Not only because the system promised that succeeding in my pursuit would grant me a healthy body, but more importantly, because I had already lost my heart in this game of love disguised as a mission.

Yes, I loved Gus deeply.

But right now, the pain was overwhelming. It hurt so much that I didn't want to love him anymore.

With that thought, my body felt lighter. I floated in midair and saw a sports car speeding toward me, pulling over on the shoulder.

Suzie jumped out and rushed over, panic in her eyes as she reached my side.

When she saw me, covered in blood, she completely lost control. She shook my body desperately, shouting for me to wake up.

But I was motionless, my eyes forever closed.

Suzie cried until she was nearly breathless, yet she managed to summon the strength to take me to the hospital.

Now, she was the only thing I couldn't bear to let go of.

The doctor quickly declared me dead, not even attempting to revive me.

I couldn't bear to see her so heartbroken, so I drifted away, only to find myself next to Gus.

His head was bleeding, but he still held Joanna tightly in one arm while brandishing a steel pipe to fend off a group of thugs.

I had never let him get hurt before; I always stood in front of him, protecting him.

Now, standing on the sidelines, I finally realized that it was the one being protected who received all the love.

"Genevieve, you're amazing! You can take on ten men all by yourself."

At that moment, my heart swelled with pride at the compliment, forgetting that he had never cared about me getting hurt.

As the dozen or so thugs charged, Gus found himself surrounded, but even then, he made sure not to let Joanna come to harm.

In the end, he managed to drive the thugs away.

Joanna emerged from behind Gus like a little rabbit, her face shining with admiration as she cupped his face in her hands.

"Gus, you're so incredibly cool! I feel safe when I'm with you."

Joanna would always be like this—completely helpless, relying on Gus, and then gazing at him with adoration, praising him for his bravery.

Under this onslaught of attention, Gus gradually started to crumble.

But this time, he didn't gently ruffle Joanna's hair as he used to.

He simply stood there, silently staring at his own wounds.