I chased after her, but she kept pulling her arm free, anger rolling off her.

At a red light, she finally stopped. When she looked at me, her face was tight with resentment.

"Kyle Remington, that Rolex costs more than you'll make in your entire life. Who do you think you are?"

I froze.

Her lips kept moving, but I couldn't hear a thing.

This wasn't the Chloe I knew.

The old Chloe would never talk to me like that.

Guess the engagement made her impatient to drop me.

The light flipped green. Horns snapped me back.

"What if your Remington contact... is me?" I said.

Her eyes widened—then she scoffed. "Kyle, just 'cause your last name's Remington doesn't mean you're part of that family. Go buy me the same watch right now, and I'll forgive you."

I looked down, laughed, then shook my head.

She turned and walked off without a second thought.

I went the other way.

I was done.

After handling some stuff with my parents, I decided to leave Arlencia for a bit. Clear my head.

By chance, a sales associate from a brand I liked told me they just got new luggage. I walked in—and there was Chloe, carefully picking out bags.

I kept my head down, swiped my card, told the clerk to send the suitcase to my place.

She spotted me.

Stepped right in front of me, chin tipped up. "Kyle, here to apologize? Pay for this bag and I'll forgive you."

She pointed at it.

Nice design. Good for travel.

I liked it.

I nodded and handed over my card. A second later, the receipt was in my hand.

Like I'd just passed a test, she brushed a quick kiss against my cheek.

"Babe, I knew you wouldn't let me stay mad."

I gave a faint smile. Said I had work to handle. She didn't walk me out.

When I got home, the bag was already on the coffee table. Lucy looked at me.

"I'll use it."

Around eleven, just as I was about to sleep, Chloe texted:

[Babe, I'm at the hospital. The doctor said it got worse. I really want to see you.]

She sent a photo—lying in a hospital bed, face pale.

I zoomed in.

The foundation around her lips wasn't even blended.

Terrible.

[I'm coming now.]

After replying, I got up and headed to the hospital.

Chloe lay in bed, looking like she was on her last breath. The second she saw me, her eyes went red.

I had to admit—nice acting.

"Chloe, are you okay?"

She didn't answer. Just broke into a harsh coughing fit. I covered my nose and mouth.

It went on for a while. I patted her back, half there.

Finally, she stopped and grabbed my hands.

"Babe, I might only have two days left. I won't be able to make money for you anymore." Her eyes filled with tears.

I shook my head fast.

"My Remington contact's been really good to me. He gave me this chance—I want to thank him. Can you help me?"

I paused, then nodded. "Don't worry. I'll stay with you these next two days. I'll handle whatever needs handling."

My nose stung. Two tears slipped down.

She wiped them gently, leaned in, and hugged me. Her heartbeat was steady and strong.

I tried not to laugh.

Quiet, I asked, "What did your contact actually do for you?"

The second I asked, she pushed me back. Something flickered in her eyes.

After a long pause, she said, "He knew I was sick and sent me money. And before that, he helped me hit my sales... so... so..."

I smiled, soft.

I didn't remember sending her anything.

Helping her hit her numbers, though—that part was real.

"So you want to thank him properly."

"Yes, yes." She nodded fast.

Looking at her now, I felt stupid. Guess I'm a terrible judge of character.

I followed the address she gave me and pulled up to a mansion.

The owner?

Not some stranger.

My older brother—Gideon Remington.