Chapter 5

I woke up to the smell of antiseptic and the soft beeping of a machine. A hospital. Again.

Karyn was sitting in a chair by my bed, filing her nails. She looked up when she saw my eyes open.

"Oh, good, you're awake," she said, her voice dripping with fake concern. "You really gave us a scare last night. You should know your limits, Ember."

I turned my head away, staring at the blank white wall. I couldn't stand to look at her.

The door opened, and Chace walked in, carrying a container of my favorite congee. He moved with a familiar ease, setting up the tray table, opening the container, his actions practiced and smooth.

A wave of nausea hit me, and it had nothing to do with the alcohol poisoning. Seeing him act so caring, so normal, after what he' d done, was sickening.

I remembered all the times he' d taken care of me when I was sick. He would stay up all night, holding my hand, making me this exact same congee because it was the only thing I could keep down.

That Chace was a memory. A phantom.

We could never go back.

"Karyn was just worried about you," he said, holding a spoonful of congee to my lips. He was defending her. Of course, he was. "You shouldn't be so fragile, Ember. It was just a game."

I opened my mouth and ate the congee, my expression blank. I needed my strength.

Chace seemed surprised by my lack of protest. He probably expected tears or accusations. He didn't understand that I was past that. I was just... empty.

Suddenly, Karyn started to sniffle. She dabbed at her eyes with a tissue. "Chace, I just got a call from my mother. That horrible woman is making trouble for my family again."

Chace immediately turned his full attention to her. "What woman? What happened?"

"It's that homewrecker who almost ruined my family years ago," Karyn sobbed. "Her daughter is still trying to claim a part of my family's inheritance. Can you believe the nerve?"

My hand, holding the spoon, trembled. I knew exactly who she was talking about. My mother. The brilliant artist who had been branded a homewrecker by Karyn's mother, a lie that had led to her stress-induced illness and eventual death. And I was the daughter she was talking about.

"Don't worry, Karyn," Chace said, his voice hardening. He was furious on her behalf. "I won't let anyone hurt you or your family. I'll take care of it."

He promised to support her, to protect her from the "homewrecker's daughter." He was promising to destroy me.

He led a still-sobbing Karyn out of the room, murmuring comforting words.

I heard her voice from the hallway, laced with venom. "I just hate those kinds of women, trying to steal what isn't theirs."

"I know," Chace' s voice was cold. "Don't worry. I won't let a woman like that get away with it."

I put down the bowl. The irony was so thick I could choke on it. He, who was keeping me as a mistress while engaged to another woman, was going to punish a "homewrecker."

I almost laughed. I pictured their faces when they found out the truth. That Karyn's mother was the real adulterer, and my mother was the victim. That I was the long-lost daughter of one of the city's most powerful families.

The thought gave me a sliver of satisfaction.

Chace came back into the room alone. His demeanor was all business.

"There's a charity auction tonight," he announced. "It's important for the merger. You'll come with us."

"Us" meant him and Karyn. He wanted me to be their third wheel.

Normally, I would have refused. But then he added, "The Warren family will be there. And so will a lot of the old-money families. The head of your... your father's family, is expected to attend."

This was it. My chance.

"Okay," I said. "I'll go."

He looked surprised again, then pleased. "Good. You're finally learning to be sensible."

I lowered my eyes to hide the coldness in them.

He had no idea. My heart was already dead. A dead heart can' t be controlled.

As soon as he left, appeased by my obedience, I picked up my phone. I sent another message to the number for Keith Mosley.

"The Warren family will be at the Grand Lux charity auction tonight. I will be there too."

The reply was immediate.

"Understood. I will be there."

I looked out the window. The sky was a dull, unforgiving gray. Just like my life had been. But soon, that was going to change.