She touched my elbow lightly and smiled without warmth.
“You’ve moved very quickly,” she said. “My father has always enjoyed rescuing strays.”
I took a sip of champagne. “Then I hope this family is finally house-trained.”
She blinked. “Excuse me?”
Rick appeared beside me. “Angela, if you can’t manage decency for one evening, please be silent.”
Her jaw tightened. “I was only welcoming her.”
“No,” he said calmly. “You were auditioning for my disappointment. As usual.”
She exhaled sharply and walked away.
We drove to the estate in silence.
I barely spoke.
Rick didn’t push.
In the bedroom, I stood in front of the mirror, staring at myself in that dress.
I didn’t look beautiful.
I looked arranged. Expensive.
Temporary.
The door opened softly behind me.
Rick stepped inside, closed it, and the room fell quiet.
Then he said:
“Layla, now that you’re my wife… I can finally tell you the truth. It’s too late to walk away.”
My hands went cold.
“Rick… what does that mean?”
He looked at me. “It means you were wrong about why I asked you.”
I turned fully toward him. “Then tell me.”
He didn’t move closer.
“I am dying, Layla.”
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