Chapter 2

Jennifer POV

The next morning, I woke to the sunlight.

Kevin was propped against the headboard, on a FaceTime call with Sarah. His profile, bathed in the morning glow, seemed softer than I'd ever seen it.

"Yacht party? Okay, I'll be there." He answered in a low voice, a smile playing on his lips.

The call ended, and the softness on his face vanished, replaced by his usual cold demeanor.

"Go handle the discharge papers," he commanded.

My heart tightened. I instinctively pleaded, "The doctor said you need a few more days of rest..."

"What?" Kevin shot me a cold glance. "Are you not listening to me now?"

His threatening gaze sent a chill down my spine. I was terrified he'd cancel the wedding in a fit of pique.

I could only obey.

"Yes, I'll go right away."

That evening, at the exclusive yacht club at the private marina.

Sarah had organized the party to celebrate Kevin's miraculous survival.

As soon as they arrived, Sarah, champagne flute in hand, greeted him with a beaming smile, though her eyes hid a subtle sharpness.

"Kevin, you're finally here! You're so late, you deserve a penalty."

No sooner had she spoken than waiters pushed in a dining cart laden with dozens of exquisite French dishes.

My gaze swept over the food, and my heart sank.

Several dishes were heavily garnished with crushed peanuts. Kevin was severely allergic to peanuts; if he accidentally ingested them, the consequences would be dire.

"You have to try a bite of each dish to show you're truly sorry," Sarah cooed, offering a silver fork to Kevin.

Kevin, knowing it was a trap, glanced at Sarah, then actually reached for the fork.

"Don't!"

Without thinking, I snatched the fork from his hand.

Under everyone's astonished gazes, I straightened my back and declared, every word clear, "I'll eat them for him."

Kevin froze.

Sarah's smile faltered, then turned playful again. "Miss Jennifer truly loves Kevin, doesn't she?"

A ripple of laughter spread around us.

I ignored them, picked up the fork, and under everyone's watchful eyes, tasted every single dish.

I have a mild seafood allergy, and these dishes contained a lot of shrimp and crab. For the sake of the wedding, I had to endure it.

Next, guests, for various reasons, kept bringing new dishes.

"This one's a chef's special, Kevin, try it?"

"This white truffle was flown in specially from Italy, a welcome gift for Kevin!"

Each time, I ate them in his place, my expression unchanging.

I didn't know how much I'd eaten, only that my stomach was churning, and my throat burned.

Finally, red rashes began to erupt on my skin, itching agonizingly.

I made an excuse and rushed to the restroom, vomiting until nothing but bile remained.

The woman in the mirror was deathly pale, her lips bloodless.

I splashed cold water on my face, forcing myself to calm down.

I couldn't leave him out there alone.

What if Sarah tricked him again, and he touched an allergen? What about the wedding a month from now?

I couldn't bear the thought. I quickly tidied myself, endured the discomfort, and hurried back to the party.

As I approached, I heard Sarah's mocking voice.

"Kevin, look, Jennifer truly loves you. She'd risk her life for you."

Kevin's voice held a hint of subtle smugness.

"Naturally," he chuckled. "Why else would I marry her?"

Hearing that, my heart settled a little.

At least he still remembered the wedding.

But the next second, Kevin's words plunged me back into despair.

He turned to Sarah, his voice low, with a hint of a question, "Sarah, is our agreement still on? If you just..."

"Oh, what are you talking about?"

Sarah smiled, cutting him off. She pulled a stack of elegant invitations from her clutch and began handing them out.

"Everyone, I'm getting married next month too. You absolutely have to come."

She smiled beautifully as she handed out the invitations, finally placing one directly in front of Kevin.

"Kevin, you and Miss Jennifer absolutely must come."

Kevin's face darkened, turning as black as a storm-laden sky.

He stared fixedly at the gilded invitation, which clearly bore Sarah's name and Anthony's name.

Anthony was the heir to another prominent family in the city, and Kevin's long-standing rival.

The air in the party grew cold.

Kevin's anger twisted into a cold laugh. He snatched the invitation, tossed it to the ground without a glance, and stormed off.

I hurried after him.

I followed him into his car. Through the window, I watched Sarah being carefully escorted into another sports car by her fiancé, Anthony.

The sight stung my eyes.