Chapter 5

Jennifer POV

The moment Kevin demanded an answer, my entire body tensed.

Despite my severe illness, I forced a smile and lied without thinking.

"William is my brother. We were inseparable. He passed away many years ago."

Kevin stared at my face, his gaze sharp, trying to find a crack in my expression.

He seemed angry. He walked out, and the door slammed shut, leaving me alone in the room.

Only then did I finally relax, slumping back onto the bed.

Just a little more.

A few days later, just as I began to recover, Kevin took me to a gala.

When we arrived, I realized it was Sarah's birthday celebration.

The ballroom was magnificent, filled with high society.

As soon as Kevin arrived, he left me behind, walking straight to the evening's main attraction.

Sarah, in her couture gown, looked absolutely stunning, like a princess.

Kevin stood by her side, shielding her from unwanted attention, adjusting her dress, attending to her every need flawlessly.

I became the laughingstock of the entire event.

Guests intentionally or unintentionally avoided me, isolating me in a corner, as if I were something dirty.

I was content to be ignored. I found an inconspicuous corner and watched the whole charade with a detached gaze.

The gift-giving segment began, and the atmosphere grew lively.

Kevin presented a velvet box. When he opened it, a gasp swept through the room.

It was a necklace custom-made with rare pink diamonds, sparkling brilliantly under the lights, priceless.

Sarah gasped in surprise, her eyes turning to Kevin, as she sweetly said, "Kevin, you're too extravagant."

Kevin's face showed a faint smile as he personally fastened it around her neck.

The whispers of the crowd filtered into my ears.

"Did you see that? Kevin only has Sarah in his heart."

"So what's Jennifer? A lovesick fool throwing herself at him. So embarrassing."

"Exactly, she just shamelessly latched onto an engagement. Has Kevin even looked at her properly? Pathetic."

The words were sharp as needles, but I paid them no mind.

I picked up a glass of champagne, raising it toward Kevin and Sarah's direction, silently mouthing a blessing.

As long as Kevin didn't publicly cancel the engagement, he could give Sarah all the gold and silver, even his heart, and I wouldn't care.

I never loved him anyway.