Chapter 2

"She's not my fiancée," Felipe blurted out, and as he explained, he shoved me away without thinking.

I lost my balance and fell backward, slamming my lower back against the table. The glass of water on top slid off and shattered across the floor.

The shards scattered, one of them grazing Jaida's delicate ankle. She gasped softly, her voice fragile. "That hurts…"

Felipe's face changed instantly. He crouched down to check her ankle, then scooped her up in his arms. "We'll get a doctor."

Meanwhile, pain shot through my back so sharply that I couldn't move for a moment.

Inside the hospital room, their friends—eager to win favor—grabbed a dirty washbasin filled with used water and dumped it straight over my face.

Someone sneered. "Estella, don't think changing the name means you can act all high and mighty in front of Jaida. To us, and in Felipe's eyes, you're nothing but a simp."

Another one added, "Look at Jaida—she gets a tiny scratch and Felipe freaks out. You've been simping for him for years and did you ever get treated like that? You'd better walk away quietly, or you'll only embarrass yourself more."

The whole room broke into laughter, their words dripping with ridicule.

I wiped the filthy water from my face, my voice calm and steady. "I won't get in their way, because I never liked Felipe to begin with."

That single line froze everyone in place.

Just as they were about to mock me again, the door swung open. Felipe walked back in.

When his eyes landed on the mess—the broken glass, the puddles on the floor, and me drenched from head to toe—his brows furrowed sharply.

He shouted, "What the hell are you doing?"

Nobody had expected him to return, let alone to get angry for me, the supposed simp.

After an awkward silence, someone forced a laugh. "Felipe, we were just messing with Ms. Ortega, that's all."

"This is what you call messing around?" Felipe's face darkened. "Even if she's a simp, she's my simp. Nobody touches her."

Felipe continued, "Whoever laid a hand on her, slap yourself before I do it for you."

This time it was me who was stunned. 'Since when does Felipe treat me like this?'

The sound of slaps cracked through the room. Felipe draped his jacket over my shoulders and led me out.

I followed him, confused.

Just then, his phone rang—it was Jaida.

"Felipe, where did you go? I'm scared being here alone. Can you come back and stay with me?" Her voice was soft, laced with a girlish whine. Felipe hesitated, his expression wavering.

He looked at me. "Estella, can you go find a doctor on your own?"

I glanced down at my soaked dress and scraped palms, then suddenly laughed. "Of course."

Those two words were like a pardon to Felipe. He exhaled sharply in relief. "Then just head back by yourself."

I nodded. "Okay."

I didn't see a doctor. I went home instead.

Then I contacted the private investigator who had once helped me track down the donor.

The investigator said, "Ms. Ortega, I'm so sorry. We made a mistake back then. On the day of that accident, it wasn't only Felipe—his close friend Alton Nelson was also involved.

"But after his heart surgery, his family moved to Nelly City. They haven't been back in years."

His voice over the phone was heavy with apologies. I stayed silent for a long time before answering, "I understand. Please keep looking for his exact location.

"Once you find him, book me a flight right away. I want to see him as soon as possible."