Chapter 2

I was rushed to the hospital.

My parents told me, "Edward and his parents are on their way over. Let's come up with a game plan, quick."

I crossed my arms and let out a cold laugh. "If he's already knocked someone up, I don't want him. But since the Grants are the ones who screwed us over, so, whatever happens next, they brought it on themselves."

I didn't even have to think twice before laying out my plan.

My parents both burst out laughing, and Bruce said, "Anyone who crosses you must have the worst luck ever."

Well, I would just take that as a compliment.

Bruce got a call saying the Grants had just arrived downstairs.

"Quick, quick!" My mom, Susan Shaw, hurried over and helped me lie down.

Once I was settled, I asked, "Mom, do I look sick enough? I don't want to blow my cover."

I even went out of my way to make my makeup look extra pale and pathetic.

Susan gave my lips a quick once-over. "Just don't eat anything, and no one will suspect a thing. And whatever you do, don't lick your lips—your makeup will smudge and give you away."

I nodded again and again, then closed my eyes tight.

Susan sat by my bed, Bruce flopped onto the couch, both of them letting out sigh after sigh.

Not long after, Edward and his parents showed up.

His mother, Margaret Grant, asked, "How's Stella doing?"

Susan shushed her. "Keep your voice down."

Then she shot Edward a glare and snapped, "Seriously, what were you thinking? Knocking up some girl is bad enough, but that woman had to come here and cause drama right when Stella was about to close the deal. Now the whole contract blew up, and with your cheating on top of that, Stella just..."

Susan burst into tears.

Margaret scolded Edward while apologizing, "It's all Edward's fault. Once Stella wakes up, I'll make him apologize to her!"

"Go on, apologize to Mr. Shaw and Mrs. Shaw right now!" Edward's dad, Richard Grant, ordered.

Right after, Edward's voice rang out. "Mr. Shaw, Mrs. Shaw, I'm sorry."

Just then, I "stirred awake" and mumbled, "So noisy."

"Stella, you're awake!" Margaret rushed over. "Thank goodness. It's all Edward's fault..."

She dragged Edward to my bedside. "Apologize now!"

Edward stared at my "pale" face for a long time, then sighed, "Mrs. Shaw, Mr. Shaw, Mom, Dad, could you step out? I'd like to talk to Stella alone."

Susan pleaded, "Edward, Stella's my only daughter. I can't bear to see her hurt. Please don't do this to her again."

Saying that, she sobbed and was led out by Bruce.

I bit my lip hard to hold back a laugh.

Were they laying it on a bit thick?

Then, Edward's parents also left the room.

Edward lent me a hand to sit up. "How're you holding up? Geez, it's just some woman knocked up with my kid. No need to go ballistic over it, right?"

In fact, I was fuming because his womanizing had screwed up the contract I was on the verge of finalizing.

But I couldn't say that out loud. The tears I'd been saving up finally rolled down my cheeks, right on schedule. "You got another woman pregnant! How could I not be upset? Edward, we're about to get engaged! I love you so much—how could you do this to me?"

Edward let out a long sigh, then whipped out a black card and handed it to me.

I fought the urge to grab it on the spot, with tears streaming down my face as I asked, "Why are you handing me your black card?"

Edward locked eyes with me. "This is the only thing I can offer you now."

I swallowed hard. "What do you mean?"

"Stella, we've grown up together. I can't lie to you," Edward said, taking a deep breath before continuing, "Nina's not just anyone to me—she's the woman I truly love."

He repeated, voice unwavering, "I'm in love with Nina. I want to be with her."

"And what about me?" I cried, my voice trembling, "Everyone online knows we're supposed to get engaged. I've spent weeks planning this huge party, and people in our circle won't shut up about it. Now you just tell me you love someone else and toss me a black card like that's supposed to fix everything?"

I snatched the black card from his hand and waved it in his face. "You really think this card can erase all the pain you've caused me?"

I covered my mouth, sobbing, and quietly tucked the black card away. "Just go! I never want to see you again!"

Edward didn't leave right away. He just stood there for a while, looking at me. Finally, he said, "Get some rest," and walked out.

His parents were waiting in the lounge outside and gave him a serious earful. It wasn't until my parents stepped in and said, "Stella needs to rest right now," that they finally left.

Once we were sure everyone was gone, my parents came back in and asked, "So, what did you get?"

I pulled out the black card.

Bruce clearly wasn't impressed. "All he offers is a lousy black card to make you back off?"

"Right now, I'm playing the role of the jilted fiancée—too heartbroken to even ask for more. Sure, I wanted a business project, but he didn't offer, so what could I do?"

Who gives a darn about this black card?

It was not like I didn't have one myself.

But since Edward gave it to me, I'd just keep it.

"Stella's right. If we want anything else, we'll have to ask for it ourselves," Susan said.

We all sat down together, plotting our next steps down to the last detail.

But it all depended on how the Grant family played their cards. If they weren't afraid to cross us, we'd just have to switch up our strategy.

Anyway, since Edward did me dirty, he had no one to blame but himself if we milked him for all he was worth.

Bruce always said our whole family's a tough crowd—he meant it as a compliment, and honestly, he was right.