Chapter 1

When I had a 104°F fever, I texted my boyfriend: [Can you get me some fever meds?]

He replied: [I'm on a business trip.]

But half an hour later, a photo of him appeared on social media, smiling as he helped his childhood sweetheart put on a pair of Cartier earrings, candlelight glowing on their profiles.

Later, he got down on his knees and tried to explain himself. "She's just like a sister to me."

I took my boss's hand and smiled. "It's okay. I found myself a brother who cares about me too."

*****

I was curled up on the couch, burning up like I was about to catch fire.

The thermometer on my forehead read 104°F. The world in front of me looked like a watercolor painting left out in the rain—everything was smudged and blurry.

My fingers trembled as I called Jamie Stanton, my boyfriend. It rang for a long time before he picked up.

"Hello? Sandra?" Jamie's voice finally came through. In the background, I could hear soft violin music and the clinking of silverware.

"Jamie... I have a fever... 104°F..." I tried to keep my voice from sounding too hoarse. "Can you maybe… pick up some Tylenol for me?"

There was a short pause on the line.

"Right now? The company just sent me on a last-minute trip. I'm already on the way to the airport." Jamie's voice was low, like he was trying not to be overheard. "Can't you get it delivered? Be good."

Right before the call cut off, I distinctly heard a girl's voice chirp, "Jamie!" like she'd just won a prize.

I stared at the darkened screen, tears and sweat sliding down my cheeks.

We'd been together five years. Jamie had always been like this—work came first. Then Louise Reese. Me? I probably didn't even make the top five.

Thirty minutes later, as I forced myself to order medicine through an app, a notification popped up in my feed.

Louise had posted a selfie—flawless makeup, that same smug little smile—showing off a pair of shiny new Cartier earrings.

The caption read: [You're the best! Never fails to celebrate my birthday every year—rain or shine. That's true love.] It even had a heart emoji at the end.

The location tag showed they were at Shore Heights, the most expensive upscale restaurant in the city.

My fingers froze on the screen.

A business trip? Airport? Had Jamie lied?

My body moved before my brain did.

I threw on a coat and stumbled out the door.

Shore Heights was only fifteen minutes away. The cab driver looked worried, asking repeatedly if I wanted to go to the hospital instead.

"Miss, you really don't look well…" the driver said, concern in his voice.

"I'm fine. Almost there…" I replied weakly.

Finally, I arrived. Through the huge glass windows at Shore Heights, I saw them instantly.

Jamie was wearing the deep blue suit I bought him just last month. He was gently putting the other earring on Louise, his movements gentle.

Louise looked like a pampered cat—completely satisfied. Her hand, with freshly painted red nails, rested on his tie—the same tie I ironed for him yesterday.

I stood outside the window, shaking. I didn't know if it was from the fever or just pure rage.

Then Louise looked up. She saw me instantly. Her eyes widened for a split second before she smiled smugly. She leaned in and whispered something in Jamie's ear.

Jamie whipped around. Shock flashed to panic across his face.

He shoved his chair back and ran out after me but I was already walking away.

"Sandra! Let me explain!" Jamie pleaded.

Everything started spinning. My ears were ringing.

Jamie's footsteps were getting closer. Right before he could reach me, my legs gave out.

Just before everything went dark, I felt the cold rain hit my skin and heard Jamie calling my name, as if it were coming from underwater, muffled and distant.

*****

The sharp sting of antiseptic assaulted my nostrils. I opened my leaden eyes to see the cold, sterile white ceiling of a hospital room.

A needle was stuck in my arm, the fluid dripping slowly into my veins.

"You're awake?" Jamie's voice came from my right.

I turned my head with effort. He was sitting by the bed, holding onto his phone, brow slightly furrowed.

He was still in yesterday's deep blue suit, his tie loosened, with stubble shadowing his jaw—clearly, he hadn't slept all night.

"What happened to me?" My throat felt like it was lined with sandpaper.

"You passed out from a high fever. Acute pneumonia," Jamie said, setting his phone aside and pouring me a cup of water. "The doctor said if you'd gotten here thirty minutes later, it would've been serious."

I took small sips. The water soothed my burning throat.

And then it all came back in flashes—the fever; the post on social media; Shore Heights; Louise's smug smile.

I began, "Yesterday... you and Louise..."

"Louise's dad had a last-minute emergency. He asked me to take his place at her birthday dinner," Jamie cut in quickly, as if rehearsed. "The earrings were from her family. I was just delivering them."

He looked right at me, eyes dark and unreadable.

He always gave me this look when I questioned how close he was with Louise, like I was the one imagining things. It was as if I was the problem.

"Then why say you were on a business trip?" I retorted.

"I didn't want you to overthink." Jamie sighed and reached out like he was going to touch my hair, but stopped halfway and fiddled with my IV line instead. "You've just been really sensitive lately, Sandra. Louise and I grew up together. If we were going to be together, it would've happened years ago."

I closed my eyes. My lashes trembled.

Jamie sounded reasonable, but something about it still felt all wrong.