Chapter 3
Maisy clenched the burnt scraps of the love letters in her palm, the leftover heat stinging her skin.
“It’s nothing, just burning some useless old stuff,” she said quietly.-
Patrick frowned, eyeing the charred remains as if something about them nagged at his memory. Before he could ask, Melinda’s voice rang out from the hallway.
“Mr. Huffman, are you coming to the party or not? If you don’t hurry, I’m leaving without you!”
Maisy looked up. “What party?”
“I want to introduce her to my friends,” Patrick replied after a pause. “But she insists she’s only here as your nurse, so she’ll only go if you do.”
“Maisy, just come with us, okay?” he urged.
It felt like someone had slammed a hammer into Maisy’s chest. She forced a bitter smile. “Patrick, what am I to you, really?”
He hesitated, caught off guard. After a long silence, he finally said, “Maisy, I’ve told you before. I’ve never met a girl as hard to win over as her. I’m interested, that’s all. Don’t be jealous. Once I’ve had my fun, I’ll come back to you. We’ll settle down like before.”
Maisy closed her eyes. Her heart didn’t even feel pain anymore–it was beyond that.
In the end, Patrick dragged her along to the party anyway.
On the drive over, Melinda suddenly fished some white pills out of her purse. “Mrs. Huffman, these are antibiotics. They’ll help you get better faster.”
Maisy stared at the pills, not reaching for them. “You’re sure these are antibiotics?”
nda’s face darkened. “If you don’t trust me, I have nothing more to say.”
aisy.” Patrick’s voice was sharp and protective. “Just take the medicine.”
Maisy was so tired. Under his cold stare, she closed her eyes and finally took the pills, swallowing them down with water.
By the time they got to the private lounge at the club, Patrick’s friends were already waiting. The second they walked in, everyone started shouting and cheering:
“You finally brought her out in public!”
“So this is the girl who keeps Patrick up at night? She really is special!”
Maisy sat quietly in the corner, watching the group–these were the same people who once rooted for her and Patrick. Now, her heart ached.
“Ms. Hall, Mr. Huffman is crazy about you,” one of the guys joked. “Ask him for the moon and
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Chapter 3
he’ll bring it down for you!”
Melinda looked skeptical. “Seriously?”
They started daring her. “Try him!”
“Okay… What if you give him your most expensive car?” Melinda pointed at one of the friends.
Patrick didn’t even blink–he just laughed and tossed the keys over.
The group erupted, loving it.
Melinda kept testing him, asking for a watch, a house–whatever she wanted, Patrick said yes.
The energy in the room was wild. “See? He’s all in. Just say yes already–be his mistress!”
Melinda’s face turned stubborn. “No way! I’ll never be anyone’s mistress! If you keep making fun of me, I’m leaving.”
Afraid she’d actually walk out, someone quickly changed the subject and suggested playing games.
Every round, they made sure Melinda lost on purpose.
The dares got bolder. She’s sitting on Patrick’s lap, holding hands with him.
On the tenth round, Melinda had to kiss the person to her left for three minutes.
The whole room cheered–Patrick was on her left.
Melinda froze, then jumped to her feet. “Are you guys doing this on purpose? I’m not playing anymore if this continues.”
“Relax, it’s just a game,” someone said.
“Yeah, come on. Mr. Huffman’s a billionaire. He wouldn’t cheat,” joked another.
Maisy’s grip on her wine glass was so tight her knuckles turned white. She watched Patrick with a faint smile on his lips.
But he did cheat, just to get close to Melinda. Her billionaire husband, going along with these dumb games.
acted this way, he was asking her out.
e it was being sawed open, pain spilling out. Worse, her chest was getting tight, g growing shallow.
She pressed a hand to her chest–and suddenly noticed angry red welts climbing up her arm.
It’s an allergic reaction, but she’d always been so careful. Her head swam. Then she remembered the “antibiotics” Melinda gave her.
While everyone cheered, Melinda quickly pecked Patrick on the cheek.
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Chapter 3
He clearly wasn’t satisfied. Suddenly, he grabbed the back of Melinda’s head. “That’s not a real kiss. Let me show you how it’s done.”
Maisy stared as their lips met, Patrick’s fingers threading through Melinda’s hair,
No one noticed Patrick’s wife, her rash spreading up her neck, her breathing ragged,
“Patrick…” Maisy managed to grab his arm, her voice hoarse. “Take me to the hospital… I’m having an allergic reaction…”
“Stop it.” He didn’t even look at her, shaking her off, one hand still wrapped around Melinda,
“Please…” She tugged at his sleeve, her voice.barely a whisper
He brushed her off completely, pressing Melinda into the couch and deepening the kiss.
The kiss got rougher, hungrier, and Patrick seemed completely lost in it.
Maisy’s vision started to fade. She staggered, crashing into the champagne tower.
Glass shattered. Finally, Melinda screamed, “She fainted!”
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