They All ’Died’ For Her? With Terminal Cancer, I’m Done Playing Their Games Novel - Chapter 41

Chapter 1 My family's business failed. Creditors pushed my parents to suicide. And I was forced to ship overseas for an arranged marriage. For whole three years, I lived in HELL with a stranger. During my 99th forced apology-kneeling on the floor-Aiden Sinclair appeared. He rewrote contracts and gave up billions to free me. When my divorce finalized, he proposed under the Eiffel Tower. "Your past doesn't matter," he said. "I only wish I'd found you sooner." For two years, he gave me everything.

Stars. The moon. Whatever I wanted. But never a wedding. On our third Valentine's Day, I brought our papers to schedule our marriage as a surprise. The clerk's face fell as she checked her screen. 'Miss Parker, are you sure these are correct? Mr. Sinclair has been married for five years already." What. The. HELL?! The noise around me faded. My heartbeat seemed to stop. All I could hear was my own painful breathing. 'What… did you say?" 'Maybe you're mistaken? Could you check again?

Aiden isn't married. That's impossible!" My emotions exploded, words tumbling out incoherently. The clerk wiped sweat from her brow and hesitantly turned the screen toward me. She pointed at the "married" status. 'Miss, see for yourself. Mr. Sinclair is indeed married, exactly five years today. The spouse's name is Raven Collins. Do you know her?" Everything shattered around me. The world spun. I couldn't process what was happening. After a long moment, I forced a bitter smile.

"Yes… I know her. Sorry, my mistake." How could I not know her? Raven was the sister Aiden adopted from an orphanage-at least that's what he told me. I couldn't understand how his supposed sister suddenly became his wife. Doubts crushed my chest until I could barely breathe. I don't remember walking out. When I came to, I was standing outside. Couples who'd just registered their marriages glanced my way, their pity obvious.

Just as I was about to call Aiden for answers, his message came through. [Zoey, it's been eight hours since I saw you. I'm suffocating from missing you! You'll have to make it up to me tonight!] I used to think this was his way of showing love. Now it just felt like mockery. My nails dug into my palm as I trembled, then typed a reply: [Sure. I need to ask you something tonight.