VANESSA POV

The dining room was too pristine.

Emily had chosen this place carefully—wide windows, pale stone floors, expensive furniture meant to impress. A summer house meant for her and Jake. Every detail screamed intention.

I took my seat slowly.

Jake sat across from me. Kay stood beside my chair.

I lowered my gaze, letting my shoulders slump, letting my body soften.

“Jake,” I said quietly, looking up at Kay, “will you sit with me?”

Kay froze.

Across the table, Jake’s fingers tightened around his glass.

“Of course,” Kay said after a beat, pulling out the chair beside me and sitting down.

Emily watched silently.

I kept my eyes lowered, hiding the small smile that tried to form.

They noticed.

Every time I said the wrong name, someone stiffened.

Every time I acted confused, someone tensed.

Good.

Confusion made people careless.

And careless people revealed the truth.

Before I could say anything else, a maid entered the dining room. I hadn’t even known there were staff here.

She placed the food carefully on the table and lingered for a moment.

I picked up my fork and began eating the pasta slowly, taking small, deliberate bites—my eyes flickering between Emily and Jake.

Neither of them ate.

They only watched.

Emily’s fingers twitched slightly against the table, like she was fighting the urge to act. I took another bite. Then let my fork slip from my fingers, clattering softly against the plate.

My hands trembled.

I looked up with glassy eyes, my expression pained and fragile.

Kay was the first to react.

He reached for my hand, squeezing it gently.

“Are you okay, sweetheart?” he asked immediately.

I nodded weakly. “Y-yeah… I’m just not feeling very well.”

“It’s alright, Ka— I mean Jake,” Jake said quickly, shifting uncomfortably in his chair. “The doctor mentioned she’d be weak and confused for a while.”

He almost tripped over the lie.

Inside, I celebrated.

One day, either Emily or Jake would slip and tell me the truth.

I just had to play my game right.

“K—Jake and Emily,” I said softly, looking at them both, “if you don’t mind, I think I should go rest. I don’t feel well yet.”

Kay was already standing behind my chair.

I looked up at him, wide-eyed. “Can we go to our bedroom, Jake?”

“Of course,” he said immediately. “Let me help you.”

He wrapped one arm around my shoulders and the other around my waist as I stood, letting my legs shake as if they could barely hold me.

“Thank you, love,” I murmured.

The dining room fell silent.

I had never called Jake any pet name before.

Never.

“Did I say something wrong?” I asked softly, leaning into Kay in confusion.

Emily elbowed Jake sharply and plastered on a smile.

“Of course not, Vanessa,” she said sweetly—too sweet. “We were just… surprised by how sweet you and Jake are.”

Kay’s arm tightened protectively around my waist.

“Let’s go,” he said gently. “You need rest if you’re going to get better.”

I nodded, allowing him to lead me out of the dining room.

Behind us, Jake remained frozen in his chair.

As soon as we reached the bedroom, Kay helped me onto the bed and tucked the blanket around me carefully.

“Thank you, Jake,” I said softly. “You’re so sweet.”

He froze mid-motion.

“Don’t thank me,” he said after a moment. “I’m your fiancé, remember? Taking care of you is my job.”

I smiled faintly and nodded.

He sat on the edge of the bed and pulled out his phone, typing something quickly. I finally allowed myself a deep breath.

Emily had reacted too strongly.

Every time I used the wrong name.

Every time I mentioned the past.

But Jake’s slips were suspicious too.

I didn’t know yet whether Jake simply wanted to be with Emily—or if he wanted me dead.

Or if Emily was the one behind the crash, and Jake had no idea.

But if I trusted my instincts…

Emily was my main suspect.

I just hoped I’d survive long enough to uncover the truth.

At least, for now, I could count on Kay.

He had no idea how dangerous this game really was.