Chapter 6 Our anniversary fell on the same day I'd planned to leave the country. I dressed carefully so Tristan wouldn't suspect a thing. The moment I stepped in, he came forward and a flash of admiration crossed his face. "Meredith, you look beautiful tonight." He bent as if to kiss me. I batted his hand away playfully. "Not yet-dinner first." His Adam's apple bobbed and his voice turned low. "Okay." Under the candlelight and the glow of roses, his profile looked impossibly handsome. He sliced ny steak with slow, considerate movements, and for a second I drifted back to the easy. introubled version of us. The feeling didn't last-grief and cold clarity tugged me back. Halfway through the meal, he suddenly dropped to one knee and presented a velvet box. "You've suffered for me, Meredith. After Hillary gives birth, I'll hand the child to you to raise. You will always be Mrs. Palmer. No one can replace you." nside the box, a diamond necklace glittered. I didn't reach for it. Suddenly, a sharp ringtone cut through the moment. He looked embarrassed and rose to answer On the other end, Hillary's faint and fragile voice sounded. "Tristan... I think I'm hypoglycemic m dizzy..." ristan's voice changed at once. "Where are you? I'm coming!" She sniffled with practiced vulnerability. "I might need a transfusion... If something happens t ne, save the baby first..." No-don't say that! You and the baby will be fine." His voice trembled. Then he glanced at me ike a man remembering a detail. spread my hands. "I didn't touch her." de hurried over. "Meredith, you have the rare blood type-only you can save Hillary." Before I could reply, he'd already called the family doctor and ordered a blood draw. Seven years of deception finally snapped into brutal clarity: he hadn't chosen me for love. I was nothing more than his emergency blood bank-a backup for Hillary. The truth left me cold. When the needle touched my skin, I placed a hand over his arm, Irritation flashed in his eyes. 'Hillary can't wait. I'll give you anything you want." took out a divorce agreement from my bag, and said calmly, "Sign this and I'll give blood." Without hesitation, he took the paper, flipped to the last page and signed. "Good. Draw more-fill the bags. That way Hillary can use it whenever she needs it." The needle pierced me again and again. Every bag filled was another stitch in the net they'd woven around me. "Why didn't you bother to read it?" I asked softly as the tube warmed in my hand. He waved me off. "It's only a transfer of assets. If it saves Hillary, I'll give you whatever you want." His certainty made me laugh coldly. Fine. The faster this farce was done, the sooner I could dismantle it. By the time dizziness washed over me and my vision blurred, the doctor finally couldn't bear it anymore and said, "Miss Meredith's life will be in danger if she continues to give blood." Tristan's brows drew together. 'Are you sure this is enough for Hillary?" When the doctor confirmed, he gave a short nod and reluctantly agreed to stop. As we were prepared to leave, he noticed my pale face and the hand pressed to my arm. What happened today was my fault," he sighed. "Once Hillary's stable, I'll give you a better anniversary." Seeing that I didn't answer, he tentatively called out again. "Meredith?" Mm." My reply was faint, barely audible. The moment the door clicked shut, I rose without hesitation and walked away. On the way to pick up my brother, Hillary's message popped up. Did you see it? As long as I say a word, Tristan will abandon you without hesitation. So what i ou've been Mrs. Palmer for seven years? He only listens to me now. Meredith, you'd better b mart and leave on your own. Otherwise, I don't mind letting you watch with your own eyes as ake him from you-and leaving you with nothing.] Attached was an intimate photo of her with Tristan. stared at the screen, lips curving into a cold smile. Vith a simple tap, the pre-set auto screen recorder captured everything, turning her arrogance nto ironclad evidence. She didn't realize-the more brazen she became, the deeper she dug her own grave. sneered and blocked her without hesitation. The play was over. Time to close the net. All the evidence would be packaged and sent straight to the lawyer, along with a single command. [Sue immediately. I want Hillary to rot in prison for the rest of her life.] As for Tristan-he owed me far too much. I would collect the debt of those unborn children, with interest. Once on the plane, I powered off the SIM card with care. The night outside the window stretched endlessly, and I whispered to myself, "The real show starts now."