The Man Who Faked My Medical Reports

Chapter 2 Everything Went Black

Vincent Powell was quiet for a second on the other end of the line, a little caught off guard. "Ms. Shaw, when I offered you that eight-figure engagement gift two weeks ago, you told me your heart belonged to someone else and asked me to drop it... So what changed your mind?"

Aurora took a deep breath. Her voice came out low and rough, but steady. "If Mr. Powell thinks it's a bad idea, I can find someone else."

She was about to hang up when his voice came through again—cool, but certain. "Give me a month. I'll come for you properly."

Aurora just nodded blankly, managed a quiet "Okay," and ended the call.

Her grandmother, Brenda Shaw, hadn't been doing well lately. Her biggest wish was to see Aurora married before she passed.

And Vincent... he was a solid choice.

No sooner had she set the phone down than she heard Zayne's warm, easy voice behind her. "Aurora, who was that? What's happening in a month?"

He sounded casual, his face wearing that gentle smile of his.

It was like a completely different person from the cold, distant man in the parking lot earlier.

Before Aurora could answer, Zayne wrapped his arms around her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder. "So, how did the check-up go?"

Aurora's heart clenched.

She pulled a bitter smile.'Like he doesn't already know.'

His fake concern made her sick. 'Fine. If he wants to play pretend, I'll play along.'

Without a word, she slid the medical report—the one he'd personally arranged—toward him.

Zayne picked it up. His face didn't flicker. 'Just like I planned.'

"Hey, it's okay, Aurora." He pressed a light kiss to the top of her head, his voice smooth. "Anemia's no big deal. I'll get the best doctors to help you get better. We'll get the marriage license soon... and then you'll be my wife forever. Right?"

Aurora looked down, hiding the bitterness in her eyes.

Anemia really wasn't serious. It wouldn't stop them from getting a license.

But way back when his father, Upton Palmer, agreed to let her marry into the family, he'd laid down one clear rule: the pre-marital health check had to be spotless.

The Palmer family was old money. They couldn't have any "sickness" tainting the family name.

Even a minor thing like anemia would get you a "not currently fit for marriage" note on the report.

For years, she'd downed awful herbal tonics, given up every food she loved, gone to countless doctors—all to be healthy enough to marry him.

But lately, she'd started wondering.

'Was that rule really from Upton? Or did Zayne make the whole thing up?'

Noticing how distant she seemed, Zayne leaned in, trying to kiss her lips—his usual move.

In the past, this gentle act would make her soften, make her doubt herself.

But just as his lips were about to touch hers, Aurora turned her head away.

"What's wrong?" His eyes flickered, a rare hint of unease in his voice.

Aurora just shook her head. "Nothing. Just not feeling great."

Just then, a maid pushed the door open with a smile, carrying in a basket of perfect, shiny persimmons. "Ms. Shaw, Mr. Palmer sure knows how to treat you right. These were flown in special from Islemark. You're so lucky."

Aurora stared at the overflowing basket. She reached out and stopped the maid.

She didn't even really like persimmons.

But once, Zayne had mentioned they were good for anemia, so she'd forced herself to eat them every season, even pretending they were her favorite.

Earlier today, while waiting in the hospital lobby, she'd accidentally seen a health news: "What Foods Actually Cause Anemia?"

Below the headline, it boldly stated that prolonged, excessive consumption of tannic acid found in persimmons could hinder iron absorption and worsen anemia symptoms.

Someone as meticulous as Zayne couldn't not know that.

Aurora looked straight at him, her voice barely a whisper. "Do you really want me to eat these?"

She gave a sad smile, bracing herself for the answer.

Zayne paused for just a second, then smiled gently and nodded. "They're your favorite, aren't they? Eat up, so you can get better."

He said it so naturally, like he truly believed it.

Aurora let out a silent laugh.

She picked up a persimmon and took small bites.

But after just a few, a sharp, cramping pain tore through her stomach.

Sweat beaded on her forehead. She gripped Zayne's sleeve. "Zayne, I think I..."

She didn't finish because his phone rang.

On the other end, Anya's voice sounded panicked and tearful. "Zayne, please come help me! I'm at a bar with my friends, and these guys are bothering us. I'm so scared..."

Zayne's face changed.

The eyes that had just been looking at her so softly were now filled with nothing but worry and urgency.

He shot up, yanking his hand out of hers. "Sorry, Aurora, Anya's in trouble. I have to go."

Aurora clutched at his shirt, her knuckles white. "Anya's in trouble? Send your assistant, Vance Rogers, or a bodyguard. But I'm really hurting, I need a hospital."

Zayne just gently pried her fingers away, a flicker of annoyance crossing his face. "Don't be difficult. Anya's an innocent girl. I can't just leave her to deal with that."

He paused, softening his voice a little, but it sounded hollow. "You've had this anemia thing for a while. You'll get through it. I'll be back soon."

Aurora stared at him. He looked like a stranger.

He let go of her hand and walked out fast, not looking back.

Aurora curled up on the sofa, holding her stomach.

Then, suddenly, she felt a warm, wet trickle run down her leg.

She looked down—a shocking red was spreading slowly across her pure white dress.

Aurora tried to push herself up, but her vision was swimming.

And then everything went black.

Right before she lost consciousness, one single thought echoed in her mind. 'Vincent... in a month... you have to come for me.'