Chapter 2
Giovanni never came back that night.
First thing the next morning, Charlotte discharged herself.
She had barely gotten home and started packing her things when her phone rang. It was Giovanni. “Lottie? Why didn’t you tell me you were leaving the hospital? I would’ve come to get you.”
“You’re busy with work,” Charlotte said, her voice deadpan. “I didn’t want to be an inconvenience.”
Giovanni sounded taken aback. He paused for a few seconds. “We
really did have an This book had been added on your bookshelf. I’m sorry, Lottie. I
She cut him off quietly. “You don’t need to explain. I get it.”
He clearly hadn’t expected that from her-she was usually so needy for his attention. “Lottie, did someone say something to you?” he asked, suddenly defensive.
A wave of disgust washed over her, but she kept her voice perfectly level. “What would anyone say to me? I’m just tired. Do you need something? If not, I’d really like to get some sleep.”
Giovanni let out a heavy sigh. “Are you mad I didn’t stay at the hospital last night? Look, we have a charity auction tonight, and everyone from the company is going to be there. I’ll take you so you
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can have a good time, okay?”
He didn’t even give her a chance to say no. “It’s settled. I’ll send my assistant over later to help you get ready.”
The charity dinner was held at the most exclusive hotel in San
Francisco.
Giovanni held her hand tightly as they worked the room, greeting the wealthy donors. With every handshake, he made sure to drop the same line, “My wife was injured recently. I’ve been just sick with worry over her.”
The guests fawned over him right on cue.
“Your devotion to your wife is legendary, Mr. Castillo. We’re all quite jealous.”
This book had been added on your bookshelf.
“Absolutely. Mrs. Castillo is incredibly lucky to be married to such an outstanding man.”
Before she got her memory back, she’d been in this exact scenario a hundred times, and it had always made her feel safe and loved.
This time, though, Charlotte just stood there in silence. She didn’t offer the polite thanks she normally would.
Giovanni could tell something was off. He shot her a suspicious look and opened his mouth to speak, but a bright voice interrupted from close by. “Lottie! It’s been days. I’ve missed you so much!”
Elvira instantly looped her arm through Charlotte’s, leaning in with her usual, easy closeness.
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Charlotte jerked her arm away. “Don’t touch me.”
Tears welled up in Elvira’s eyes. She looked over at Giovanni, playing the victim. “Gio, did you upset Lottie? Why else would she be so
mean to me?”
Giovanni frowned, studying Charlotte closely.
“Lottie, you and Elvi are best friends. Why are you acting like this?”
“Best friends?” Charlotte let out a dry laugh. “Would a best friend grab my arm that hard without even noticing I’m hurt?”
Only then did Giovanni notice the gauze wrapped around her arm. Elvira’s tight grip had squeezed fresh blood right through the bandages.
Giovanni relaxed. He affectionately pinched the tip of Charlotte’s nose. “Be good. Don’t be mad. I’ll have the doctor take a look at it later.”
The charity auction started.
Above the table, Elvira and Giovanni went out of their way to ignore each other, but Charlotte noticed their legs pressing together
underneath.
Fighting down a wave of nausea, Charlotte excused herself to use the restroom and hurried off.
On her way back, she passed the emergency stairwell and heard unmistakable sounds coming from inside,
Peering through the crack in the door, she saw Giovanni and Elvira
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The final item went up on the auction block. Charlotte stared in shock.
It was her mother’s ruby necklace-the only thing she had left of her parents after they died in a fire.
She raised her paddle without hesitating. “2 million.”
A split second later, Elvira raised her own paddle. “2.5 million dollars.”
Charlotte looked at her. Elvira smiled. “Lottie, you know how much I love ruby necklaces. You don’t mind letting me have this one, right?”
She gave Charlotte a malicious wink.
“3 million,” Charlotte said, raising her paddle again.
Elvira’s expression hardened. “4 million.”
As their bidding war reached a stalemate, Giovanni called out to the auctioneer. “You should probably verify their funds first. If they win the bid and can’t pay, the auction will fall through.”
Elvira stared at Giovanni in shock, clearly confused by his
interference.
He just shot her a subtle look, signaling her not to worry.
A sudden, icy dread washed over Charlotte.
The request to verify funds-which had initially seemed like a petty
dig aimed at Elvira-was actually a trap, and she was the one caught in
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Catching her eye, Giovanni offered an easy smile. “Don’t sweat it, Lottie. I know Elvi’s always gunning for you, but I’ve got your back tonight. If she doesn’t have the cash in her account, she can’t outbid you.”
The auctioneer stepped up, holding out a card reader with a polite nod.
“Mrs. Castillo? We’ll just need to verify your funds first.”
A second later, the machine’s automated voice blared across the quiet hall, dropping a bomb on Charlotte’s dignity.
“Sorry. Insufficient funds. Available balance: zero dollars.”
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