That night, Zara burned with fever.
She dragged herself to the door, barely managing to push it open before whispering to the guard posted outside, “I have a fever... please get the doctor…”
The man stiffened, visibly uncomfortable. “Ma’am, please don’t make this hard for us. Mr. Fowler is spending the night with Miss Lawson and made it clear—you're not allowed to leave your room under any circumstance.”
His words hit her like a bucket of ice water. Every last drop of strength in her spine turned cold.
She thought back to their wedding night.
Her bridesmaids had playfully barricaded the door, teasing Conrad and refusing to let him inside. Without hesitation, he shoved in a gift box containing ten million dollars in cash and promised everything they demanded and more.
He even wrote a vow by hand:
“I, Conrad Fowler, swear that I will love only Zara Fowler in this life. If I ever break this promise, may I lose the one I love most forever.”
In the end, he knelt on one knee, slid the diamond ring onto her finger and kissed her hand over and over like she was the most precious thing in the world.
That night, they became husband and wife in every way.
The room had glowed in soft, golden light. He had fumbled nervously, whispering, “Zara…I can’t find it.”
“Don’t laugh! It’s my first time too.”
“Zara… you’re the only woman for me. The only one now and forever.”
But the warmth of those memories had faded into nothing.
Now, Zara sat slumped against her locked bedroom door, her body shaking with fever and heartbreak.
Conrad was probably tangled in sheets with Wrena Lawson right now. Why would he even remember that she existed?
Suddenly, a man’s voice roared from the hallway.
“What the hell are you doing, idiots? Go get the doctor now. The best.” Conrad stroded in panic. “I swear, if anything happens to Zara, I’ll bury all of you with her!”
In her delirium, she fell into a warm embrace.
She tried to open her eyes, but sweat stung them too badly.
It must be a dream. Conrad had forgotten their love. There’s no way he panicked for her.
Zara fell unconscious for seven days. When she finally woke up, her throat burned like fire.
As she opened her eyes, she saw a tall, striking figure at the door.
“Didn’t they say she’d wake up within a week? Why is Zara still out cold?"
“She should wake up soon,” said a different voice. “Sir, if you care about your wife this much, why fake amnesia and put her through all this?"
Zara's blood froze.
Conrad faked his amnesia?
She heard him sigh, “Wrena saved my life overseas. If I hadn’t pretended to forget everything, with Zara’s temperament, she never would've allowed me to keep a mistress. This is the only way.”
“Actually, I had her parent rescued. Her father broke his leg and her mother was disfigured. Don’t tell Zara any of this yet.”
Zara nearly choked.
Her parents were still alive.
As soon as Conrad left, she tried to get out of bed to find them, but her legs gave out and she collapsed to the floor.
“Zara, the doctor said your body’s still weak. You need nutrient fluids. I studied medicine abroad. Let me help.”
Wrena had appeared out of nowhere and forced her back onto the bed.
Without hesitation, she plunged a long needle straight into Zara’s arm.
Someone yelped.
Zara’s vision blurred. Before she could even react, Wrena staggered backward, then slapped herself across the face.
“I’m trying to help you, Zara. Why are you hitting me?”
A moment later, Conrad stormed in, scooped Wrena into his arms and shot Zara a vicious glare.
“You jealous woman. I was the one who wanted Wrena around. Why are you lashing out at her?”
Zara stammered, “I didn’t do anything…”
“Mr. Fowler, don't blame her,” Wrena said, tears brimming in her eyes, though triumph glinted beneath them. “She just loves you too much to let any other woman near you. Still... even if my family went bankrupt, I’ve never been humiliated like this before.”
“So what do you want?”
“Would have the maids slap her ten times, okay?”
