Nothing But Lies

I was eighteen when I got together with Sam Bennett. We were in love for two years—at least, that was what I thought—until I found out I was nothing more than a stand-in for someone else. After a huge fight, we broke up.

Not long after, Paxton Gibson, the warm and caring senior who had always looked out for me, began pursuing me passionately. He was persistent, unwavering, and so sincere that I finally let down my guard and accepted him.

Just when I thought I had finally found true happiness, I overheard a phone call between Paxton and Sam.

“Don’t worry, Leah trusts me completely. Take good care of Georgina. The surgery will happen soon.”

In the end, when I really did disappear, they changed their minds.

“Leah, come home with me, please?”

I smiled, at peace with myself. “But I haven’t had a home for a long time.”

I carried a plate of freshly sliced fruit to the study, only to notice that the door was slightly ajar.

“I’ve got everything under control. Leah hasn’t noticed a thing.”

I was just about to push the door open when I heard my name.

“Relax, she trusts me completely. Take good care of Georgina. The surgery will happen soon. Sam, once the surgery is done, we’ll compete fairly. Georgina will choose for herself.”

The words left me stunned. Cold sweat broke out on my back as my mind spun in chaos, struggling to piece together the truth from the fragments of their conversation.

Sam Bennett’s and Paxton Gibson’s so-called love for me had never been real. Everything had been for one purpose, and that was to give Georgina Summers a healthy heart.

All this time, I thought I had finally found happiness, but in reality, Paxton had another woman in mind.

“Leah?”

Paxton had finished his call and was now standing at the door, looking at me in surprise. “What are you doing here?”

Snapping out of my daze, I quickly pointed to the plate in my hands, forcing a smile. “I… I brought you some fruits.”

His eyes darkened slightly, studying me seriously for a moment before his gaze dropped to my left hand. I thought he was suspicious of me.

Instead, he took my hand and frowned. “You cut yourself. Why didn’t you say anything?”

I blinked and looked toward the hand he was holding. Only then did I notice the thin red scratch on my index finger. I had no idea when it had happened.

Paxton sighed. “You’re always so careless. Next time, let me do it.”

Setting the fruit aside, he pulled me to the living room to tend to my wound. He carefully applied a bandage, his touch gentle. However, my mind was still ringing with the words I had just heard. Everything felt surreal.

His eyes were warm and full of affection as he looked at me. “Does it hurt?”

I couldn’t reconcile this considerate, gentle man with the one who had just been discussing my fate so coldly.

“Why aren’t you saying anything? Do you feel unwell?” He sounded concerned.

I shook my head. “No, I just didn’t sleep well last night. I feel a little dizzy.”

He rubbed my head, his voice soft with worry. “I’ve told you many times not to stay up late. Now you’re suffering for it.”

Was he only concerned about my health to make sure Georgina’s new heart would be in perfect condition?

“I know. I’ll sleep early tonight,” I replied with a smile.

Satisfied, Paxton walked me back to my room before returning to his study.

The moment he left, my smile faded. A dull ache spread through my chest—a painful reminder of the truth I had just uncovered. My whole body felt cold as I sat there and stared blankly at the framed photo on my nightstand.