I Swapped His Fake Gift for a Real Life novel Chapter 21

Chapter 2: Blood & Bone Contract

The operating room light glowed teadly Silence hung thick in the corridor, broken only by the sound of breathing.

Nove sat on the waiting bench fingers leaching cold. Across from her, by Callahan dabbed at red–rimmed eyes, her gaze

flickering anxiously toward the surgery doors

Finally, vy spoke, her voice thin with tears. Ms. Sterling. I’m sorry for causing trouble again.”

Nova met her eyes but remained alert.

Ivy wiped fresh tears 1 never imagined after all these years. Zane would will feel this deeply for me She paused, fost in memory. “You know? Last year on my birthday, he flew to Val–de–Reve just to deliver a necklace a style I’d casually mentioned liking years before. He remembered And 1-1 was still angry with him. I threw it back at him. Didn’t even let

him inside

Nova’s fingers clenched. Her nails bit deep into her palms

She remembered it all too dearly–last year, when Zane Blackthor told her he was going on a three–day business trip overseas. He’d returned with a necklace, handing it to her carelessly. She’d treasured it, storing it in the deepest corner of her jewelry box, too precious to wear. Now the knew–it was hy’s unwanted discard

Ivy continued, her voice trembling Then Christmas the year before. My boyfriend and I had a huge fight. I posted something bleak online. Zane saw it. He few through the night and stood outside my apartment building until dawn. He stood outside my apartment building until morning in the middle of a snowstorm, no less st… waiting But he never

once knocked.”

Nova’s heart twisted like a knife.

She remembered that Christmas night.

Zane had taken her seven times with desperate intensity. She’d thought passion had finally sparked between them When she woke, his side of the bed was cold. She assumed he’d left to handle some urgent business.

So… he had rushed to Ivy after all

These three years… Ivy’s tears fell freely now, “I ignored him. Cut off contact out of spite. But Zane never forgot me. Not one day. He wrote me a letter every single day–even when I never replied”

Nova felt the air thicken, suffocating

How many late nights had she seen the study light on?

She’d thought he was working, bringing him coffee.

So… he’d been writing love letters to Ivy.

Chapter 2: Blood & Bone Contract

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nung man from the lower

She’d believed–during those years Ivy was gone–that Zane had genuinely tried to build a life with her.

Now she understood. It had always been her own delusion.

The heart she thought she’d warmed? It had belonged to someone else all along

As Ivy drew breath to continue, Nova surged to her feet.

Her face was bloodless, her voice unnaturally calm. “I have things to do. I’ll go ahead.”

She didn’t wait for Ivy’s response. Turning, she walked swiftly away–faster and faster, until she was nearly running.

Back home, Nova packed her belongings in silence. She was ready. Ready for the divorce agreement’s final day.

In the weeks that followed, Ivy’s social media feed became a chronicle of Zane’s devotion.

His surgery was successful, yet he rested no time. He secured the finest hospital suite for Ivy’s mother. He summoned a top international medical team. He personally reviewed every treatment plan.

Ivy’s latest post was a photo.

Zane sat beside a hospital bed, an IV line taped to his arm. He bent intently over a pomegranate, peeling it for Ivy.

Her caption read (Could never find someone who loves me like this.]

Nova’s heart seized A tear splashed onto her phone screen, blurring the image of Zane’s tender profile.

Memories flooded her–years spent caring for him just as diligently:

Brewing bone broth each dawn for his delicate stomach.

Leaving lights on when he worked late into the night.

Placing peeled, pitted, perfectly sliced fruit by his hand…

Now he did these things for another.

Nova drew a shuddering breath. She wiped her tears.

It didn’t matter.

When she stopped loving him?

She would learn to love herself.

1 Diana fontract

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Chapter & Poisoned Memories

A week later, Zane unexpectedly returned home.

Nova was surprised. By all logic, he should’ve been at Ivy’s side constantly.

Family dinner tonight. Change clothes,‘ he stated flatly

Understanding, Nova silently changed into an appropriate gown and followed him.

The Blackthorns dining hall hummed with the usual orchestrated charm–crystal goblets gleaming, practiced smiles flashing Eventually, the conversation turned to them.

Three years married–time for children, surely?”

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