: Prologue

I had been Caden Rhodes's secretary for seven years. After we were intimate, he tossed a check at me. "I'm tired of you."

I curved my lips into a teasing smile. "I've only got three months to live. Can't you wait just a little longer?"

He frowned. "Aria Lowell, you're not one to be tactless."

My smile froze. 'He didn't know. I never joke.'

Later, he panicked. But by then, it was too late.

1

I was Caden Rhodes's secretary.

Seven years ago, when I was new to the professional world, a twist of fate led to a drunken night together.

Three days later, Caden Rhodes sought me out. He offered me a position as his secretary and, at the same time, his woman, promising he would make it worth my while.

Naturally, I refused.

If I had it my way, the matter would never be brought up again, and no third person would ever find out about it.

Caden Rhodes said nothing in response. He just nodded, left me his business card, and then left.

Sometime after that, both of my parents were suddenly diagnosed with cancer, one right after the other.

The treatment for cancer was incredibly expensive.

Almost simultaneously, they both offered to forgo treatment so the family could pool all its resources to save the other...

After agonizing for several days, I finally pulled out that business card and called Caden Rhodes.

Without a moment's hesitation, Caden Rhodes named a figure I couldn't possibly refuse.

I was silent for a moment, but in the end, I accepted his offer...

However, money can't reverse the course of death.

Even though I had gotten them the best doctors and the best medicine, my parents ultimately lost their battle with cancer.

My dad passed away six months after his diagnosis.

My mom held on for two years.

On the day of my mother's funeral, Caden Rhodes specifically cleared his schedule to accompany me.

We stood together in the cemetery under a single black umbrella, facing my parents' shared grave. The headstone was streaked with rain.

That day, I lost the last family member I had in the world.

And all I had left was a "boss," connected to me only by a relationship that reeked of money.

2

After that day, I began to fully dedicate myself to being Caden Rhodes's woman.

To be honest, there was nothing really wrong with Caden Rhodes as a man.

He was tall and handsome, rich and powerful.

While his personality couldn't exactly be called gentle or considerate, at least he didn't have any strange kinks, nor did he ever force me to do anything.

I saw him as my boss, my benefactor.

Occasionally, I would abandon all reason and pretend he was my pillar of support.

'I knew I was the woman who had been by his side the longest.'

'I also knew that I wasn't Caden Rhodes's only woman.'

I was well aware of where Caden Rhodes's boundaries were, and I knew what I could and couldn't do.

I was considerate and gentle, generous and tolerant. Even when I occasionally showed a bit of a temper, it was a calculated move just to make him feel like I was depending on him.

I constantly warned myself not to take it seriously, not to get invested.

Even though the time we'd been together was approaching that of a long-married couple, I knew very well that he would eventually get tired of me.

I just never expected the cancer diagnosis to arrive sooner than his boredom.

When my parents passed away, their attending physician told me that our family had a slightly higher chance of getting cancer than others.

It was related to heredity and genetics, he said. He was telling me so I'd pay more attention to my health and try to get an annual check-up.

At the time, I thanked the doctor but didn't take it to heart.

To be precise, I didn't care whether I got sick or not.

After all, people are just waiting to die from the moment they're born. I actually thought dying sooner would be an earlier escape from this world.

Perhaps Heaven heard the pessimistic, world-weary voice in my heart, because I was, in fact, diagnosed.

Terminal cancer. Three months left to live, at most.

Three months. Not even enough time for Caden Rhodes to finish a project, yet it was already the limit of my life.

: Tired of It

3

I walked out of the hospital, holding the diagnosis report.

I walked as I always did, and when I passed a trash can, I casually tossed the report inside.

I had just stepped out of the hospital's main entrance when Caden Rhodes called.

He had a private social engagement today and couldn't bring his secretary. Since he was calling me, it most likely meant he wanted me to come over.

After I answered, Caden Rhodes indeed confirmed my suspicion.

I followed the address he gave me to a private club. When I pushed the door open, I saw two women draped over Caden Rhodes, nuzzling against him with enraptured looks.

I stood in the doorway, frowning slightly at the scene inside.

'Disgusted, I just wanted to leave.'

Caden Rhodes finally saw me.

He pushed the two women off him, stood up, and walked toward me.

I subconsciously clenched my fists and, just as I had countless times over the past seven years, schooled my features into a mask of detached indifference.

Caden Rhodes didn't say a word. He just took my hand and led me toward the second floor of the club.

I knew exactly what he was about to do.

In fact, I knew what he wanted from the moment he called.

I obediently followed him to a room on the second floor and, just like countless times before, let him guide me into a familiar intimacy.

...

When I woke up, Caden Rhodes was sitting on the edge of the bed, his upper body bare as he smoked a cigarette.

Hearing me stir, he suddenly turned his head, and a check fluttered down in front of me with the movement.

I stared blankly at the check. He only said two words: "I'm bored."

In that moment, it felt as though something inside my heart cracked with a soft SNAP.

It was like a shard of ceramic, its sharp edges carving a bleeding gash across my heart.

I could feel how natural I seemed, my tone even holding a hint of jest as I spoke:

"I only have three months to live. Can't you wait a little longer?"

Caden Rhodes's brow furrowed slightly as he looked at me with disapproval.

"Aria Lowell, you're not one to be tactless."

The smile on my lips froze. The gash in my heart ripped wider, leaving me momentarily speechless.

After all, we'd been together for seven years, yet Caden Rhodes didn't know in the slightest—

That I never joke.