Chapter 1

Riley's POV

I've been with Orion Blake for three years now, and during this time, he's fulfilled almost every fantasy I had about the perfect boyfriend.

He remembers all my little habits—brings me an umbrella when it rains, gets me a heating pad during my period, and even has my menstrual cycle memorized down to the day.

We've been together since college, building our lives side by side. I've watched him grow from a few thousand followers to a mega-influencer, and I couldn't be prouder of him.

What touches me most is that after he became famous, instead of growing distant and cold, he's actually become even more attentive and caring.

"Baby, give me the thermometer." Orion gently touches my forehead, his voice filled with concern. "102.6 degrees—that's higher than before."

I'm lying in bed with a high fever, my body weak and aching. He's been taking care of me non-stop for an entire day, never leaving my side.

"Want some more porridge? I made fresh oatmeal." He sits on the bed's edge with a bowl in hand. "The doctor said you need to drink plenty of warm water and get proper nutrition when you have a fever."

Watching him fight exhaustion while maintaining that worried expression, warmth spreads through my chest. This man—no matter how tired or busy—never shows the slightest impatience when caring for me.

"Hey everyone, Riley's feeling a bit under the weather today." Orion addresses his phone camera, his voice carrying undisguised worry. "There's no way I'm not taking care of her personally. This is what love looks like."

I was initially reluctant about him livestreaming this—feeling too disheveled while sick. But he said he wanted his followers to see what real love actually looks like.

"Being there for each other no matter what, taking care of one another." He looks directly at the camera, his eyes determined. "That's the kind of love I want to share with everyone."

The live chat explodes instantly:

[Orion is so sweet omg 😭😭😭]

[Please send me an Orion too!]

The screen fills with gift animations, but his attention remains completely focused on me.

"Here, open your mouth. Careful, don't burn yourself." He spoon-feeds me the oatmeal porridge, his movements careful and gentle, as if afraid to cause me the slightest discomfort.

The warm porridge slides down my throat, chasing away some of the cold in my body.

"Is it sweet enough? Not too hot?" He watches me anxiously.

"Perfect." I smile at him. "Your porridge-making skills keep getting better."

"For you, I'd learn anything." He plants a gentle kiss on my forehead. "How are you feeling? You're still burning up. We should go to the hospital tomorrow for a check-up."

"It's just a common cold, no need to—"

"No way." He shakes his head firmly. "My girl deserves the best care possible."

Looking at the envious comments rolling through the chat, I remember how my friends always say I'm the luckiest woman in the world.

And honestly, with Orion as my boyfriend, what more could I possibly ask for?

When my fever wouldn't break that night, he insisted on taking me to the hospital for observation.

Now I'm lying in a VIP room at Downtown Medical Center.

"The doctor recommends hospital observation—it might be viral flu causing the high fever." Orion grips my hand tightly, his eyes full of worry. "I've already taken leave from work. I'll stay with you the whole time."

"But your work..." I try to protest, knowing he's at a crucial point in his career.

"Work isn't more important than you." He cuts me off without hesitation. "Besides, I want my followers to see what true 24/7 devotion looks like."

A nurse comes in to set up my IV drip. Orion immediately stands to help adjust my bed position and thoughtfully places a soft pillow under my arm.

"Does it hurt?" Watching the needle enter my vein, he looks more nervous than I feel. "If it hurts, just squeeze my hand."

"It doesn't hurt. Don't worry."

He starts peeling an apple, his movements gentle and focused, then cuts it into small pieces.

"You love apples, and the doctor said fruit helps with recovery." He spears a piece with a fork and brings it gently to my lips. "Eat slowly."

The livestream viewer count is skyrocketing, comments flooding with envy and praise. But his eyes are only on me, and that focused attention fills my heart with happiness.

Just then, his phone buzzes.

I glance over casually and see him quickly grab his phone, look at it, then... delete something.

The action is swift—so fast I almost think I imagined it. But for that split second, I could swear I saw something flash across his eyes... what was it?

"What's wrong?" I ask.

"Nothing, just spam." He smiles as he explains. "These marketing calls are so annoying these days."

I nod and continue eating the apple. But a voice in my head asks: Do you need to delete spam messages? And was that really the expression of someone looking at junk mail?

In the afternoon, after the nurse's routine check-up, Orion takes a call.

"It's an interview with GQ," he explains to me. "Talking about our philosophy on love."

Though that morning message left me uneasy, hearing him say on the phone:

"Riley is my entire world. I could never leave her in this lifetime. No matter what happens, I will always protect her."

My doubts gradually fade. Maybe I really was overthinking it—his love for me is so genuine.

After the interview, Orion returns with my favorite strawberries. We watch TV together and chat about his work schedule for next week.

By 8 PM, the hospital room grows quiet.

I'm propped up in bed reading while Orion handles work emails beside me. This peaceful, everyday feeling is incredibly comforting—as if no matter how chaotic the outside world gets, this remains our safe harbor.

Before I know it, it's late at night. As I'm drifting off to sleep, I suddenly notice a flash of light.

Opening my eyes, I see Orion leaning back in the bedside chair, apparently asleep. His phone screen suddenly lights up.

A message appears clearly on the lock screen: [Miss you 💋]

Time seems to freeze in this moment.

My breath catches in my throat, my heart feeling like someone just punched it hard.

Orion jerks awake, frantically pressing the screen dark, then looks nervously toward me. I quickly close my eyes, forcing my breathing to stay steady.

"Miss you 💋"...

That 💋 symbol burns into my retinas like a brand.

I glance at the wall clock—2 AM. Who would send him that kind of message at this hour? A work partner? A friend?

No. That leaves only one possibility...

Impossible. Orion just said in that interview that I'm his entire world, that he could never leave me in this lifetime. He loves me so much—how could he possibly betray me?

But that message is like a thorn, digging deep into my heart.

I lie there with my eyes closed, listening to Orion carefully adjusting his position, feeling this sudden anxiety growing wildly in the darkness.

Had our three perfect years together been nothing but my fantasy?