"I even saw a doctor," I said, faking a broken voice. "They said if I keep pushing myself like this, I might not make it to thirty. You both care about me, don't you? You wouldn't want me to die young."
"Bella, I would never want that!" Grace whined, her voice shaky but her eyes showing something darker.
Liam started crying, too, playing his role perfectly. "It's all my fault. If my family hadn't gone bankrupt, none of this would've happened. I'm so sorry."
"Liam," I said suddenly, my tone softening just a bit, "didn't you promise to be with me forever? But if I die early, who's gonna be there for you?"
His eyes brightened instantly. He'd been chasing after me for a while now, but I hadn't let him get close. He was desperate, and he fell right into my trap.
"Grace, didn't you say you had some savings for a down payment on a house? Why don't you give that money to Bella?" Liam suggested, his voice oozing with fake concern.
Grace shot him a fierce look but then bit her lip and nodded. "If it's for Bella's health, I guess buying a house can wait."
These two were expert liars—one playing broke and helpless, the other pretending to be sweet and selfless.