Chapter 3

In the days that followed, I locked myself in my bedroom, tears blurring my vision, almost completely cutting off contact with the outside world. My parents, having learned of Dylan Sterling’s outrageous behavior, felt even more certain that not marrying me to him was the right decision. They even threatened to go confront the Sterling family, but I, finally emerging after days of seclusion, stopped them. The wedding was imminent; I wanted no more complications.

After calming my parents, I left with a design sketch. During my seclusion, I hadn't been fretting over Dylan Sterling; he was already irrelevant to me. I had been in my room, meticulously designing a wedding ring for Julian Sterling. I knew the "Star-Picker" ring was priceless, so I secretly wanted to repay his unspoken affection with a heartfelt gift of my own.

I handed the design to the butler, instructing him to find a master jeweler to hand-craft it. But when the agreed-upon deadline passed, the wedding ring still hadn't arrived. When I inquired, I learned that Dylan Sterling had come a few days prior to pick out jewelry, spotted my ring design, and after a brief inquiry, simply took it. He’d only left a message: "It's for me anyway, no need to have Eleanor Vance come pick it up." The staff, aware of the upcoming Sterling-Vance alliance, hadn't stopped him. My heart sank.

I rushed to the Sterling residence to confront Dylan Sterling and retrieve the ring. But the moment I entered, I saw Serena Hayes sitting amidst a pile of packages, cooing sweetly.

"Young Master, you secretly emptied my Amazon cart again, didn't you? You're so good to me, how can I ever repay you?"

"I enjoy it; you don't need to repay me. And I've told you several times, don't call me 'Young Master' anymore."

Serena Hayes then shyly, coyly, called him "Dylan." Watching them exchange loving glances, I didn't blink. I simply strode into the room. Hearing my footsteps, Dylan Sterling turned, a frown creasing his brow.

"What are you doing here?"

"Give me back the wedding ring you took."

Seeing my outstretched hand, Dylan Sterling raised an eyebrow.

"It's gone."

My gaze hardened, my voice dropping a few degrees. "What do you mean, 'gone'?"

Dylan Sterling was still scrambling for an excuse when Serena Hayes, still seated on the floor, spoke up timidly.

"Ms. Vance, I saw online that wedding rings are easiest for opening packages, so I used it to open hundreds of deliveries. The ring is all scratched up now. Do you still want it?"

With that, she opened her palm, revealing the ring, now marred and scratched.

Dylan Sterling had taken *my* wedding ring and given it to Serena Hayes to open packages?! A surge of anger flared within me, rapidly spreading through my limbs. I could no longer control my emotions. My eyes red, I glared at the two nonchalant figures before me. "Dylan Sterling, by what right did you take my property? Serena Hayes, how dare you desecrate it like this? Don't you know the meaning of the word 'respect'?"

Seeing me so distraught over a mere ring ruined Dylan Sterling's good mood. His voice was laced with impatience.

"This wedding ring was meant for me anyway. What are you even arguing about? Oh, right, I've decided we'll just sign the papers, no wedding. So your ring design is useless. Don't bother wasting your time."

His dismissive attitude made my fists clench. I stated it again, my voice firm.

"Dylan Sterling, this wedding ring was not for you!"

"If not for me, then who? Eleanor Vance, that's enough. You're overacting!"

Dylan Sterling retorted, then casually tossed the ring aside, grabbing Serena Hayes's hand as he headed for the door. "Don't waste time with her. Serena, didn't you say you wanted to learn to drive a few days ago? Come on, I'll teach you."

Watching their retreating backs, countless waves of fury and indignation crashed over me. I wanted to chase after them, but I was powerless. I could only crouch on the ground, searching for the ring. It took me a good thirty minutes to find it in a flowerbed.

Carefully placing it in my pocket, I didn't hesitate for a moment. I turned and left. It was too late to remake it; I could only find someone to restore it, hoping it could be brought back to its original state.

But just as I walked out of the villa, I heard a strange noise. Looking up, I saw a car hurtling straight towards me. My eyes widened in terror. With a heavy *thud*, I was thrown ten feet away, collapsing in a pool of my own blood.

Serena Hayes, feigning fright, got out of the car, crying. "Oh no, oh no! I just started learning to drive, and I accidentally hit the gas instead of the brake! Now I've caused trouble! Ms. Vance is bleeding so much, Dylan, will something bad happen?"

Seeing the large patch of blood staining the stone steps, Dylan Sterling frowned. He pulled Serena Hayes into his arms, comforting her softly.

"It's fine. She always pretends to be pitiful. She's just putting on an act now. Ignore her. She'll wake up when she can't keep up the charade. Serena, don't be scared, don't cry."

Hearing those words through a haze, I felt a bone-deep chill. Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. Dylan Sterling, I had thought that even if you didn't love me, after all our years as childhood friends, you would at least have a tiny bit of affection for me. Yet, to appease Serena, you were willing to completely disregard my life. Why, in my previous life, did I ever fall in love with you?

I struggled to call for help, but just as my fingers brushed my phone, my strength completely abandoned me. An endless darkness rushed in, swallowing me whole.

When I opened my eyes again, it was the next day. Soon after I woke, the doctor entered with my medical chart, speaking in a grave tone. "Why wasn't she brought in immediately after the accident? You waited until she lost so much blood before bringing her to the hospital? This is reckless!"

Recalling the scene before I lost consciousness, my lips moved, but I could only offer a bitter smile, unsure how to answer. Should I tell him my childhood friend was too busy comforting another woman to care if I lived or died? The doctor didn't press further, continuing, "Where's your husband? Have him sign the admission papers."

The anesthesia hadn't worn off, and I blurted out instinctively.

"He's abroad."

The words had barely left my lips when the door to my hospital room pushed open. Dylan Sterling stood there, staring intently at me. "Who's abroad?!"