Chapter 2

Hospital security rushed over with a team of guards.

They forcefully escorted Victoria and the reporters out of the emergency wing.

Julian and Lucas didn't leave.

They took the private elevator directly up to the top-floor VIP suite.

I floated lightly behind them, slipping through the door.

The suite was warm and cozy.

The gentle scent of fresh lilies lingered in the air.

Bella was propped up against plush, soft pillows.

Her face was somewhat pale, but her eyes held a gleam of triumph she couldn't entirely hide.

Seeing Julian walk in, she immediately squeezed out a pair of tears.

"Julian... Lucas... Is Chloe still refusing to see me?"

She weakly reached out, clutching the hem of Julian's jacket.

"Did I do something wrong to upset her?"

"If so, I'd rather stop my treatments. I can't bear seeing you fight because of me."

Heartbroken, Lucas sat down on the edge of the bed.

He gently stroked Bella's hair.

"Silly girl, don't talk nonsense."

"Chloe is just selfish to the bone. She can't stand seeing you happy."

"She actually bribed a nurse to fake a cremation certificate just to spite us."

Bella gasped, covering her mouth in shock.

"A cremation certificate? How could she joke about something like that?"

"She must hate me for taking away your love."

"I've been thinking about moving out for a while now anyway, so she can have her place back."

Julian sat down on the armchair nearby.

Crossing his long legs, he picked up an apple from the table and began to peel it.

"It has nothing to do with you. She's just hopelessly immature."

The paring knife glided smoothly over the red skin.

It created a single, unbroken peel that spiraled gracefully downward.

"She thinks pulling an extreme stunt like this will force my hand."

"She clearly underestimates me."

Julian cut the peeled apple into neat bite-sized pieces.

He skewered one with a toothpick and offered it to Bella.

"Have some fruit. The doctor said you need vitamins."

I drifted above the armrest of his chair.

My gaze fixed on that razor-sharp paring knife.

One month ago.

Dragging a body drained of blood, I had crawled all the way from the basement back to my room.

I was shivering so violently that even three heavy blankets couldn't warm me.

Using the last ounce of my strength, I dialed Julian's number.

It rang for an eternity before he finally picked up.

"Julian... please save me... I'm so cold..."

My voice was so faint I could barely hear it myself.

From the other end came Bella's sweet, melodic giggle.

Julian's voice through the speaker was colder than ice.

"Chloe, Bella has a low-grade fever right now."

"Can you stop acting jealous for once?"

"Do you really think faking sick to get my attention is amusing?"

Click.

The line went dead.

Those were the very last words I ever heard in this world.

The door clicked open.

Victoria walked in carrying a thermos.

The rage on her face had vanished, replaced by an affectionate smile.

"Bella, sweetie, Mom brewed some gourmet bird's nest soup for you."

"Drink it while it's hot. It'll restore your energy."

As she ladled the soup, she grumbled under her breath.

"That wretched girl is getting out of control."

"Just wait until she comes home. I'm going to break her legs."

Lucas let out a cold snort.

"Mom, you've always spoiled her too much."

"We can't let her off easy this time."

"We need to make her drop to her knees and apologize to Bella, and then draw a thousand milliliters of blood as punishment."

Julian adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses.

"I've already had all her cards frozen."

"I've also notified the major hotels and airlines."

"She has no money, nowhere to go, and no way out."

"Before tonight is over, she'll call me begging for mercy."

He glanced at his luxury watch.

His voice carried the absolute calm of a man who held all the cards.

"We'll wait right here."

"Let's see how long her stubborn pride lasts."

I looked down at my translucent hands.

They would be waiting for that phone call forever.

Because dead people don't make calls.