Chapter 4

Over the next few days, I moved like a ghost through the city, wrapping up my affairs.

I sold my properties, my car, and even the expensive jewelry Julian had gifted me over the years.

With the proceeds, I established a trust fund for blind children.

Since my own eyes were failing, I wanted to help others see the beauty of the world I was leaving behind.

On the fourth afternoon, I walked out of the private clinic after my final session of palliative chemotherapy. I was so weak that my legs trembled with every step.

Just as I reached the pavement, a bright red sports car screeched to a halt right in front of me.

The window rolled down, revealing Blair. She wore oversized designer sunglasses, a sweet but venomous smirk plastered on her face.

"Sera! What a coincidence. Are you here for a checkup?"

She scanned my pale, skinny frame with smug satisfaction.

"Julian told me you’ve been throwing a tantrum lately and told me to ignore you. But I’m just too soft-hearted. I felt bad for you, so I wanted to deliver some news in person."

She took off her sunglasses, grabbed a document from the passenger seat, and tossed it out the window. It fluttered down, landing right at my feet.

"The Southside Heights project is officially under my name now."

I stared down at the paper bearing Julian’s personal signature seal. My heart didn't even ache. It was completely numb.

"Blair, does taking my leftovers really bring you this much joy?" I asked quietly.

Blair’s smile stiffened for a second, then her smirk widened.

"Sera, keep playing tough. Julian’s heart is with me. Your money, your project, your necklace—they are all mine now. All it takes is one tear from me, and he will crush you under his shoe."

"Don't believe me? Watch. If I call him right now and say I’m feeling dizzy, he will abandon his multi-billion-dollar board meeting and run to my side instantly."

She pulled out her phone, dialed Julian’s number, and switched to speakerphone.

"Julian..." her voice instantly transformed into a fragile, breathless whimper. "I’m outside the municipal hospital... I suddenly feel so dizzy, and my chest hurts..."

On the other end of the line, Julian’s voice was instantly frantic. In the background, I could hear his executives whispering during a presentation.

"Blair? What's wrong? Don't panic, I'm on my way! Stay right there!"

The call disconnected.

Blair looked at me triumphantly. "See? That is exactly how much you matter to him."

I looked at her face, warped by greed and malice, and felt nothing but pity.

I didn't answer her. I turned to hail a cab.

But before I could open the passenger door, loud, frantic footsteps echoed behind me.

"Sera! What did you do to her?!"

I turned around. Julian had arrived in record time. He wasn't even wearing his suit jacket, his tie was loose, and sweat dripped down his forehead as he rushed over and shielded Blair behind him.

He glared at me with pure rage, as if I were a monster.

"Blair only came here for a routine checkup! Why did you push her?!"

I froze.

"Push her?"

I looked at Blair standing perfectly fine behind him, clutching her chest with tears streaming down her face.

"Julian, please don't blame Sera... I just lost my balance... She’s just angry with me, so she barely touched me..."

Her acting was truly Oscar-worthy.

"Julian, with which eye did you see me push her?" I asked coldly.

"If you didn't push her, why is she having chest pains? Sera, your jealousy has turned you into an unrecognizable, bitter hag!" Julian roared.

Another wave of agony hit my head. The world spun, and I had to grip the car door tightly to keep from collapsing.

"Believe whatever you want."

I didn't have the energy to argue. I bent down and climbed into the cab. "Driver, please go."

As the taxi pulled away, I looked in the rearview mirror. Julian was lifting Blair into his arms, carrying her frantically toward the emergency room.

He didn't even notice the small pool of fresh blood left on the concrete where I had been standing.