Chapter 4

Sera's POV

The moment I walked out of the Apex Tech tower, my phone rang. It was the Icelandic Embassy.

"Miss Vance, your artist residency visa has been expedited and approved. You can book your flight whenever you are ready."

"Thank you." I hung up and booked a one-way ticket to Reykjavik for three days later.

During those three days, I didn't see Ethan once.

I quietly canceled the lease on my studio, let my assistant go, and listed everything I couldn't take with me on eBay for dirt cheap.

The evening of the third day was our five-year anniversary.

In the past, no matter how busy Ethan was, he would cancel every meeting to cook dinner for me.

But tonight, the kitchen was cold, and the apartment was as silent as a tomb.

At 8 PM, my phone rang. It was Julian.

"Miss Vance, Mr. Thorne is hosting a gathering at the penthouse of The Obsidian Club tonight. He said it's to celebrate your five-year anniversary. He wants you to come over right away." Julian's voice sounded incredibly strained.

I wanted to say no, but then I thought. This would be the last time I would ever see him.

Consider it a final goodbye.

I changed into a simple black dress and took a cab to The Obsidian.

When I pushed open the heavy doors of the VIP suite, the room was dimly lit and thick with cigar smoke. Half of Manhattan's elite young crowd was there, but the atmosphere was weirdly quiet.

I immediately saw Ethan sitting in the center.

He sat with his legs crossed, holding a glass of Cabernet. In his lap was a fluffy, snow-white Ragdoll cat.

Chloe sat next to him, waving a cat toy, smiling brightly.

The moment I saw that cat, the blood drained from my face. I took a sharp step back, my spine hitting the cold door.

I have a life-threatening allergy to cat dander. It triggers severe anaphylactic asthma that can suffocate me within minutes.

Ethan knew this.

Three years ago, when Apex Tech was just taking off, a billionaire investor brought his cat to a meeting. I had an allergic reaction on the spot. Ethan literally flipped the conference table, kicked the investor out, and threw away the multi-million dollar deal just to save me.

He had promised me back then: "No one will ever make you suffer again."

But today, he held that poison in his own arms.

"Ethan, Sera is here," Chloe purred, her smile widening.

Ethan looked up, his eyes landing on my pale face. He frowned. "Why are you standing by the door? Come sit down."

I covered my nose and mouth, my voice shaking. "Get the cat out... Ethan, you know I'm allergic..."

"Sera, stop acting," Ethan scoffed, his voice filled with impatience. "Chloe loves cats, so I bought this for her. Your allergy was only because your immune system was weak back then. You've been living in luxury for years now; how could you still be allergic?"

The rich kids around the room laughed.

"Yeah, Sera, it's just a cat. Ethan threw this party for your anniversary. Don't be a party pooper."

"Even Chloe doesn't mind you being here, what are you complaining about?"

Looking at Ethan's cold, indifferent face, the very last ember in my heart died.

Without another word, I turned to open the door and leave.

"Stop right there!" Ethan snapped. "Sera, if you walk out of that door tonight, don't you ever think about coming back!"

Just then, Chloe gasped, "Oh no! Snowflake, don't run!"

The Ragdoll cat broke free from Ethan's arms, streaking like white lightning straight toward me.

"Ah!"

I couldn't dodge in time. The cat's claws caught my dress, and a cloud of white dander exploded into the air around me.

Instantly, my airway began to swell and close.

I clutched my throat, collapsing to the floor, gasping desperately for air, but my lungs remained completely empty.

"Help... please..." My face turned blue, and I stretched my left hand toward Ethan in absolute terror.

Ethan's face paled, and he jumped up to rush to me.

"Ow! It hurts!"

Chloe suddenly screamed, crouching down and clutching her hand. "Ethan, the cat scratched me... there's blood. What if I get rabies? I'm so scared..."

Ethan froze in his tracks.

He looked at me, suffocating and twitching on the floor, and then at Chloe, who had a tiny, barely visible red scratch on her hand.

"Julian! Call the club's doctor! Chloe is bleeding!"

Ethan roared, turning his back on me to scoop Chloe up, rushing out of the room.

As he ran past me, his leather dress shoe stepped right onto my outstretched fingers.

My fingers throbbed, but I could barely feel the physical pain anymore.

Lying on the cold floor, my vision began to fade. Watching Ethan carry Chloe away, a single, final tear slipped down my cheek.

Ethan Thorne, you are truly heartless.