Chapter 5

I slept until midnight, then woke up hungry.

I went to the living room to find something to eat, only to discover Alistair was actually home.

He had bought Willow a big house.

They lived there together. Willow would cook for him, cheer him up, and wait for him to come home.

Alistair was living well; he hadn't been back in a long time.

He leaned lazily against the floor-to-ceiling window, staring intently at me.

I walked past him, eyes downcast, but he grabbed my arm.

He frowned, quietly asking, "How did you get so thin?"

His voice was gentle, as if he still loved me very much.

I froze for a moment, then forcefully yanked my hand away, snapping, "Alistair, what the hell is wrong with you?"

He looked at his empty palm, his face slowly turning cold.

When I walked to the dining table, I saw a cake covered in candles. Only then did I realize that call wasn't a dream.

I'd said I wanted cake, and Alistair had bought it.

What was this? An olive branch?

But I was already dying. I didn't need a cake anymore, and I certainly didn't need Alistair.

I grabbed the cake and tossed it into the trash can. Alistair frowned, then shoved me against the wall.

He snarled, "Elara, are you effing playing me?"

I smiled, admitting, "Alistair, yes, I am playing you. What's wrong with that?"

"I said I wanted cake, and you went and bought it. Are you still as pathetic as before?"

I deliberately twisted the knife, watching Alistair's face completely freeze over.

He violently grabbed my collar, dragged me into the bedroom, and slammed me onto the bed.

Alistair was probably insane with rage. He kissed my lips savagely, biting them until they bled.

I pushed him away, my voice icy, "Alistair, don't touch me! You're disgusting!"

He lunged back, burying his face in my neck, biting down hard. A sharp gasp of pain escaped me.

He whispered in my ear, "Elara, would it kill you to just give in for once?"

"Do you know how many years I've waited for you to comfort me?"

"Do you know how happy I was when you told me you wanted cake?"

"And then you treat me like a clown?"

He lifted his head, tears in his eyes, staring at me.

My eyes were red too, as I glared back.

In the dim room, neither of us spoke, neither willing to surrender first.

Alistair leaned closer, closer, about to kiss my lips when his phone suddenly rang.

It was Willow.

Alistair paused, then answered.

I heard Willow crying, "Alistair, are you really going to abandon me for Elara? You clearly like me."

"I'm at a bar right now, I've had so much to drink, and some guy is hitting on me..."

"I hate him so much. Please, come pick me up and take me home, okay?"

Alistair didn't say anything. He just stared at me, a cold smile on his face, and quietly commanded, "Elara, beg me."

"Beg me to stay. If you just beg me, I won't leave."

He seemed to have forgotten.

A long time ago, I too had swallowed my pride and begged him, "Alistair, can we just talk calmly for once?"

"Can we stop fighting?"

"Can we just be together, properly?"

"Can you, just be a little kinder to me?"

That day, Alistair had stared at me coldly, smiling as he said, "Elara, you're not worthy."

Those three words had pierced my heart.

Until today, when I could finally return them word for word.

I grabbed his collar and said, every word dripping with ice, "Alistair, *you're* not worthy."

Alistair fell silent for a moment, then suddenly gave a self-deprecating laugh.

He put the phone back to his ear and told Willow, "Wait for me. I'm coming to pick you up."

He didn't spare me another glance. He got up, slammed the door, and left.