Chapter 4

Years ago, every doctor in the oncology department told me I was the luckiest girl alive.

As long as I took care of myself after the transplant, I could live a long, normal life.

But before my anesthesia had even fully worn off, I was betrayed and abandoned by the two people I trusted most.

Later, Vicky and I had a fight that shattered everything.

She called me an ungrateful leech.

She shoved me so hard I fell into a patch of thorny bushes.

I ran a high fever for a week, and then I packed my bags and left the city alone.

Every time I closed my eyes, I saw their faces.

I couldn't sleep.

I started taking more and more sleeping pills.

By the time I finally went for a blood test, my numbers were already a disaster.

I tried so hard to cooperate with the doctors. I fought with everything I had just to stay alive.

But my condition only got worse by the day...

I wished more than anyone that this diagnosis report was a fake.

Ethan gripped the paper tightly, staring at me. "Chloe, why aren't you saying anything? Are you feeling guilty?"

A heavy weight pressed on my chest, and every vein in my body throbbed with pain.

I didn't have the energy to fight him anymore. I shrugged.

"Yeah. It's fake."

"I just wanted Vicky to suffer every single day..."

Slap!

Ethan's hand slammed across my face.

My head whipped to the side, my eyes landing on the scattered flowers on the floor.

Ethan's voice was as cold as ice.

"If Vicky hadn't been worried about your feelings, I would have broken up with you years ago!"

"You already pushed her to the edge of a rooftop once. I won't let you do it again!"

I let out a breathless, raspy laugh, my eyes blurring with tears again.

"If you love her so much, why did you make her cry?"

Ethan's eyes flickered with guilt.

Vicky quietly took two steps away from him, her face completely pale.

A bitter wave of resentment washed over me.

Why did I have to play the villain in their twisted love story when I was the one dying?

Ethan tore the diagnosis report to shreds, his face red with embarrassment and anger.

"You ungrateful bitch. You're the one who made her cry!"

Vicky looked at me with pleading eyes. "Chloe, let's go to the hospital. Let's get you checked."

Ethan sneered. "Vicky, have you forgotten? She loves faking illnesses."

Loves it?

In my entire life, I had only faked being sick once.

It was after I dragged Vicky back from the edge of that rooftop. She had locked herself in her room, refusing to see anyone.

I tried everything to make her smile, but she kept pushing me away.

Until I faked a high fever to trick her into leaving the house.

I led her to the Whispering Pines Overlook, where I had set up a small table covered in white roses for her.

She had held me and sobbed.

"Chloe, you have to be happy. You have to get the happiness I never could!"

The memories rushed back, hitting me like a physical blow.

Thinking of how much she used to love me, I silently sent that blessing back to her.

I said, "There's no need for an exam. The report is fake."

As long as I died quietly, Vicky would get her happy ending.

Both of them let out a visible sigh of relief.

"Ethan, I need to talk to Chloe alone. Please wait outside."

Ethan looked reluctant, but he finally walked out.

I was so exhausted. I leaned against the counter for support, my face completely drained of color.

"Vicky, I have nothing to say to you."

But Vicky stepped forward, burying her face in my shoulder, weeping with a lifetime of insecurity.

"He calls your name in his sleep."

"Not just once..."

My breath caught in my throat. I couldn't believe it.

Vicky whispered that she had confronted him about it.

Ethan had denied it instantly, unable to look her in the eye.

Vicky took my hand and pressed it against her slightly rounded stomach.

"Chloe, please help me. Help my baby."

If I died, would they finally be happy?