Chapter 9

I had bruised myself black and blue, but Sophia saw right through my lie at a glance.

She trembled with anger, and for two whole days, no matter what I did, I couldn't escape her scolding.

Finally, I hid under the covers, sobbing, "You only know how to yell at me... If you're so tough, take me to see my mom. Let's see if she doesn't tear into you."

The room fell silent.

Sophia gently lifted the blanket, her fingers threading through my hair. "When you're a little better, we'll go see her," she whispered, her voice so tender it shattered my heart.

I knew it was a kind lie.

I knew I wouldn't live to see that day.

But I still nodded and smiled, pretending to believe in that promise.

I started taking pills frantically, my arms covered in needle marks and bruises.

Emily Johnson stood in the doorway, watching, before suddenly slamming the door shut.

Late at night, their argument pierced through the hospital room.

"He's like this, and you won't even grant him his last wish?"

"Emily Johnson! Are you just waiting for him to die? So you can run off with that gigolo?"

I stared at the ceiling, wishing for the first time that death would come sooner.

I stopped mentioning my mother, but life was slipping away faster than ever.

My moments of clarity grew fewer—it was time to say my goodbyes.

Strangely, though the pain worsened, my mind had never been clearer.

Ethan Miller finally couldn't hold back.

He barged in when Emily was gone.

Sophia snatched up the IV stand, ready to swing. "Get out!"

But Ethan dropped to his knees beside my bed, tears streaming. "Lucas, please... Emily is pregnant with my child. Just... have mercy."

Three months.

All this time, while I was sick, they had been tangled up together.

I should've known.

To her, a dying man was nothing but a con.

Ethan suddenly grabbed my arm, yanking so hard I nearly fell off the bed.

Sophia lunged forward to shield me, but he shoved her back.

With the last of my strength, I kicked him.

Then came the sharp click of heels at the door—Emily's gaze was like a poisoned blade.

"What did I tell you?"

she asked, each word deliberate.

Ethan's face paled.

Sophia hurled a pillow at them. "Get out! Both of you, get out!"

Her screams echoed through the room.