Chapter 3

Coming back to my senses, those sweet memories vanished like smoke in the wind.

I swallowed the lump in my throat, turned around, and walked out of the hospital without looking back.

This time, I went straight home.

After Sebastian’s so-called “accident,” he had begged me to move in with him.

“Sis,” he said one night, looking up at me with those pleading eyes, “I hate living alone. Can you stay with me? I want to see your face the second I wake up.”

Back then, my heart softened—and I agreed. But now, I couldn’t imagine stepping foot into that place again.

At home, I showered early and tried to relax, hoping the storm raging outside would drown out the storm inside my head. I’d always hated this kind of weather—loud, chaotic, unsettling.

Just as I climbed into bed, the doorbell rang.

It was followed by quiet, muffled sobs.

I sighed, pulled on a coat, and walked to the front door.

When I opened it, Sebastian stood there in the pouring rain, completely soaked. His hair clung to his forehead, water dripping from his lashes. His eyes were bloodshot, like a kicked puppy begging to be let back inside.

Beside him stood Tessa, equally drenched and visibly annoyed.

“Sis,” he whispered, shaking off Tessa’s grip and stepping toward me. “Why don’t you want me anymore?” His voice trembled. “I’ll be good. I swear. I won’t make you mad again. Please... don’t leave me.”

His gaze was pleading.

But I felt nothing.

Tessa’s face twisted with irritation. “Miss Remington,” she snapped, her tone icy. “Is this how you treat someone who saved your life? Have you forgotten who’s responsible for the way he is now? What kind of person just abandons him in a hospital like that?”

Then she turned to Sebastian, her voice suddenly softer. “Sebastian, open your eyes. The ‘sister’ you’re so obsessed with doesn’t give a damn about you. If she really cared, would she have just walked away?”

“That’s not true!” he shouted, but his voice wavered. He looked uncertain—like her words had hit a little too close to home.

He grabbed my hand again, gripping it tight. “You still love me, right? You’re the one who loves me most... right?”

Watching their performance, I wanted to laugh. Their coordination was flawless—so convincing, I might’ve believed it if I didn’t already know the truth.

Before I could even answer, Sebastian suddenly blurted out, “Sis, my mom always said—when two people love each other, they should get married. So... let’s get married! That way, no one can ever pull us apart!”

His voice was full of urgency. His eyes lit up with childish hope, like he really believed what he was saying.

I didn’t even flinch.

I used to fantasize about those words. I used to imagine hearing them under different circumstances—with real love, with real sincerity.

But now?

All I felt was disgust.

I glanced at Tessa’s face. There was something smug hiding beneath her carefully composed expression.

This wasn’t just some random outburst. It was calculated.

So I smiled—and played along.

“Okay,” I said.

Sebastian lit up like Christmas morning.

“Then let’s do it in a week!” he beamed. “I want to marry you as soon as possible!”

A week from now. The day Myles would return.

Heh. So that’s your plan, huh, Sebastian?

You want to squeeze out the very last drop of usefulness from me before tossing me aside?

Game on.