Chapter 3
Looking at Dominic’s suddenly tensed jawline, I smiled again. "But I know that wouldn't be you. My brother would never lie to me, right?"
Guilt flashed in his eyes.
He broke eye contact, his voice tight and unnatural.
"Of course not. Scarlett, you're the only real blood I have left. I would never lie to you."
*Is that so? Then why did you tear your own flesh and blood apart for a girl with none of it in her veins? *
Do you have any idea the kind of hell I’ve dragged myself through these past five years?
I just hope that when you finally learn the truth, you won't regret it.
I forced down the bitter pain surging behind my eyes.
Before the tears could fall, I pushed his wheelchair out of the room.
When I came out of the kitchen after cooking, the living room was empty.
I walked toward his bedroom door and heard him speaking in a low voice on the phone.
"Just be good, okay? I've set up the biggest birthday bash for you. I'll be there to celebrate with you personally tomorrow."
On the other end, Lena feigned concern.
"But tomorrow is Scarlett's birthday too. Won't she be mad if you don't stay with her?"
"Don't be silly. You are my only precious sister. Your happiness is what matters most," Dominic said softly. "Scarlett hasn't celebrated her birthday in five years. She's used to it. One more year won't make a difference."
Lena cheered through the speaker.
"I knew you loved me the most!"
I stood in the hallway, a wave of violent dizziness crashing over me from pure fury.
Lately, the blinding headaches and vertigo had been hitting more and more often.
Deep down, I had this sinking feeling that my body was on the verge of collapsing for good.
Desperate to get out before I dropped, I quickly tore off my apron and walked away.
When Dominic came out, I was already gone.
On the table sat a bowl of mushy pasta and a pill from the Swiss lab.
He knew I had to rush to my fifth under-the-table shift of the day.
Thinking of the fresh cuts on my palms, my unnaturally pale face, and my painfully thin back while I was cooking, panic suddenly hit him.
He realized, with a jolt, that he couldn't even remember what I looked like when I was bright, confident, and full of life.
A sharp pain stabbed his chest.
An unspeakable sense of unease and guilt quietly washed over him.
No. I have to end this right now and put everything back the way it was.
He grabbed his phone and quickly dialed a number.
The next day, I took Dominic to the clinic for his checkup.
His attending doctor looked thrilled. "Scarlett, we just got the news! A private lab in Switzerland has developed a new targeted drug for ALS."
"The clinical trials are highly successful. They're only taking two patients, and I managed to secure a spot for Dominic."
Compared to his enthusiasm, I just nodded calmly. "What are the chances of recovery?"
"Eighty percent."
Dominic played his part perfectly, shedding tears of joy. "Scarlett, I can recover. I can stay with you forever."
I forced a smile. "If only one of us could live, Dominic... I'd always want it to be you."
He froze.
He seemed terrified by how serious I looked. He frowned and scolded me.
"Don't say nonsense like that. We're both going to live long lives. When I get better, I'll rebuild the Moretti syndicate. You'll be the princess of the family again."
But I didn't want to be a princess anymore.
And I didn't want you either, brother.
I'm leaving it all to Lena.
The doctor used the excuse of a long examination to send me out of the office.
In the past, I believed it.
I would leave him at the clinic for his tests while I rushed to work my underground jobs.
Now I knew it was just an excuse to get rid of me.
I stood around the corner of the empty hallway.
I watched as Dominic changed out of his hospital gown and eagerly stepped into the elevator.
Downstairs, a SUV was already waiting for him.
I numbly pulled my gaze away and walked into another doctor's office.
"Miss Moretti, your brain tumor has grown too large for surgery. If it were two weeks ago, there might have been hope."
The doctor sighed heavily. "You only have a couple of days left. Go say your goodbyes to your family."
I stayed quiet for a long time before nodding gently.
"When I die, please have me cremated immediately. Send the ashes to the Moretti Estate in Long Island. Give them to Don Dominic Moretti."
Leaving the last bit of cash I had to pay the bill, I walked out of the hospital.
A text popped up on my phone.
"Come to the estate and see."
It was from Lena.
I took a cab to the most exclusive area in Long Island.
Five years.
I thought our home had been seized by rival gangs and the banks long ago.
But right now, it was lit up and bustling.
Guests were everywhere. The luxury was blinding.
Standing entirely alone outside the wrought-iron gates, it felt like we were in two completely different worlds.
Lena was wearing a custom diamond tiara and an exclusive haute couture gown.
She held Dominic's arm, looking blissfully happy.
They were surrounded by guests in front of a massive, six-tier raspberry truffle cake—the exact flavor I used to love as a kid.
Behind her was a wall of expensive gifts.
She clasped her hands together and made a wish. "I wish to be Dominic's only sister for the rest of my life. To be his little princess forever."
Dominic smiled and pulled a velvet box from his pocket.
The moment he opened it, the blood in my veins turned to ice.
