Chapter 3

【1】

Jaxton looked at me, a flicker of panic flashing in his eyes before it quickly disappeared. He took off his apron and sneered, "Aren't you supposed to be dying? Why are you back? I don't want you dying in my house; it's a bad omen."

Yes, I was dying, but he didn't believe it. Not that it mattered; he actually wished I would die somewhere else. His hatred for me ran deep.

I forced a smile. "Don't worry, I won't let you see me die."

"Since that's the case, get out of this house right now," Jaxton suddenly snapped.

"Jaxton, don't be so harsh on Miss Lilah. She's here to celebrate your birthday," Caylee said, showing him the cake I had brought.

Jaxton paused, looking at the small cake meant for just two people. After only a brief moment of silence, he snatched the cake from Caylee's hands and smashed it onto the floor.

He glared at me fiercely. "I don't need anything from you. The more you try to please me, the more I despise you."

"Don't think that doing these things will make me forgive you for what you've done in the past."

I always felt helpless in the face of Jaxton's disdain. He stomped on the birthday cake I had carefully chosen for him, as if crushing my dignity.

I looked at the cake on the floor, my heart aching. My vision darkened, and I swayed, barely managing to steady myself by holding onto the table.

"Jaxton, I didn't do that thing. I've never tried to manipulate you," I said weakly as my heart began to hurt again. "If you don't believe me, you can ask your friends."

"If you don't want to ask, that's fine. After I die, you can slowly uncover the truth about that matter."

It wouldn't be long before I was gone. If I could clear up the misunderstanding between Jaxton and me before my life ended, it would at least be one regret resolved.

【2】

Perhaps seeing how weak I was, Jaxton didn't immediately retort. But as I sat down, he snorted coldly. "Your acting is getting so good, it's making me sick."

He picked up his coat and glanced at me. "This house smells like you, and it's disgusting."

"Caylee and I are going out to eat. You can have the scraps."

Jaxton took Caylee's hand right in front of me. The sight stung my eyes, and I wished I could get up and separate them, but I was in too much pain to move.

As he walked past me, I grabbed his hand. "Jaxton... my heart hurts, please help me..."

Sweat soaked my hair as I lay on the table, my vision blurring until I could barely see anything around me.

Through the dizziness, I vaguely saw Jaxton sneer at me.

"Are you addicted to acting?"

"If it really hurts, then just drop dead. At least I won't have to see your disgusting face anymore."

I was on the verge of passing out, but his voice was so cold that it pierced through the ringing in my ears.

He shook off my hand and walked out with Caylee.

"Jaxton... Jaxton! Help me..." I called out with all my strength, hoping he would turn back.

But in the end, my voice became so faint that even I couldn't hear it.

【3】

Jaxton never looked back, resolutely leaving with Caylee. I heard the sound of the door locking from the outside, and a wave of fear washed over me.

He was going to lock me in the house.