A Breath Away from Death

“What are you doing? We just called you out a bit, and now, you’re trying to post on Instagram to get people to attack us?”

Charlotte Whitmore’s friends snatched my phone away. When they could not unlock it, they threw it to the ground.

Ethan Cross stepped over the shattered phone. His face was dark, and he looked at me with a cold glare.

The pain made my vision go black. I cradled my chest and forced myself to kneel in front of Ethan.

“I didn’t do anything, Ethan. I was born with a heart condition. I think I’m having an attack. Please… call an ambulance.”

Ethan finally noticed something was wrong. His brow furrowed, but before he could move, Charlotte pulled him away.

“Ethan, your fiancee’s so inconsiderate! Everyone came here to celebrate my promotion, but she’s jealous and trying to ruin the party they threw for me.

“I knew Amelia never liked me. I invited her because I wanted to fix things between us, but she didn’t appreciate it. She’s showing everyone how nasty she can be. Ethan, if I’d known this would happen, I would’ve solely invited you.”

She gave me a scornful look and said, “You really know how to act, don’t you? Maybe try using that talent for acting instead of scheming and stirring up trouble.”

It became harder to breathe. I could hear my own ragged gasps, and it felt as if a heavy weight was pressing down on my chest and forcing out the last bit of air in me.

Ethan and Charlotte had grown up together. They had their own circle.

After we started dating, Ethan was so busy with mafia business and our relationship that he spent much less time with his friends.

Charlotte was unhappy about it. She often showed up uninvited whenever Ethan and I went out.

I brought that up with Ethan many times, but he never took it seriously.

“Charlotte’s like my sister. Don’t overthink it.”

Hearing that, Charlotte backed him up.

“Amelia, I’m only tagging along to help our friends decide if you’re right for Ethan. He’s already spent enough time on you. You can’t be this greedy.”

Charlotte’s words made me feel like if I loved Ethan, I would have to accept all his friends, even Charlotte herself.

But even though it was supposed to be my date with Ethan, we ended up doing the things Charlotte liked. We ate what she wanted and watched movies that she wanted to watch.

In the end, every date I had with Ethan left me trailing behind him and Charlotte.

If I showed even a little frustration, Charlotte would mock me for being petty and jealous.

Ethan grew increasingly impatient with me because of it.

I pulled myself back to the present. Charlotte looked at my pained face and raised her eyebrows in smugness.

“I get it, Amelia. You’re so used to being in the spotlight that you have to steal the show, don’t you?

“Today, the focus is on me, and since no one is cheering for you like your fans would, you’re putting on an act just to get attention.”

The guests at the party sneered at me. They were all Charlotte and Ethan’s friends.

They had always thought I was not good enough for Ethan and felt nothing but dislike toward me.

Some even took out their phones to record my miserable, pathetic state.

Ethan had been indifferent, but his impatience finally showed.

“Amelia, I know you don’t like Charlotte. I’ve already tried to keep you away from her. But her promotion party only lasts one day. Can’t you just bear with it for a few hours?”

The pain in my chest became unbearable. I could not even answer him.

My teeth chattered as I bit my lip hard enough to draw blood. The taste helped me stay conscious. I started crawling toward the door. I hoped someone outside could help me.

Charlotte’s cruel laugh echoed behind me.

“What’s wrong? You got exposed, and now that Ethan won’t defend you anymore, you’re embarrassed and trying to run away?”

Her words made the guests burst into laughter.

Ethan’s expression darkened even more.

Just before I reached the door, Charlotte grabbed my hair and yanked me back.

My weak body hit the champagne tower. Glasses fell to the ground, and champagne spilled all over me.

Charlotte covered her nose as she delighted in my misery. She looked both disgusted and smug.

“You call yourself the fiancee of a mafia boss? There’s a limit to playing the victim. Look at yourself, all miserable and pathetic! You’re making Ethan look bad!

“Ethan, your fiancee’s been causing trouble even before the wedding. Imagine what she’ll be like later. Today is the perfect chance to teach her a lesson.”

She threw me onto the ground that was covered in broken glass, like I was nothing but trash.

Ethan shot me a cold glare and said angrily, “Amelia, had enough? Stop pretending and get up!”

The next moment, he froze.

My face was deathly pale. Champagne and sweat soaked through my clothes. Small cuts from the glass shards on my pale arms left faint streaks of blood, but I did not make a sound.

“Amelia’s terrified of pain… Could it really be…”

Ethan did not know that I had no energy or strength to cry out.

Charlotte quickly grabbed a can of high-strength sports drink and forced it into my mouth without hesitation.

“It’s so hot, and this is an outdoor party. She’s suffering from heatstroke, yet she lies on the ground and continues to pretend. A cold drink will fix her right up!”

Suddenly, I felt like I was about to die.

My heart pounded violently, and my shoulders started shaking.

I gasped for air, but nothing reached my lungs. My throat let out harsh, ragged breaths.

The guests saw that something was wrong with me and stepped back in fear.

“She… she’s not actually dying, is she?”

Ethan’s eyes widened. His whole body trembled as he froze in place.