Chapter 3

It took everything I had to drag the two suitcases down the stairs.

I could hear Damian's scoffing comment from behind me.

"I never know what she's thinking… Does she really think she can get whatever she wants by acting out like this? Don't tell me she'll come back crying after three days because she can't handle it!"

I didn't know when, but the sky had turned gray. Cold rain battered the windows.

I originally wanted to grab an umbrella, but Damian's words were so hurtful I could hardly breathe. In the end, I left without the umbrella, stepping straight into the pouring rain. The downpour was so strong that it soaked me completely in seconds. Rain blurred my vision, turning the road ahead into a hazy smear.

Damian chased after me, his voice cutting through the rain, his tone commanding.

"Listen, Seraphina. There's still time to turn back. As long as you promise never to hurt Vivian again, we can still treat you as a younger sister."

I looked up, my voice shaking but resolute, "But I'm your fated mate, Damian! I was never just your sister!"

My words seemed to enrage him. His face went cold. "You're still clinging to that lie, even now? You really disappointed me, Seraphina!"

I couldn't tell if the water on my face was rain or tears. Beneath my soaked coat, the scabbed wounds on my arms were torn open again, blood seeping through. It was the scar from the day I tumbled down the stairs with Vivian as I tried to catch her as she fell.

But I felt nothing, just numbness.

I gripped my suitcases and walked on, step by step. I didn't know where I was going, only that I had to leave.

"Seraphina!" Vivian's voice, choked with tears, called after me. She came running out, ready to put on another show of innocence and kindness.

Damian's voice, filled with urgency, followed. "Get back inside! You're still sick! You'll only make it worse by going into the rain!"

For a second, I almost thought he was worried about me. But then, he shattered that last illusion.

"Ethan, tell the maid to make Vivian something hot and get her a blanket."

I tried to curl my lips into a smile, but it looked more like a grimace than anything else. My vision began to darken. Maybe it was the sleepless night. Or maybe it was the freezing rain.

My legs buckled, and just as I was about to collapse, a strong arm caught me. Suddenly, the downpour above my head vanished. I looked up with effort, and only after a moment did I realize who it was.

It was Leo, my senior.

His car was parked right there in the rain, headlights shining through the storm warmly. Without a word, he took my suitcases and loaded them into the trunk.

Damian stood at the door, sneering. His voice was somehow trembling with suppressed anger, "So this is why you left so easily. You've already found a backup plan. You're so promiscuous!"

I never expected Leo to show up. He must have come just to see how bad I messed things up. Leo's eyes flashed with anger as he took in my soaked clothes and bleeding arm.

"Why are you still hung up on a mate like him?" he said indignantly. "You're leaving in a few days, anyway…"

I cut him off quickly, panic in my voice, "Leo! That's enough!"

I couldn't let Leo continue. Otherwise, Damian would just see my heartbreak as a staged act.

Leo fell silent, then opened the car door and pushed me inside the warm interior. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Damian's expression turn dark as he walked forward.

"Leo, what's the meaning of this?"

Leo shot him a cold glare and scoffed, "What do I mean? You'll figure it out soon enough in a few days. For now, get out of my way."

My heart skipped a beat.

Damian just stood there, as if he couldn't process what was happening. Only when the engine started did he suddenly lunge forward, grabbing at the door on my side.

However, Leo had already locked it.

Through the rain-splattered window, I could barely make out Damian's tightly furrowed brows and his desperation.

"Seraphina, get out of the car!"

His face was twisted in anger, but there was something else I couldn't quite decipher.

Even so, I didn't want to try to understand it anymore.

By now, me leaving meant nothing to him.

I closed my eyes, refusing to look back.

Damian's calls came through almost immediately, but I didn't hesitate to switch off my phone.

Maybe it was time for a new number—and a new life.