Chapter 4

“Fine, fine. I lost this round.”

Justin walked over and gave Yale a kick.

“What’s with that look?

“We only added a little peanut to the cake because we knew you were allergic. We made a bet to see if you’d actually eat it.

“Who knew you’d be dumb enough to eat it?”

A bet?

All this pain was because of a stupid bet!

Yale grabbed his throat with both hands. He could barely breathe. His chest felt like it was about to burst.

Moon realized something was wrong. Her expression changed.

“He only had one bite. How could his reaction be this severe?

“Justin, give him his allergy medicine!”

Justin rolled his eyes. He reluctantly took out the medicine and shoved it into Yale’s mouth.

Yale felt the tightness in his throat get worse. The pain was unbearable.

He could not take it anymore. He turned his head and spat out blood.

Just before he lost consciousness, he saw the coldness on Moon’s face crack. She rushed toward him in a panic and caught him in her arms.

When Yale woke up again, he was in the hospital.

Yale moved his arm, and it woke the woman beside him.

“You’re awake!”

A hint of relief flashed in Moon’s eyes. She reached out to touch his cheek but stopped herself.

“Justin gave you the wrong medicine. It made your allergic reaction worse.

“I can make it up to you. What do you want?”

For the first time in five years, Yale saw a softness and guilt in her eyes.

“Do you want me to get treatment for my memory loss sooner? Don’t worry, I—”

Yale cut her off and said, “I want money.”

Moon froze. “What did you say?”

Yale said again, “I said, if you want to make it up to me, give me money.”

Moon stared at him. Once she realized he was serious, she scoffed. She pulled out a card and threw it at his face.

“I should’ve known what kind of person you are!

“If you want money, take it. From now on, stay by my side and show Justin some respect.”

She left the hospital room after that.

She did not come back for more than ten days.

Justin, however, kept sending Yale texts.

[Do you know what Moon is doing right now?]

[She’s with me.]

Justin sent him several photos in a row.

Moon looked happy in every photo.

She watched the sunrise with him from a mountaintop and held his hand as they made wishes outside a church. She even went on a road trip with him along West Ridge Highway.

Yale looked through the photos one by one. His eyes stung badly.

He loved traveling. He used to plan trips with Moon all the time.

Back then, Moon was always busy.

She had to deal with problems within the Xavier family and handle pressure from all sides. She was so busy that all she could do was hold him and say, “After the wedding, I’ll take you anywhere you want to go.”

When she finally had the time, she chose to spend it with Justin.

Yale whispered to himself, “Are you doing all this to get back at me, or have you really fallen for Justin? Moon, can you even tell the difference?”

He let out a bitter laugh and closed his chat with Justin.

He transferred the money Moon had given him to Liam as payment for ending his contract early. Then, he booked plane tickets for himself and Daniel.

‘Forget it,’ he thought.

He did not have the energy to keep trying to understand it all.

Whatever had happened between him and Moon ended here.

Yale never expected Cody to rush into his hospital room that night.

“Yale, Moon was hurt by someone who has a grudge against her.” Cody looked frantic. “The blood bank is running low. You have the same rare blood type as her. Please, save her!”

Yale looked at him. “Would it make a difference if I said no?”

Cody went silent for a moment. “I’m sorry.”

He signaled the bodyguards to hold Yale down.

A long needle pierced Yale’s arm. Blood flowed into the collection bag.

Yale’s forehead was beaded with sweat. His face grew paler and paler. Soon, his vision became blurry.

“Cold…

“Moon, Cody, I… I’m so cold…”

Cody froze. He could barely bring himself to look at Yale.

The doctor beside them grew anxious.

“He’s already very weak. If you take any more blood, his life will be in danger!”

“We’re doing this to save Moon. Yale will understand.” Cody clenched his fists. Tears glinted in his eyes. “Keep going!”

Once they had taken enough blood, Cody hurried away.

Yale lay unconscious in the hospital bed all night.

At dawn, his fingers moved. He struggled to lift his heavy eyelids.

The first thing he saw was Moon’s icy face.

“You weren’t hurt…”

Moon let out a cold laugh. She grabbed him by the throat.

“I lied to Cody and told him I needed blood. I wanted to see if you’d refuse to save me again.

“Guess what? Cody said Justin was the only one who gave his blood without hesitation!

“Yale, couldn’t you do something for me just once? Just once!”

Yale’s face turned red. He flung her hand away.

“Stop… You’re crazy!”

“Crazy? Yes. I’m crazy!”

Moon let go of him. Then, she reached for his clothes and started pulling at them.

Yale’s eyes turned red. He grabbed the water glass beside the bed and smashed it against her head.

Moon had to step back. She touched her forehead.

Her fingers felt wet.

Yale’s chest rose and fell. His hands trembled as he rolled up his sleeve and held out his arm.

His arm was covered with needle marks.

All the hurt and bitterness he had kept inside for so long finally burst out.

He shouted, “I never abandoned you five years ago! I was the one who gave you blood today too!”