Chapter 3

There was only one week left until Christmas.

During that time, Elton went out with Kirsten almost every single day.

When he returned home one evening, he took a thick stack of cash he'd withdrawn from the bank and stuffed it into an envelope. Then, he tossed it in front of me.

In the past, I would have stubbornly kept asking Elton if he wanted to come home with me. I wouldn't give up until the very last moment.

But this time, I simply stared calmly at the bulging envelope on the table.

The truth was, Mom's illness was already beyond treatment, so this money meant little to her now. All she wanted was for me to live a happy and peaceful life.

Elton seemed to have expected me to make a scene, but my silence caught him off guard. When I made no move to take the envelope, he pursed his lips and spoke first.

"Julianne, this is the last year. I've decided to admit defeat early. At worst, I'll just give up my shares in the company. Hasn't Mrs. Blanchard always wanted to see us get married? Once this year is over, we'll get married."

His words did nothing to stir my heart. If anything, I found them rather ironic.

"Didn't you say you wanted to keep playing this game for the rest of your life? Could you really bear to end it now?" I retorted.

Elton's expression darkened as he struggled to keep his anger in check.

"Christmas is almost here. I don't want to argue with you. It's just a game. We've spent all these years doing things this way, haven't we? Kirsten said that once she and I officially register our marriage, the game will be over."

My fingers curled slightly at my sides. I couldn't help glancing at the photograph of Elton and me hanging on the wall.

He and Kirsten were going to register their marriage?

I'd been with Elton for ten years, but I'd never had the chance to propose or give him the ring.

Yet, all it took was one word from Kirsten, and Elton was practically tripping over himself to go marry her.

I let out a bitter laugh. "Why don't we just break up? After all, you and Kirsten are much better suited to each other."

Elton's eyes widened slightly. He clearly thought I was being unreasonable again.

I no longer had the energy to argue with him, so I turned and went back to my room to pack for my trip home.

While sorting through the supplements I'd bought for Mom, I suddenly realized they were missing. All that was left was an empty bag.

My head began to buzz.

Just then, Kirsten's voice came from the living room.

I strode out of the room.

"Which one of you touched my stuff?" I asked.

When Kirsten saw the empty bag in my hand, realization dawned on her.

"Oh, you mean what's inside? The last time I came over, I thought the smell was too strong and assumed it was rubbish, so I threw it away. I asked Elton about it, and he said it wasn't anything important either."

My anger erupted instantly. I glared at them with bloodshot eyes and roared, "Those were the supplements I'd bought for Mom!"

I'd visited stores in several different cities to find them. I'd even called in favors just to gather everything she needed. And yet Kirsten had simply thrown them away!

Elton said indifferently, "They're just supplements. Whatever you're missing, I'll have someone buy you another one."

I had no desire to argue with him anymore.

I frantically searched through the drawers, checking whether Kirsten had thrown away anything else. I was so preoccupied that I didn't even have time to answer when my phone, which I'd left on the table, started ringing.

By the time I looked up, Kirsten was already holding my phone and waving it at me. Then, she answered the call.

Mom's frail, elderly voice came through the other end.

"Julianne, when are you coming home?"

My pupils contracted, and I immediately shouted in anger, "Kirsten!"

"Mrs. Blanchard, Elton won't be going to your place for Christmas this year either. Who, me? I'm just a friend of Julianne's. Elton and I are about to register our marriage."

Before Kirsten could finish speaking, I snatched my phone back. My hand trembling, I called out to Mom.

"Mom, don't listen to her nonsense! Mom?"

There was nothing but silence on the other end.

I looked down at my phone and discovered that the call had already been disconnected.

A sudden wave of panic washed over me.

Elton stood frozen for a long moment. Even he hadn't expected Kirsten to go that far.

The next second, I received a message from Mom's neighbor, Sue Conley.

"Julianne, Mrs. Blanchard has fainted. I'm taking her to the hospital right now. Hurry back."