Chapter 4

Cillian's POV

My mind went blank. "Mom, I didn't—"

Before I could finish my sentence, Mom's cries ground to a halt. My heart clenched violently.

Earlier that year, her health had taken a sharp turn for the worse. In less than six months, she'd been admitted to the ICU several times.

I'd given up the chance to pursue a postgraduate degree at my college and chosen to look for a job because I wanted to start earning as soon as possible and afford her better medical care.

By the time I rushed to the hospital, she was already at death's door. "Cillian, did you really come between someone else's relationship—"

Before she could finish, she passed out cold.

"No, I didn't! I swear I didn't..." I cried out in anguish. I rushed Mom into the emergency room, then went to settle the hospital bill with my debit card.

Several minutes later, the clerk handed the card back to me. "Sir, there's not a single cent in this account."

"How's that possible?"

I had saved up all the scholarship I'd earned over four years of college in that account, and I had never touched it.

Marcus hurried over and looked surprised when he witnessed this scene. "Oh, I forgot to tell you; I've already applied to have your scholarship revoked through the college's finance office. You've been expelled, after all. It should go to a more deserving student."

I kept my tears at bay and called the company where I'd secured an internship, hoping to request an advance on my salary.

Yet, I was met with the manager's cold voice. "We've received a report about your misconduct. Your behavior has seriously damaged the company's reputation, so your job offer has been rescinded!"

The dial tone blaring in my ear hit me like a sledgehammer.

I yanked Marcus by the collar and bellowed, "What did I ever do to you? Why are you doing this to me?"

Celine happened to witness this scene. She immediately pushed me away and planted herself in front of Marcus.

Her face flushed crimson as she fumed, "I've already sent someone to cover the hospital bill. Why are you taking your anger out on Marcus?"

I stumbled back a couple of steps. Before I could regain my balance, I heard Celine's apathetic voice. "Apologize to Marcus."

I raised my head and stared at her in disbelief.

Yet, she leaned into Marcus' arms and said matter-of-factly, "At the end of the day, Marcus is my fiancé. You've been challenging my limits by picking on him time and time again.

"Now, apologize to him until he forgives you. If not, I'll have the doctors stop all treatment right this instant!"

Marcus suddenly chuckled. "Forget it. Do you remember what we said when we were kids, Cillian? Whoever makes a mistake has to do whatever the other person orders. Get down on your knees and beg for my forgiveness, and we'll call it even."

Recalling Mom's frail, emaciated body, I swallowed my pride and dropped to my knees in front of Marcus.

"That's enough! Your mother was just wheeled into her room. You may go check on her," Celine snapped when she watched me reduced to such a humiliating state.

Before he left, Marcus shot me a meaningful look. I didn't have time to think much of it. I scrambled to my feet and sprinted into the ward, only to see Mom's body being wheeled out beneath a plain white sheet.

My last thread of sanity snapped in an instant. "I thought you said she'd been resuscitated! How could this happen?"

The doctor wore a sorrowful expression. "The patient's condition had stabilized, but a man snuck into her ward earlier and told her something. Then, she became so agitated that she couldn't catch her breath and died of sheer anger. What a shame…"

Marcus' malicious look from earlier stabbed into my heart like a knife.

My legs gave out, and I sank to the floor in utter despair. I bawled my eyes out until I lost my voice.

…

Third-person POV

When Celine returned to college with Marcus, everyone around them was gossiping about Cillian being a side piece.

Countless vile insults filled her ears. Her brows drew together, and she was just about to tell them to shut up when a group of police officers suddenly rushed over and surrounded her and Marcus. "You're under suspicion of premeditated murder. Please come with us!"