Chapter 3

“There is nothing to say. It is exactly what you see. Greg, I don’t love you anymore.”

Greg’s eyes were bloodshot, and he ground his teeth so hard they nearly broke.

“Why? Luanne, tell me why, exactly.”

I sniffled, forcing myself to look up.

“You have absolutely nothing now. Why on earth should I still be blindly devoted to you?”

Back then, the sheer disappointment in Greg’s eyes almost burned right through me. The silhouette of his back as he slammed the door and walked away still haunts my mind to this day.

Right now, I bit down on the tip of my tongue, bit into my own lip, and used every single ounce of my strength trying to explain. However, I couldn’t bring myself to do it. As it turned out, that person’s words were true. My deal with him was a secret that could never be spoken aloud.

Tears streamed down my face like a dam. Looking at the emotions rapidly fading from the depths of Greg’s eyes, I gave a desolate smile.

“I can’t answer this question for now. But once I’m dead, you will find out.”

Once this version of me was dead, once he went to my funeral, and once he met Frank, he would understand everything.

Greg flicked his lighter open and sneered. “Luanne, I am no longer the same Greg who was played like a fool by you. Since you can’t give me a reason, don’t blame me for being heartless.”

With that, Greg grabbed me by the neck, forcing that bluish-purple flame right before my eyes. His gaze was ferocious, yet the hand holding the lighter trembled slightly, hesitating to bring it down.

Suddenly, a loud gasp rang out. Chloe’s high heel slipped, and she lost her balance and crashed into Greg. The lighter fell to the ground instantly, and the flame erupted with a loud whoosh.

A searing, scorching pain rapidly spread across my chest. Greg’s expression turned into pure panic, and he spun around to grab water from the table, but Chloe suddenly pulled him back.

“Greg, I think I sprained my ankle. It hurts so bad.”

He paused in his steps. After hesitating for only a single second, he crouched down and took off Chloe’s shoe.

“Don’t move. Let me rub it for you.”

There wasn’t even a red bump on Chloe’s ankle, whereas I was convulsing all over from the intense agony. Yet, Greg’s eyes were focused entirely on her. Even though my chest was unbearably hot, I felt as though I had plummeted into an ice cellar. Cold tears slid down from the corners of my eyes.

Eventually, the fire finally died out. After catching a glimpse of the skin that had been burned beyond recognition, everyone’s faces turned pale, and they couldn’t bear to stay any longer.

“Greg, the smell here is just too strong, and it’s making me dizzy. I’m going to head off first. I’ll make it up to you on another day when you’re free.”

“Me, too. I have some things to handle at home, so I’ll take off first.”

The bustling, lively room fell silent in an instant.

Chloe snuggled tightly into Greg’s embrace, speaking in a coquettish tone, “Greg, I feel much better now. Everyone else has left, so let’s leave too. Shall we go watch a movie together?”

Greg stared intently at the charred, blackened patch on my chest and gulped hesitantly. Chloe’s gaze darkened, and she hurriedly grabbed Greg’s arm.

“Just ignore her. She only came today to cause trouble. She hasn’t shown her face in ten years, and the moment she arrives, she ruins the mood for everyone. She sure is annoying.”

Greg pursed his lips. After a long moment of hesitation, he said in a deep voice, “I’ll take you home first, then I’ll take her to the hospital. Since your foot is injured, don’t go wandering around.”

The smile on Chloe’s face froze.

I stood up, pulling my clothes together to cover the wound.

“It’s fine. I only came here today to…”