003 How to slay A dragon

Scarlett’s POV

“The bone marrow transplantation was three months ago, silly,” Sebastian’s chuckle follows her request out to the empty hallway.

I put my hand on the doorknob, but I can’t seem to find the strength to turn it. I have seen how loving they are together, too many times for too long.

As if torturing myself, I just freeze there, listening.

“Today is just a regular checkup, and the result has been good every time before this, hmm?” Sebastian comforts.

I could see his tender smile in my head as he coaxed the love of his life, his powerful palm patting her on the head like she was the most delicate flower in the world.

That warmth and love are something I have had only once from him, and that one time I thought I touched the sun. For that one time of light I saw in my dark life, I threw myself to that sun, betting with everything I had.

And just like the sun, he burnt me.

No matter how much I loved him, no matter how much I did for him, I won’t ever get anything in return. Because he already paid the ultimate price: he married me, a woman he doesn’t love. And that makes everything okay.

“What if it failed...again?” Ava says in a crying tone.

Willebrand is not curable...yet. Sebastian basically bought this VIP ward for her, and spent the past five years coming up with one plan after another with the doctor he got her with a seven-digit salary, who is said to have made breakthroughs in curing Willebrand.

“Then we will keep trying,” Sebastian replies with all the tenderness in the world, “you know I won’t let anything happen to you.”

I can’t. I can’t enter. His words drain all the energy I can find in my limbs and I almost melt.

I knew he loved her. I was reminded of that every day for as long as I can remember. You’d think I should be numb to that pain by now. I wish. But my rebellious heart still hurts for him.

“I know you will. It’s just...” Ava mumbles, hesitatingly adding, “I won’t be able to be with you if I remain the imperfect vase...”

...one that breaks at the lightest touch. Usually, her words like this get everyone rushing over to comfort her.

Sebastian does not answer instantly this time.

My throat is dry as it clenches, hurting so much that I have to hold my breath. Will he tell her the good news? That he will be a free man today? He can now. He knows his freedom is on its way, and he can promise his life to her.

I want to barge in and stop him. I don’t want to hear him saying it out loud. But I dare not. The last time I let my feelings take the better of me, it got me a five-year-long punishment.

“Ava, I’m married,”

What did he say?

I blink in shock. Did he really just say that? That he is married? Is that a rejection? Am I safe to allow the tormenting hope sprout, just a little?

“I’m sorry you had to do that for me! You shouldn’t have...!” Ava burst into tears, her tone so sad even I felt guilt growing inside me.

Yeah, he shouldn’t have. Even if he didn’t agree to it, I would still save Ava. It’s not like my parents would allow it otherwise.

Ava and I were both born with RH- type of blood. A blessing to her, a curse to me.

Just because I was born healthy.

Ava needed my help, and I asked Sebastian to pay the ultimate price to save his love. He did. I thought I was getting what I wanted for once. But all I did was to prove his love to her, and leave a deep scar on my heart.

I stole his chance with his love, and he made sure to ruin mine.

It’s only fair.

“I told you,” Sebastian comforted her with his low bass, “I won’t let anything happen to you.”

He promised the same thing to me once, too. Guess a promise doesn’t count until the boy who made it can grow into a man who can keep one.

Ava dives into his arms. Or so does it sound like. I don’t know. I don’t want to know.

I back away, like the loser I am in this relationship.

[I’m at the hospital, come out when you can,] I text Sebastian. I thought I made my peace with it. In the end, I still can’t go in.

In the end, I still lose to her.

I’m the evil in my story, and evil doesn’t get what it wants. Period. That’s how a good story is supposed to be. The prince slays the dragon, and then the princess gets her happy ever after.

Of course, he wouldn’t hurt me physically. He is the white knight. He just treaded my heart into the mud, twisting his foot to inflict pain in the cheering of her kingdom.

He could tread my heart because I let him. I can no longer allow that, when there is no shred of that heart left for him to tread on.