Chapter 4

When I woke up again, my right leg was wrapped in a thick cast.

The doctor said I might have permanent damage. I lay there silently, tears streaming down my face.

Marvin sat beside the bed, looking worn out. His face was tight with pain, his eyes full of guilt and sorrow.

He drew a tiny moon on the cast and said softly, "Selene, I'll stay with you until you get better."

I closed my eyes, and he gently tucked the blanket around me, moving carefully so as not to wake me.

He was busy all morning, running back and forth to bring me everything I needed in the hospital. After almost an hour, he finally got to catch a breath.

He was acting like the most responsible boyfriend when he was the one who caused all this.

I pretended to sleep, but my heart was pounding, aching inside. Marvin stayed up all night and sat by my side.

Every now and then, he kissed the name "Selene" he'd written on the cast, tears falling as he held my hand tight, as if I'd disappear if he let go.

"I'm sorry, Selene. This is all my fault. I shouldn't have listened to them and hurt you.

"At least I still have a chance to stop this. I won't ever hurt you again. You're my reason to live, Selene.

"I almost lost you. I'm so sorry..."

He spoke in a choked voice, watching over me the whole night.

I knew he was hurting because I was injured.

Last time, in front of Shirley and the others, he said it was just a prank and told them not to cause me real harm.

Part of me softened, but I also found it ridiculous.

Marvin's loyalty was to Shirley.

This was the 99th prank. I was still the toy to please her. Marvin had allowed it again.

But who could say what would happen on the 100th prank? Perhaps he still would be an accomplice to hurting me.

The next day, while Marvin went out to get breakfast, I called my father and asked his bodyguards to come get me. I was planning my escape through a fake plane crash.

While I waited, Shirley showed up, glowing with triumph and pride.

"Breaking your leg was part of my plan. That's prank number 99."

I kept my cool, glaring at her with hatred.

Shirley looked me up and down, then adjusted the luxury shawl on her shoulders.

"The 100th prank will be at the Innova Gaming Competition. You'll be accused of plagiarism. Marvin gave me all the drafts for your game.

"He's already bribed the judges. All your submissions will be three minutes later than mine. Prepare to face the biggest humiliation in your life."

The Innova Gaming Competition was the most prestigious game design contest in the country. I'd been preparing for two years, and I'd saved everything on my game, Ashen Mythos, on my computer.

My anger flared as I slapped her hard. "You steal my work and my boyfriend. You're nothing but a trash bin, picking up after me!"

Shirley raised an eyebrow, grabbed my wrist, and twisted it, ready to slap me back.

"You're the one who's picking up after me!"

But the slap never came down.

"What are you doing?" Marvin came back, followed by my father's bodyguards.

For once, he snapped at Shirley.

Shirley understood Marvin couldn't break up with me yet because he still had one last prank to pull on me, so she just sulked and left.

Before Marvin could explain, the bodyguards pushed a wheelchair toward me, ready to take me away.

He sensed something was wrong and stopped it, looking worried.

"What's going on?"

I looked down and said, "I'm going to Frontania for treatment. My dad's really worried."

Marvin didn't want to let me go. He wasn't convinced.

But since he was the one who caused my injury, he had no choice but to agree, especially after I insisted that my father wanted to see me soon.

Then, as if he couldn't wait, he booked a flight for tomorrow right in front of me, promising to come find me and even asking for my flight number.

I hesitated, then told him it was ZX9217.

He wanted to see me off, but suddenly his phone rang.

It was his friend. "Shirley fell down the stairs! Get here now!"

Without a word, he dashed out.

I gave a bitter, cold smile and told the bodyguards, "Let's go."

At the airport.

"Ms. Davison, everything's going according to plan. Mr. Davison said the crash scene will be perfect."

The gate screen flashed QL4032.

I nodded and boarded the plane to Frontania.

It was December 24th, the day we first met, according to Marvin.

No matter the truth of that statement, I chose this day to make sure he would never forget me.

I wanted to make sure he'd remember I died because of his stupid prank game, so he'd regret it forever.

One second before the crash, I sent Marvin my last text.

[For your 100th prank, I'll risk my life to play along!]

My phone exploded with calls and messages.

The ZX9217 crash was complete.