Chapter 4

That night, I drank the milk Claire handed me like always.

After the two of them crept out quietly, I got up and followed.

They led me all the way to a luxury apartment. Through the gap in the door, I saw Dylan sitting comfortably on the couch. Claire fed him fruit with gentle hands and massaged his legs.

"I'm sorry I couldn't be with you these past few days. You've been through so much."

Maya curled up beside her, pouting. "It's all Dad's fault—he's so petty, he wouldn't let Mom bring you back home."

I shoved the door open, my voice trembling. "You said you sent him away. Claire, how much of your words are actually true?"

Claire stepped in front of Dylan, squaring off against me. "Wesley, that's enough! Dylan has never tried to take anything from you. He's been here without a name, without status, just keeping me company. He's already suffered enough. Can you stop being so selfish for once?"

Dylan straightened up, emboldened. "Come on, Wesley. You're older, and you've never known how to keep a woman interested. Claire got tired of you a long time ago. If it's not going to be me, she'll find someone else—so why not let it be me?"

I couldn't hold back anymore. I grabbed a vase off the table and hurled it at him.

The fight exploded from there. In the chaos, Dylan and I tumbled off the balcony.

The ambulance came. The medics assessed us both quickly, then turned to Claire with a grim look. "Both are critical. We only have the equipment to prioritize one. Ms. Harrison, who do you choose?"

Claire didn't even glance my way. "Save Dylan."

I lay on the cold pavement, watching the ambulance lights fade into the distance. The last flicker of hope in my eyes went dark.

My hand shaking, I dialed a number I hadn't called in years. "If I survive this, help me stage my death."

"Wesley! Wesley!"

Claire's voice pulled me back from the edge of consciousness. She lifted me up, hands trembling as she shoved the emergency pills into my mouth.

The medication slowly took effect, easing the crushing weight in my chest. I turned my head to see Maya standing there, neck stiff, wearing a look of pure defiance.

Claire's palm connected with her cheek. "You little monster, who told you to throw away your father's medicine?"

Maya burst into tears.

Dylan pulled her into his arms. "Claire, don't be so hard on her. She's just a kid—she doesn't understand all this complicated stuff."

Then he produced a forged surgical record. "I didn't want to say anything, but Wesley has gone too far. He already had a heart transplant. He's not as fragile as he pretends to be."

Claire scanned the document, and her eyes went cold. "You've recovered this whole time? You've been playing weak and distant just to punish me?"

I didn't bother defending myself. I just looked at her with empty eyes.

Claire flung the papers in my face. "I was actually going to make up for your birthday today. But since you're so ungrateful and so full of lies, forget it."

She left with Dylan and Maya, locking the door behind her.

I didn't care. I had no interest in going anywhere with them anyway.

Not long after, Maya posted a photo on social media. Claire had her arm around Dylan, Maya beaming in the middle. The caption read: [A happy little family of three.]

I liked the post without a second thought.

Then my phone started buzzing relentlessly.

It was the hospital.

"Mr. Harrison, your father is in critical condition. Get here now."

My heart dropped. I rushed for the door, but it was locked tight.

I called Claire. Once. Twice. Three times. No answer.

Desperate, I ran to the window and jumped.

The impact shot a searing pain through my right leg. I gritted my teeth, clawed my way up, and limped to the street to flag down a car.

But by the time I got there, it was already too late.