Chapter 2

The next morning, I went to the hospital alone.

I picked up the test report and the strongest painkillers available.

The doctor looked at me with pity.

"The painkillers will only suppress the symptoms temporarily. They won't improve your condition."

"Do you want me to explain it to your family myself?"

"No need."

Outside the hospital, my lawyer was waiting for me, along with the asset disposal documents.

I listed my shares, properties, and accounts one by one. What I kept was just enough to cover my current medical bills.

My phone rang. It was Dad.

"Where are you? Chloe's awake. She's asking why you're not home."

"The hospital."

"What are you doing at the hospital again? Throwing another tantrum?"

His tone was dissatisfied.

"Jane, stop acting like a child. Your illness will have a chance to be cured eventually. Chloe needs the family's support right now. Can't you be a little understanding?"

"Dad, what if there is no eventually?"

The line went quiet for a moment.

"Don't try to scare me with that kind of talk."

He hung up.

The lawyer watched me in silence. I pushed the last page over and signed my name.

At noon, Damian came to the hospital to find me.

He was holding a Marking ceremony invitation, the gold emblem stinging my eyes in the sunlight.

"Chloe wants to keep the ceremony simple." He said, "She was worried you'd be uncomfortable, so she asked me to check with you first."

"You don't need to ask me."

"Jane, I'm not trying to hurt you." Damian sat down across from me. "The ceremony with her is temporary. It doesn't mean I don't care about you. Once she's better, we can restore our bond."

"You used to say you'd be with me through every episode."

"That was before."

He explained it so earnestly, as if proving to me that this was just a reasonable choice.

"Chloe just came to this family. She doesn't know anything yet. And she has the same illness as you. I can't just watch her be scared alone."

"I understand."

Damian finally let out a breath.

"You've finally learned not to be jealous of Chloe. This will be easier for all of us."

He put the invitation on the table and stood to leave.

I didn't take the card.

When the doctor came in, he saw me gripping the edge of the table, my face ashen.

"The pain again?"

"The painkillers are wearing off."

"Back to your room now."

He helped me lie down and examined me again. From outside the door came my parents' voices. They were there to pick up Chloe's follow-up medication.

"Jane is here too," the nurse said.

"She can handle herself." Dad replied, "Let's take Chloe home first. She can't catch a chill."

I closed my eyes and listened to the footsteps pass by the door without stopping.