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Chapter 3

Author: Liora Z
The next morning, Mom did my makeup through her tears.

She used white powder to hide my pale cheeks.

Red pigment to give my lips some color.

I looked in the mirror. I almost didn't look like a dying girl.

"Are you really doing this?" Mom choked on her words.

"I have to." I stroked her hand. "This is the path I chose."

Ethan was already waiting by the porch. I could see the obvious irritation in his eyes. When he saw how frail I was, he frowned hard.

"Where is your golden boy? Why isn't he taking care of you?" he said coldly. His voice sounded bitter and tight. "Letting a little sickness leave you looking half-dead."

His words sliced right through me. Seven years ago, if I even caught a cold, he would go crazy with worry. He would brew medicine himself. He would stay up all night with me. Now, his eyes only held anger and mockery.

"Ethan, don't be mean." Sierra smacked his arm playfully. "You're so cold to everyone but me." She smiled at me. "Don't mind him, Elara. That's just how he is."

I pushed down the surging memories. I forced a calm smile. "It's fine. I'm used to it."

Used to his coldness. Used to his disgust. Used to being a stranger to him.

"Let's go," I whispered.

Looking at venues was pure torture. I dragged my withered, cursed body behind them in silence. I watched Sierra pick out the most expensive white roses in the temple. I listened to her giggle and plan their grand union.

Ethan didn't seem to care about the plans at all.

But whenever the pain made me go completely pale and I almost tripped, he would suddenly snap.

He yelled at the temple servants for doing a bad job.

He ruined Sierra's mood with his dark face. He cut the trip short.

I didn't get home until evening, completely drained.

That night, the obsidian mirror by my bed glowed.

It was an Underworld scrying glass.

Only his bloodline could wake it.

Ethan's face appeared in the glass. It was still the face that haunted my dreams.

"Eight AM tomorrow. The Divine Realm entrance," he said flatly. But his eyes were locked on my pale lips. "We need to finalize the banquet menu. You took on this job. Don't even think about slacking off."

It sounded like the perfect, strictly business excuse.

Looking at his face in the mirror, I zoned out for a second.

Those dark eyes. That sharp jawline. The lips that had kissed me a thousand times.

It felt like stepping back in time.

Back to seven years ago when we were so in love. He used to call me through the mirror back then, too.

His eyes had been full of love and warmth.

"Elara?" His voice snapped me back to reality. There was a tiny hint of panic in it.

"Okay. I'll be there."

Right then, Sierra's whiny voice echoed from his side. "Babe, who are you talking to? Come brush my hair..."

"Coming," Ethan replied to her. He looked back at me. "That's it."

"Wait—"

Before I could say anything, the mirror went black. I stared at the dark glass. I let the tears fall. The mirror showed the past I had to sever with my own hands.

The next morning, I waited at the entrance right on time. The sun kept rising. I waited from morning to noon. From noon to afternoon. The curse made me weaker by the minute. I forced myself to stay standing.

Finally, at two PM, Ethan's black chariot sped into view.

Sierra laughed brightly from the carriage. "Sorry! We're late. Ethan kept me up all night. I couldn't even get out of bed."

I climbed in. She smirked at me, marking her territory.

I stayed quiet. Ethan just said coldly, "You don't need to explain anything to her."

The chariot took off at a crazy speed.

It was the exact opposite of seven years ago.

Back then, he always drove so carefully. He had been terrified of hitting a bump and hurting me.

Suddenly, Ethan yanked the reins. I was too weak to brace myself. I slammed hard into the side of the chariot. Pain shot through my back. I let out a groan.

Ethan laughed. It was cruel and empty. "You chose a mortal body. Know your place. Gods do not grant pity."

I quietly wiped a tear from my eye. I said calmly, "You're right, Lord Ethan. The only one you should pity now is Sierra."

"Well said!" Ethan laughed loudly. "At least you're self-aware."

With that, he whipped the reins again. The chariot jerked forward. I slammed into the wall again. This time it hit harder. My back felt like it was tearing open.

But a sad smile crept onto my lips.

Good. Let your hate burn away the last bit of love I had left for you.
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