Chapter 2

The hospital security chief arrived with a team and forcibly escorted Agatha and the reporters out of the emergency department.

Jonah and Zack didn't leave. They took the elevator to the VIP ward on the top floor. I floated after them and slipped inside.

The room was warm and cozy, the scent of lilies teasing in the air.

Bonnie Lowe was propped up against a soft pillow. Her face was indeed pale, but in her eyes was an unmistakable hint of smugness.

When she saw Jonah, she quickly squeezed out a few tears. "Jonah, Zack… Is Julia still refusing to see me?"

She reached out weakly and tugged at the hem of Jonah's shirt. "Did I do something wrong that upset her? If that's the case, I'd rather not get treatment anymore. I can't let you two fight because of me."

Zack sat beside the bed, his heart breaking for her. He reached out and gently stroked Bonnie's hair. "Silly girl. What are you talking about? Julia is just selfish and can't stand seeing you do well.

"She went and bribed a nurse and even got a fake death certificate made just to fool everyone."

Bonnie covered her mouth in feigned shock. "A death certificate? How could Julia joke about something like that? She must be mad because she thinks I've taken all your attention away from her.

"The truth is, I've been thinking about moving out for some time. It's time I give everything back to her."

Jonah sat in the armchair beside them. He crossed his long legs and picked up an apple from the table, peeling it slowly. "You did nothing wrong. She's the one at fault."

The paring knife glided steadily through the red peel, carving out a long strip.

"She thinks she can force me to give in by pulling something this extreme. Well, she clearly doesn't know me well."

He cut the peeled apple into bite-sized pieces, stuck a toothpick in each, and held them out to Bonnie. "Have some fruit. The doctor said you need more vitamins."

I hovered above the couch armrest, my eyes fixed on the sharp paring knife.

A month ago, I had dragged my blood-drained body outside the hospital. I was shaking so badly from the cold that it seemed like nothing in the world could warm me up.

I used the last bit of my strength to call Jonah. It took him a long while to pick up.

"Jonah, help me. I'm freezing."

My voice was so faint that I could barely hear myself.

But Bonnie's coy laugh came from the other end of the line. Even through the phone, Jonah sounded exceptionally cold as he said, "Bonnie has a low-grade fever right now. Can you stop getting jealous for once? Do you really think pretending to be sick to get my attention is cute?"

He then hung up without a second thought. Those were the last words I ever heard alive.

The hospital room door opened. Agatha walked in carrying a thermal food container. A warm smile had replaced the anger on her face from earlier.

"Bonnie, I made you fortifying chicken soup. Drink it while it's hot. It'll help rebuild your strength."

As she poured the soup, she started complaining, "That brat is getting more ridiculous by the day. When she comes back, I'm going to break her legs myself."

Zack snorted coldly. "Mom, you're spoiling her. We can't let her off this time. She needs to kneel and apologize to Bonnie. Then we'll take 1000 cc of her blood as punishment."

Jonah pushed his gold-rimmed glasses up the bridge of his nose. "I've already had her bank cards frozen. I've also notified all the major hotels and airlines. She's penniless now, with nowhere left to go.

"She'll call and beg for mercy before tonight is over."

He raised his wrist and checked his watch, sounding so sickeningly calm and confident. "We'll wait right here. Let's see how long she can keep up this act."

I lowered my head and looked at my own translucent hands. They would probably never get that call they were waiting for.

After all, the dead couldn't make any phone calls.