Chapter 4

Yelena did not stay in Maldivea to wait for Shane. The next day, she flew back and went straight to the hospital.

When she saw Bethany lying in bed with an IV drip, Yelena smiled mockingly.

“Nice act! Is pretending to be weak all you can do? Only Shane would fall for something that lame!”

Bethany knew exactly what she meant. Years ago, she had stood outside the boys’ dorm all night in the pouring rain while waiting for Shane.

She remembered clearly how hard it rained that night. She stood there in the storm with a guitar she had carefully chosen for Shane.

The rain soaked her thin shirt and drenched her face.

She fainted before Shane showed up.

After that, she told herself it was not the end of the world. Loving someone who did not love her back was not the worst thing that could happen.

Just as she decided to give up, Shane finally gave in. He said he would give their relationship a try. That was how she finally got the man she had wanted for so long.

That rain brought her love, but it also brought her pneumonia.

She got better later, but it left her with a lingering cough.

Whenever the weather turned cold, she would start coughing.

Bethany looked at Shane. For just a moment, she hoped he would step in to defend her.

But she knew he would not.

Yelena was pushy, and Bethany had put up with her long enough.

She was about to break up with Shane anyway, so there was no need to keep pretending to be nice.

Bethany said, “When it comes to pretending, I could never compare to you. All your tricks are pointless. You’ll always only be Shane’s sister.”

The words hit Yelena like a slap.

She lost her temper and threw herself at Bethany. Bethany raised her arm to block her. The IV needle snapped. A sharp pain shot through her hand, and she let out a cry.

Blood mixed with the IV fluid and splashed onto her white hospital gown.

Yelena had started it, so Bethany did not plan to back down. She ignored the pain in her hand and raised her arm to slap Yelena.

Before she could, Shane stepped between them. The sound of the slap filled the room, and a red mark bloomed on Shane’s face.

His brows furrowed, and his face darkened.

“Bethany, what’s wrong with you? You know Yelena has problems. She can’t control herself. Why would you hit her?”

Bethany stared at him. Her hands clenched tightly as she tried to stay calm.

She said with a bitter laugh, “She’s sick, and I’m not? Why do you always have to be such a hypocrite?”

Shane opened his mouth but said nothing. It was like something was stopping him from speaking.

Yelena wiped her eyes dramatically. “Shane, I knew it! You don’t care about me! I don’t want to live anymore!”

She ran out of the room crying. Shane went after her without a second thought and left Bethany standing there in silence.

Bitterness filled Bethany’s heart. She laughed at herself. Why was she even sad? It was not like this had not happened before.

Bethany was still feeling down when her phone rang. Hudson’s name flashed on the screen.