Chapter 4: Would You Be Sad If I Died?

Chapter 4: Chapter 4: Would You Be Sad If I Died?

"Cece, thank you. I didn’t expect you to be so brave."

Erin came over to speak to me, feigning concern. She grasped both my hands, but her eyes held a threat.

I shook her hands off and left the Fletcher Family’s home, famished.

’In truth, I should have given up all hope right then and there.’

「The hospital.」

"You’re pregnant. You’re already two months along, didn’t you realize? We’ll need to keep you under observation for a while."

I sat on the chair in shock, staring at the test results, my entire body trembling.

’Pregnant.’

’Of all the times... I was pregnant.’

Julian didn’t love me, so naturally, he wouldn’t accept the child in my belly.

Even if I was pregnant, his opinion of me wouldn’t change one bit. He would only think I was using tricks to force him into marriage.

「Five days before the incident.」

I mustered up all my courage, planning to tell Julian I was pregnant.

If he didn’t want this child, I would have an abortion and then leave.

I would absolutely not pester him anymore.

The line just rang and rang... I called him countless times, but he refused to answer.

On the last call, someone finally picked up.

But it was Erin who spoke.

"Oh, Cece, are you looking for Julian? He’s tired and needs to rest."

"What are you telling her all that for? Just tell her not to bother me." From the other end of the line came Julian’s impatient voice, followed by Erin’s playful laughter. "Julian, stop it. I’m on my period, you can’t touch me today..."

I held the phone, sitting numb and rigid on the sofa.

That night, Julian came back, but he brought Erin with him.

"Why did you bring her here?" Mrs. Fletcher frowned, clearly displeased.

"Mom, Erin and I are getting engaged. I came back to let you know." Julian’s voice was firm, leaving no room for argument.

Mrs. Fletcher was stunned and instinctively looked over at me.

My eyes reddened, but I said nothing.

"I don’t approve. You and Cece have a prior marriage agreement..." Mrs. Fletcher tried to say more.

"Erin has been targeted by that serial killer. The killer only goes after single, unmarried women. I’m going to make our engagement public."

Julian’s favoritism for Erin had become completely brazen.

My stomach churned violently. I shot up and scrambled to the bathroom, vomiting until the world went dark.

’What does he take me for?’

I still remembered when I was eighteen. My parents were in a car crash, and I was pinned inside the mangled frame of the car. It had already caught fire and was at risk of exploding at any moment.

It was Julian who came running like a madman to save me. He desperately smashed the car window. Even with his hands covered in blood, he frantically cut the seatbelt that trapped me, pulled me from the wreckage, and carried me to safety.

Then he went back to recklessly trying to save my parents.

"Julian... it’s dangerous..." I called out weakly, only able to watch from a distance as he risked everything to save my family.

The moment my parents were pulled out, the car exploded.

The immense flames and the force of the blast made my heart tremble.

Even though my parents didn’t make it in the end, the image of Julian desperately trying to save them was seared into my heart like a brand.

’He’s a good person. He always has been. He just doesn’t love me.’

After I’d vomited until there was nothing left, my vision went black and I collapsed on the floor.

’He and Erin were getting engaged.’

’And I... I was just a joke.’

"Cece, don’t be scared. You’re going to be okay, Cece..."

"Cece..."

I remember at the scene of the crash, he kept calling my name, telling me to hold on, that the ambulance was almost there.

’Back then, I thought he liked me too.’

’One misunderstanding that lasted for so many years.’

"Cecilia Caldwell, what are you doing, playing dead again?!"

The bathroom door was kicked open. Julian looked at me, extremely displeased. "Tomorrow night, you’re going to Hollow-tree Alley. We’ve already made all the arrangements. Don’t try to pull any of these tricks."

"Julian... are you really not afraid that I’ll die?" I asked him, my voice hoarse.

"Cecilia Caldwell, you’re the perfect person for the job. You and that murderer are a good match! If you use the same energy you use to pester me on that killer, you might even make a contribution to society!"

"If I die... will you be sad?" I asked, my voice hoarse.

Julian frowned.

"You? Willing to die? I’ll answer that question after you’re dead."