Chapter 5

Stella's POV

On a late autumn night, heavy rain began to fall. The bodyguards forcibly dragged me into the courtyard. The icy rain mercilessly pounded down on me, stealing away all my body heat.

Through the bright floor-to-ceiling windows, I watched the warm lamplight inside where Ethan held a towel, tenderly drying Vivian's hair.

Rain mixed with tears streamed down my face. I stood in the rain all night. In my past life, even in light drizzle, he would nervously shelter me in his arms, afraid I'd get even slightly wet. But now, he personally pushed me into the rain.

By dawn, my legs had completely lost feeling. My vision went black and I collapsed heavily into the rainwater.

I developed a high fever, my consciousness blurry.

But in the huge house, no one cared about me. The servants looked at me with pity, but none dared help because Ethan had issued a supreme order: no one was allowed to call a doctor for me.

I forced myself to get up and took two pills myself. Because Ethan sent word: Vivian's birthday party must be personally organized by me, as punishment for pushing her.

Dragging my sick body, I mechanically confirmed every detail of the party. Selecting flowers, confirming dishes, checking the guest list. I was like a soulless machine.

On the day of the birthday party, the Blackwood estate was brilliantly lit. Guests wore haute couture, holding champagne and greeting each other.

"The legitimate wife throwing a birthday party for the mistress. I've never heard of such a thing..."

"Mr. Blackwood is truly in love this time. Look at those gifts. Any one of them is worth a fortune..."

I stood in the shadows of a corner, deaf to these comments. My gaze fell on Ethan at center stage. He wore an impeccable suit, constantly checking his watch, obviously waiting for Vivian to appear.

Time passed minute by minute, but Vivian never showed up. Ethan's expression grew worse and worse. Finally, he sent his assistant to find her.

"Mr. Blackwood!" The assistant ran back in a panic, holding a letter. "Miss Sullivan left. She only left this..."

Ethan snatched the letter and scanned it quickly, his face changing drastically. Finally, he threw the letter in my face.

"Stella!" His voice seemed to squeeze through his teeth. "You'd better explain this clearly!"

The letter drifted to my feet. Trembling, I picked it up. It was in Vivian's handwriting. "Ethan, by the time you read this letter, I'll be gone. I love you very much, but Stella threatened me using my brother. I had no choice but to leave. From now on, we'll never see each other again."

"It wasn't me." I numbly returned the letter to him. "I didn't do such a thing."

"You say that every time!" Ethan grabbed my throat. "But you've done everything! Tell me! Where is Vivian?"

I could barely breathe but stubbornly met his gaze. "I... really... don't know..."

Ethan sneered and pulled out his phone to make a call. "Immediately turn off the respirator for Stella's father at the hospital."

"No!" I completely broke down. I knelt on the ground and said, "Ethan, please, spare my father! I really don't know where she is! If you turn off the respirator, my father will die!"

I desperately begged. Was this cold, ruthless man really the same man who died for me in my past life?

Just then, a bodyguard rushed in. "Mr. Blackwood, we found Miss Sullivan! She's on her way to the airport!"

Ethan immediately released me and rushed out without looking back.

I lay on the floor, my face covered in blood, and closed my eyes in despair.