Chapter 4

The first thing I felt was pain. It spread from my shoulder to my fingertips, so sharp that I couldn’t stop myself from gasping.

My arms…

I tried to move them. One responded weakly, while the other felt completely numb.

My heart sank.

I knew instantly that I had been the one saved last. The medic’s desperate voice echoed inside my head.

You have to choose.

Then came Kaelis’s answer.

Save Selene first.

“Nyra…”

A familiar voice filled my ears.

I slowly turned my head.

Kaelis had been sitting beside my bed the entire time. The moment he saw my eyes open, he shot to his feet so quickly that the chair behind him toppled over.

“You’re awake.”

Relief flooded his face.

“You scared me.”

He reached for my hand, but I pulled it away. His hand froze in midair.

For several long seconds, neither of us spoke.

Finally, I looked at him.

“Do you still remember my brother?”

His brows knitted together.

“Of course. What kind of question is that?”

Of course. How could he forget?

Years ago, before either of us even knew each other’s names, Kaelis had been nothing more than a quiet, timid little boy. A group of older boys cornered him in an alley and beat him simply because he was too small to fight back.

Then Orin appeared.

Without a second thought, my brother threw himself between Kaelis and the bullies. He shielded him with his own body, taking every punch, every kick, and every bruise without hesitation.

Neither of them remembered exactly how they escaped that day.

But fate had other plans.

Years later, House Sorell and House Virel met during a Commission banquet. The moment Kaelis saw Orin, he recognized him.

“The boy who saved me…”

Orin recognized him as well.

From that day onward, Kaelis practically became another member of our family. Not long after, our engagement was arranged.

Back then, I thought fate had rewarded kindness.

Now I finally understood.

Sometimes, fate simply enjoys playing cruel jokes.

Back in the hospital room, tears blurred my vision.

“If you still remember him…”

My voice trembled.

“Then answer me honestly.”

I looked straight into his eyes.

“Was she Selene Ravka?”

Without hesitation, he answered,

“No. She’s a foreigner from Canada. She has nothing to do with Orin’s death.”

A laugh escaped my lips, startling even me.

“A foreigner? She confessed it herself. She told me she was Selene Ravka.”

Kaelis remained calm.

“Do you have proof?”

The laughter vanished from my face.

“What?”

“You said she confessed.” He held my gaze, “Do you have any evidence?”

My breathing became uneven.

“Then explain why she looks exactly like Selene.”

Silence filled the room.

After a long pause, Kaelis finally spoke.

“I never intended for things to happen this way.”

His eyes lowered briefly.

“When you were in a coma…”

My heart pounded.

“…she became part of my life.”

Every word hurts.

“I never planned to leave you.”

He stepped closer.

“You’ll always be my wife. But… I can’t abandon her either.”

The room fell into a suffocating silence.

“I love you,” he whispered, “And I have responsibilities toward her.”

My entire body turned cold as I stared at him in disbelief.

“She’s your woman?”

He slowly closed his eyes.

“…Yes. But you’re the only woman I’ll ever marry.”

I couldn’t breathe.

How ridiculous.

He wanted both of us. As if I should feel grateful. As if becoming his wife could erase every betrayal.

He reached toward me again, but I turned my face away.

After a long silence, he let out a quiet sigh.

“The wedding will be postponed. You need time to recover. When you’re healthy, we’ll hold the ceremony.”

Then he quietly walked out, leaving me alone.

…

Days passed.

Every morning, Kaelis came to visit me.

He brought breakfast, flowers, books, and desserts from my favorite bakery.

Every single gift ended up in the trash.

He never got angry. Instead, he returned the next day carrying something new.

The nurses whispered about how devoted he was.

Only I knew the truth.

Every time I saw his face, I remembered the ambulance. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Selene laughing. The hatred inside me grew deeper with each passing day.

I had survived another crash.

Again.

This time, I wouldn’t waste my second chance. I would keep my promise. Everyone who destroyed my family would pay.

A week later, the hospital room door opened once again.

I expected another bouquet.

Instead, I saw her.

Selene.

She walked in wearing an elegant white dress. Not a single scratch remained on her body. She had completely recovered.

Unlike me, who was still trapped in this hospital bed.

My expression turned icy. “Why is she here?”

Kaelis looked at me quietly.

“She wants to apologize.”

“I don’t need her apology.”

“I do.” His voice became unusually firm, “I don’t want you to hate me because of a misunderstanding.”

Beside him, Selene let out a soft laugh.

“See?”

She folded her arms.

“I told you. She doesn’t even want to look at me.”

She smiled at me. It was the same mocking smile. The one from the police station. The one from the car.

Kaelis glanced at Selene and she understood immediately. Slowly, she stepped forward. Then she bowed.

“I’m sorry.”

Her voice sounded sincere enough to fool anyone.

“I’m sorry that I slept with your fiancé.”

Kaelis’s expression shifted slightly.

She continued without hesitation.

“I’m sorry that he chose to save me before you.”

Then she paused. A slow smile spread across her lips as she raised her head and looked directly into my eyes.

“And I’m sorry that I replaced your brother’s bones with a beast’s.”

The room fell silent.

Hidden beneath the blanket, my phone continued recording.

Every single word…

Had been captured perfectly.