Chapter 4

The next morning, I woke up in the attic.

After a quick shower and change of clothes, I headed out.

Today was the exact date Carter had promised to marry me.

When I arrived at his company, the lobby was buzzing with excitement.

Chloe was handing out Starbucks drinks to the staff, earning herself non-stop praise.

"You're the best, Chloe! You always look out for us!"

"Carter is so lucky to have a girl like you. I'm so jealous!"

"When is the wedding? Don't forget to send us invitations!"

Chloe lowered her head, blushing prettily.

Carter walked out of his office, wrapping an arm around her waist with a beaming smile.

"Alright, guys, she's shy. Stop teasing my girl."

Watching this scene from a distance, my heart ached with a dull, sour pain that made me want to cry.

Suddenly, an employee noticed me. He tapped Carter’s shoulder and pointed in my direction, looking incredibly awkward.

"Uh, Miss Vance is here."

Carter turned around, his brows instantly furrowing.

"Did you finally realize you were wrong and come to apologize?"

I shook my head, gathering every ounce of courage left in me.

"Carter, do you remember what today is?"

"Five months ago, you promised you would marry me today."

As soon as those words left my mouth, the entire lobby fell dead silent.

In his arms, Chloe looked up with a hurt expression. "Carter... is that true?"

Without a single shred of hesitation, Carter denied it.

"No."

I clenched my fists so hard my nails dug into my skin, letting out a weak, hollow laugh.

I had known coming here would only result in my own humiliation.

Yet, a foolish part of me had still hoped. What if he remembered? What if he still loved me?

But reality slapped me in the face once again.

After what felt like an eternity, he finally spoke, his voice completely devoid of emotion.

"I thought about it, and let's just forget it. The one I actually want to marry is Chloe."

In an instant, the employees around us began throwing pitying looks at me.

I lowered my head and let out a cold laugh. "And what if I don't agree?"

He raised an eyebrow, his eyes filled with disdain. "I’m notifying you, Sera. I’m not asking for your permission!"

No matter how strong a heart is, it cannot withstand such public humiliation.

I said nothing more. I turned around and walked out.

Back in the attic of the estate, I resolutely took out the third candle and lit it.

But the mechanical voice I expected didn't sound.

I froze, wondering what had gone wrong.

Suddenly, a frantic set of footsteps rushed up the stairs.

Martha fell to her knees before me, her eyes red and swollen. She was trembling violently.

"Miss Vance, I'm sorry... I took the candle. I... I had to give it to him."

"Mr. Sterling said if I didn't hand over the candle, he would fire me and make sure I never find another job in this city!"

"You know how old I am. No one else will hire me, and I have a paralyzed son to support!"

In that split second, it felt as if my entire world was collapsing. I began to shake uncontrollably.

I grabbed her arms tightly, raising my voice. "Where is the candle now? Tell me!"

Martha didn't dare look me in the eye. She kept her head down, sobbing.

"I don't know. I gave it to Mr. Sterling. I don't know what he did with it after that."

I collapsed onto the floor, staring at her in sheer disbelief.

I was the one who had taken her in out of pity.

When I found out about her paralyzed son, I paid her triple the market rate and even covered his medical expenses.

I couldn't understand why she didn't even give me a chance to help her.

She knew I was the one who had been supporting her, yet in the end, she still chose to betray me for Carter.

"I am the one paying your salary, Martha!" I said, my voice cracking. "And you're telling me you were afraid Carter would fire you?"

"Even if he did, I could have easily kept paying you!"

Martha gritted her teeth, her voice turning sharp.

"But Mr. Sterling barely comes home anymore! Everyone knows he loves Chloe!"

"Once Chloe officially moves in, you'll be kicked out of this estate. Without Mr. Sterling, you won't even be able to support yourself, let alone pay me!"

Her words hit me like a physical blow.

She had no idea that without me, Carter would never have achieved his current success.

Indeed, the only reliable bond between people is mutual benefit.

Some snakes can never be warmed.

I stumbled to my feet, determined to find Carter and demand what was mine.

But the moment I took my first step, my vision went black, and I collapsed.

When I woke up, it was already the middle of the night.

In the hospital room, Martha was clutching my hand, weeping uncontrollably.

I sat up, trying to force a weak joke to ease the tension.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd think I was dying."

But Martha merely handed me a medical report with trembling hands, her eyes rimmed with red.

"Miss Vance... why didn't you tell us you have cancer?"