Chapter 4

On the fifth day of my life's countdown, I was discharged from the hospital.

I dragged my weak body out of the hospital doors, only to run straight into the person I least wanted to see.

Julian stood beside that familiar black Maybach, an arm around Celeste, his gaze as cold as if he were looking at a stranger.

"Get in," he said, his thin lips parting, his voice like ice. "We're going to see my parents."

My fingers clenched my clothes, my knuckles turning white.

I knew all too well what awaited me.

The car drove towards the cemetery on the outskirts.

All the way there, Celeste leaned into Julian's embrace, occasionally giggling as she fed him fruit.

I sat in the passenger seat, watching their intimacy through the rearview mirror, my chest aching.

At the cemetery entrance, Julian got out first.

I was about to follow, but I was stunned by the sight before me.

From the entrance to the depths of the cemetery, the long path was paved with glowing hot coals, radiating a terrifying red light under the sun.

Julian, holding Celeste, spoke, his voice cold as ice. "Evelyn, your family are all sinners. Your parents are dead, so you will atone for them."

He pointed to the coals. "Kneel on them. Three full prostrations. Kneel all the way to my parents' tombstone and repent."

My legs trembled. I knew refusing would lead to a worse fate.

The moment my knees touched the coals, the smell of burning flesh filled the air. The searing pain made my vision swim, but I could only clench my teeth and inch forward.

Behind me, the rumble of a car engine.

Julian's car followed me at the slowest speed. The window was down, and I could clearly see him and Celeste with their fingers intertwined, see him kissing Celeste's fingertips.

Three full prostrations. Each one was like branding my body onto a red-hot iron plate.

My knees were raw and bloody, my hands scorched black.

Sweat mixed with blood hit the coals with a sizzling sound.

By the time I finally crawled to the tombstone, I was close to blacking out.

Through my blurred vision, I saw Julian and Celeste standing before the tombstone.

"Mom and Dad, I've found the love of my life," his voice was incredibly tender. "I specifically brought her to meet you. And the enemy who killed you, I've taken my revenge."

Celeste dutifully offered flowers. "Don't worry, Aunt and Uncle, I'll take good care of Julian."

"Bow your head," Julian suddenly turned to me, his eyes cold again.

I struggled to bow, my forehead hitting the ground hard before the tombstone.

"Get back," Julian tossed out, then turned and left with Celeste.

On the way back, a sudden downpour started. I dragged my broken body, step by agonizing step, back.

With every step, the rain washed over the wounds on my knees, making them sting.

By the time I finally crawled back to the villa, it was already dark.

Julian was sitting in the living room, looking at documents. Hearing the movement, he looked up, a flicker of something strange in his eyes when he saw my disheveled state, but it quickly returned to cold indifference.

"Tomorrow is Celeste's birthday," he closed his file, his tone flat. "I'm holding a grand banquet for her. You'll organize it."

I froze.

"Arrange it exactly how you used to describe your dream wedding," he added, a cruel curve on his lips.

My heart gave a sharp pang.

I had described my dream wedding to him countless times—

There had to be a champagne tower, white roses covering the entire hall, and a band playing my favorite songs…

And now, the wedding I had always longed for was merely Celeste's ordinary birthday party.

"Don't waste time," Julian frowned, tossing a tube of ointment at me. "Tomorrow, there can't be any mistakes."

With that, he turned and left.

The ointment fell to the floor. I picked it up and threw it in the trash.

I dragged my injured body and began to decorate the banquet hall, staying up all night.

The rain outside never stopped, much like my endless tears.