Chapter 5

The lights of the birthday banquet were blindingly bright.

I leaned against a pillar in the corner, listening to the guests’ hushed conversations.

"Mr. Julian truly dotes on Ms. Celeste. Just a birthday banquet, costing a fortune, easily millions."

"Of course, I heard Ms. Celeste saved Mr. Julian's life."

"Compared to that Evelyn before, this must be true love, right?"

The guests' whispers clearly reached my ears.

I took a sip of water, my face expressionless, the artificial heart in my chest emitting a faint hum.

The banquet progressed to the gift-giving segment. Celeste was surrounded, like a star. Julian's gifts grew more precious with each one—a limited edition Hermes, custom-designed jewelry, an island property deed…

"Thank you everyone for the gifts," Celeste smiled sweetly, her gaze suddenly falling on me in the corner. "However, it seems someone hasn't given me a gift yet."

All eyes turned to me. I clutched my water glass, my knuckles white.

"Never mind, I won't pressure you," Celeste waved a hand, feigning magnanimity, yet her eyes were fixed on my neck. "That emerald necklace of yours is quite pretty. Why don't you give it to me as a birthday present?"

My hand unconsciously went to the necklace.

Julian had given it to me years ago, saying it was a family heirloom, only for the future daughter-in-law.

That day, he knelt on one knee, promising to love me forever.

Now, thinking back, it was nothing but a meticulously designed deception.

"Okay," I calmly unclasped the necklace and handed it to Celeste.

Julian's face instantly darkened.

"Does that mean you'll give Celeste anything she wants?" His voice was cold as ice.

I looked at the necklace in my hand and suddenly smiled.

Yes, I’m dying soon. What else is there that I can't give?

"Yes," I looked up, meeting Julian's eyes. "Ms. Celeste can have anything she wants."

A flicker of inexplicable rage crossed Julian's eyes.

"Alright then," he sneered. "Celeste actually replaced my heart with an artificial one, and our blood types are the same. Why don't you donate your heart to Celeste?"

I froze.

My heart? I didn't have one anymore.

"No, no!" Celeste suddenly panicked, grabbing Julian's arm. "I don't want her heart! An artificial heart can be replaced regularly. She… she has a grudge against your family, and her heart is dirty. I don't want to be tainted by all that…"

Julian's expression finally softened. He gently stroked Celeste's long hair. "You're right. Her heart is too dirty, unworthy of you."

During the cake-cutting, as Celeste closed her eyes to make a wish, the surrounding crowd started to cheer.

"Kiss! Kiss!"

Amidst the cheers, Julian leaned down and kissed Celeste.

It was a deep, lingering kiss. Celeste wrapped her arms around his neck, practically hanging off him.

I turned to leave, but my body was too weak, and I stumbled.

I leaned against the wall, slowly making my way out, the cheers still echoing in my ears.

Outside the banquet hall, the night air was cool. Unknowingly, I found myself by the lake.

The lake surface shimmered under the moonlight, beautiful.

I stood by the lake, and suddenly felt a push from behind—

"Splash!"

The icy lake water instantly swallowed me.

I didn't struggle, letting myself slowly sink.

Water filled my mouth and nose. The sensation of choking came, yet strangely, it brought a sense of relief.

Julian and Celeste were still locked in a passionate kiss until a scream echoed from outside the banquet hall.

"Someone's dead! Someone jumped in the lake!"