Chapter 5

When I woke up again, Seraphina wasn't there. The bleeding bandage on my leg and my hand had been re-dressed, and the hospital room was cleaned.

The sunlight from outside fell on my face. I lowered my eyes, feeling as if an age had passed. It was absurd to think that a private hospital was so efficient; it was as if nothing had happened.

I thought this was my chance to escape, but Seraphina soon returned, bringing me food.

"Awake? Eat something."

Now, her expression had softened. She feigned regret.

"Tell me, why must you suffer so much for being stubborn?"

As she spoke, she picked up a spoon, ready to feed me, her tone earnest.

"Just be good, and I'll treat you well from now on."

I turned my head, almost gagging at the sight of her. I felt nothing but utter disgust. "Get lost!"

Seraphina, treated this way, was somewhat enraged.

"Liam, I'm forgiving you and bringing you food. Can you stop being so ungrateful?!"

I closed my eyes. Once my emotions stabilized, I finally spoke, almost pleadingly.

"...Seraphina, please! I'm begging you. I'll step aside for you and Cole, okay? Or anyone else you want! Just don't bother me anymore! I was wrong to see Cole as a rival; I overestimated myself! Please, just let me go!"

Whatever happened, I had already received my due punishment!

My life was ruined; now I just wanted them to leave me alone.

Seraphina was stunned by my appearance, seemingly not recognizing me for a moment. After a while, she shook her head.

"Liam, you being like this isn't just about making you apologize. More than that, you owe Cole."

"...I owe him?! What could I possibly owe him?!"

I asked dazedly. Seraphina frowned, unable to help but scoff at my convenient memory.

She said that when Cole first started racing, I and the entire club had ostracized him and crashed into him.

If Cole hadn't been incredibly lucky, he would have died long ago.

"So, you deserve this! I don't know what you're pretending for; I almost fell for your act just now!"

I froze slightly, then recalled those distant past events.

A bitter laugh escaped me. So that's why these two women were so utterly devoted to Cole.

So that's what they thought had happened back then.

There had been a crash, but it wasn't how she described it.

From the very beginning, when Cole first joined the club, I had noticed his malicious intent, always trying to win races through unfair means.

But now, I had nothing left to say. It was pointless. I was already a cripple.

Seeing my lack of rebuttal, Seraphina sneered. "So Liam, you have no right to complain! This is all your karma!"

I remained silent, and Seraphina lost the desire to speak with me. She turned and left.

I stared blankly at her retreating back. A long time later, I buried my face in my palms and wept silently.

Life after that was nothing but treatment and recovery.

Different psychologists came to see me every day.

Seraphina seemed to consider my fan base, so she made sure I received the best medication.

I acted numb but cooperative, though I didn't speak much.

After more than half a month, I finally managed to make them drop their guard.

Gritting my teeth through the pain, I got into a wheelchair and struggled to leave the hospital.

When I looked back at the hospital entrance for the last time, my eyes were cold.

Since none of you want me to appear again, then goodbye forever!

At that moment, Seraphina was intimately with Cole in a presidential suite at a luxury hotel.

"I've done so much for you, why can't I be the one with you?"

She cradled Cole's face, her eyes filled with deep affection.

"At least we're together now."

Cole said soothingly. Just as they were about to get more intimate, the romantic atmosphere was broken by a phone call.

Seraphina impatiently pulled out her phone, about to hang up, but then frowned at the caller ID.

The hospital? What could the hospital want? Liam?

The thought of him made Seraphina answer anyway. "Hello?"

"It's bad, Ms. Seraphina! Mr. Liam, he... he's gone!"