Chapter 5

I frantically called for emergency services, but when we arrived at the hospital, I was told the cardiology doctor had been dispatched by Adrian to treat Vivian's external injuries!

Hearing this, I couldn't care about dignity anymore. I stumbled toward the consultation room.

"Adrian! Adrian! I'm begging you—please save Grandma!"

"For the sake of how she always treated you like her own grandson, how she gave you her burial savings to start your business—please have the doctor save her!"

The next second, Vivian appeared before me, clinging to Adrian's arm.

She clutched her chest affectedly, her voice syrupy as she whined about how much it hurt.

But it was clearly just a minor bruise!

Adrian was about to speak when Vivian pulled him back.

"Adrian, my chest hurts so much~"

"She was acting all high and mighty, even slapping you last night. Today's little show is probably just another trick to fool you into coming back."

His gaze shifted from concern to cold indifference as he looked at me.

"Emma, even if you're going to lie, make it believable."

"How dare you use Grandma's life to fabricate a story!"

"You like putting on shows, don't you? Fine. I'll remove the ventilator right now and see what you'll use to perform!"

The moment the ventilator was removed, the heart monitor stopped beeping.

Grandma's chest stopped rising.

The person who loved me most in this world had her life cruelly taken by the man I once loved most deeply.

"No—!"

I screamed in anguish, only to receive a vicious slap in return that sent my head snapping to the side.

I was completely engulfed in Adrian's towering shadow, seeing clearly the disgust and fury in his eyes.

My vision darkened. Warm liquid flowed from my nose and mouth simultaneously, the metallic taste of blood filling my entire mouth.

Vivian stood right beside him, lips curving slightly, her triumphant gaze piercing my heart like madness.

"Emma, kneel here and reflect on what you've done!"

Time passed—I don't know how long. Long enough that I felt my soul had left with Grandma too.

My knees ached terribly. My face hurt. The cold wind cutting across my skin made it sting even more.

I crawled with difficulty toward the hospital bed, my trembling hand touching that kind face.

Grandma, living is so exhausting. I want to leave with you...

As if possessed, I moved to the window, closed my eyes, and my hand gripping the windowsill was about to let go.

The next second, I fell into a familiar, warm embrace.

"I'm sorry. I came too late."