Chapter 1

"Anna, it's your 22nd birthday soon." Lisa Melrose's voice rang out from the phone, her voice thick with anticipation. "You'll have to choose your fiancé from five men. Have you made up your mind yet?"

Adrianna stood in front of floor-to-ceiling windows, absentmindedly brushing her fingers past the windowsill. Sunlight shone through the glass, bathing her in a warm glow—but it did nothing to melt the ice in her eyes.

"Yes," she whispered.

"I knew it!" Lisa chuckled. "You've been following James around ever since you were a kid. It's him, right?"

"No." Adrianna's voice was eerily calm. "I'm not choosing him."

Their conversation lapsed into silence.

"Then…" Lisa hesitated. "You're picking from Nolan, Conrad, and Liam? They all have a crush on you."

"I'm not picking them either."

Lisa inhaled sharply. "Then Derick's the only one left! But he's your nemesis. You couldn't have—"

"I'm picking him," Adrianna interrupted, her voice unyielding. "Mom, I'm marrying Derick."

"What did you just say?" Lisa's voice rose an octave. "Anna, you haven't been on good terms with him since you were a child.

"When you were five, you pushed him into the pool. On his tenth birthday, you sneaked hot pepper powder into his cake. When you were 15, you threw the limited edition sneakers he cherished in the fountain… "

A smile crossed Adrianna's face as she listened to Lisa ramble on and on about her past misdeeds.

"And a year ago, you said you didn't want to see him," Lisa continued. "He was so upset that he went abroad right after. Why do you suddenly want to marry him now?"

Adrianna dropped her gaze, her hands balling up into fists.

Only after being reborn did she realize that out of the five men, only Derick truly loved her—and she wasn't even aware of it until now.

In her past life, she had happily announced to Lisa that she would marry James. But at the time, she never would have expected James to fake his death and elope with another woman, making her suffer for two decades.

She was born into the wealthy Quinnen family of Gildford. Lisa was close friends with the ladies of the Emmons, Livingston, Hargrave, Winsley, and Ashford families. The six women had been pregnant at the same time—the other five gave birth to sons, while only the Winsley family had a daughter.

On the day Adrianna was born, the five ladies were so envious that they fought over who would get to hold her first.

They even quarreled so fiercely over who could be Adrianna's future mother-in-law that Lisa had to make a promise that when Adrianna turned 22, she would choose a fiancé from among the five families' sons.

In her past life, Adrianna chose James without a second thought, convinced the man who had stolen her heart as a girl could make her happy.

But on the eve of their wedding, his plane crashed. No remains were found.

She had searched for him like a madwoman, refusing to give up for 20 years. Nolan, Conrad, and Liam had stayed by her side. They were gentle, attentive, and most importantly—they loved her, hoping to help her move on.

She was grateful for their efforts, but she could never forget James.

It wasn't until that rainy night, she saw James pinning Cecilia against the wall and kissing her. She thought he was dead.

The poor student Adrianna had once sponsored was now wrapped tightly in her fiancé's arms.

Meanwhile, Nolan, Conrad, and Liam stood nearby. When the kiss ended, they fussed over Cecilia, quickly draping a coat over her shoulders and handing her coffee.

"The kiss lasted for so long," they chided, their voices tinged with concern. "Look at how swollen your lips are."

"Ceci, don't worry. Stay abroad and live happily with James," they had told her. "We'll keep Adrianna distracted so she'll never find you."

Only until then did Adrianna finally realize James had long fallen for Cecilia. He even staged his death to elope with her.

And the other three men had loved Cecilia, too. Pretending to love Adrianna was just a ploy to keep her from interfering with the woman they truly cared about.

After stumbling upon the truth, Adrianna fled in panic—only to be struck by a car moments later. Across the road, the four of them watched as she took her final breath.

In the end, it was Derick—her life nemesis, the one she often fought with—who gathered her remains and wept before her grave.

"Anna?" Lisa's voice pulled her back to the present. "Are you listening?"

Adrianna took a deep breath, her fingers trembling slightly.

"Mom, I've decided. At my 22nd birthday party, I'll announce that I'm choosing Derick as my fiancé."

"Please tell him to return as soon as possible." She paused, then continued in a soft, yet firm voice, "It's best if you and Dad go ask him in person. Otherwise, he probably won't believe it.

Lisa had no idea what Adrianna was up to, but she'd always doted on her daughter.

"Alright, if you insist," she said with a sigh. "We'll fly to Swarenthia tomorrow."

After hanging up, Adrianna let out a breath of relief and went upstairs. She opened a hidden compartment in her dressing room.

Inside were four exquisite boxes—one held a diamond necklace from James, another a limited-edition gift from Nolan, the third a highly valuable painting from Conrad, and the fourth a custom perfume from Liam.

Each of them was priceless, but they all reminded her of their lies in her past life.

She took them out and walked out of her dressing room. Just as she reached the garden, a familiar voice drifted over.

"James…" Cecilia sobbed, her eyes bloodshot. "It's almost Adrianna's 22nd birthday. She's smitten with you, so she'll definitely choose you.

"You'll soon be a married man, and I can't stay with you anymore. She's been sponsoring my studies, and it's bad enough that I've been deceiving her by being with you."

She lowered her head, her voice growing softer. "You're the respectable heir of the Emmons family, while I'm just a poor student living on the Quinnen family's charity. Let's just end our fleeting romance once and for all…"

Adrianna stopped in her tracks. Not far away, Cecilia was surrounded by four men.

James' expression was dark as he grabbed Cecilia's wrist. "Who said you could leave? Even if she chooses me, you're the only one I love.

"Don't worry. I've got everything sorted out. If she picks me, I'll arrange a plane crash on the day before the wedding and give up everything to take you away."

"Ceci, don't be afraid," Nolan said gently, offering her a handkerchief. "After you two elope, the three of us will keep Adrianna occupied so she won't be able to find you."

"Exactly. Just enjoy your life with James," Conrad added with a chuckle.

"But…" Cecilia bit her lip, tears welling in her eyes. "If Adrianna finds out, she'll be devastated."

The four men spoke in unison. "We only care about you. Whatever happens to Adrianna doesn't matter to us."

Behind the tree, Adrianna felt as if the wind had been knocked out of her. Indeed, she didn't matter to them at all—they had proved that in her past life.

With a stoic expression, she walked on, arms laden with boxes, heels clicking against the cobblestones.

"Adrianna?" Cecilia's expression changed drastically as she hurried over. "W-What brings you here?"

Adrianna didn't even look at her. "Taking out the trash."

"I'll help you!" Cecilia reached out for the boxes. "Your family paid for my tuition—I said I'd do anything to repay you!"

"No need."

"Please, don't be so polite—"

Both refused to give in. Just then, Cecilia twisted her ankle and lost her balance.

Screaming, she grabbed Adrianna's arm, and they both tumbled into the swimming pool. The cold water swallowed them in an instant.

Adrianna couldn't swim. She thrashed, desperate to reach the surface.

"Help…" she choked.

On the shore, four men jumped in—but not for her. She watched as they all swam frantically, Cecilia.

Bit by bit, she sank. Through the burning in her nose, she saw James lift Cecilia onto the poolside. Nolan wrapped her in his jacket. Conrad performed CPR on her while Liam called for an ambulance.

Finally, James grabbed Cecilia's chin and kissed her hard.

Chapter 2

In a daze, Adrianna stared blankly at James, who was trying to resuscitate Cecilia. Cold water dripped from her hair, but it couldn't compare to the sinking feeling in her stomach.

In her past life, James had always been aloof and reserved. He'd even scrub his hands repeatedly if he so much as touched her. She had assumed that he was a germaphobe, and he simply wasn't interested in women.

She thought she could change him.

But now, she finally understood. His heart already belonged to someone else—it was never hers to begin with.

With every ounce of strength she had, Adrianna clawed her way to the pool's edge, her nails digging deep into the ground.

She couldn't die. She still had to marry Derick.

Not far away, James finally ended that long "resuscitation" process. Cecilia cleared her throat twice and slowly opened her eyes.

"Ceci!" He heaved a sigh of relief and scooped her into his arms. "I'll take you to the hospital."

He turned and walked away without even glancing at Adrianna, who was completely drenched.

At the same time, the other three men snapped back to their senses and finally noticed Adrianna. She was struggling to climb out of the pool.

"Anna!"

Nolan rushed over first. Dressed in a navy blue suit, he remained sophisticated despite the chaos they were in. Conrad and Liam hurried after him.

The three of them stood before her, looking like a scene straight out of a movie.

"Anna, are you okay?" Nolan reached out, trying to steady her. "It was too chaotic earlier. We…"

"We mistook Cecilia for you," Conrad quickly added.

Liam handed her a towel. "Yeah, the water was murky. We couldn't see you."

Adrianna took the towel, her fingertips cold as ice. She found their excuses absolutely laughable. The water was clear, and Cecilia was in a white dress while she was in red. How could they possibly not tell them apart?

"You should go to the hospital," Nolan said warmly. "We'll keep you company."

She looked up, noting the anxiety in their eyes. They weren't trying to keep her company—they were just using it as an excuse to visit Cecilia at the hospital.

"No need." Adrianna tossed the towel back to them. "I'm fine."

"No way!" Conrad frowned. "You're drenched. What if you catch a cold—"

She cut him off. "If you feel like going to the hospital, go ahead."

The three men exchanged a glance.

"We're not sick. Why would we go to the hospital?" Liam finally said. "Don't be upset, okay? We really mistook her for you earlier. We'll make it up to you by skipping work in the next few days to keep you company, okay?"

Adrianna left without another word. The wet fabric clung to her body, each footstep heavier than the last as she trudged into the distance. Yet, she kept her back straight without looking back at them.

Over the next few days, three men tried every trick they knew to please Adrianna.

Nolan had sent over the latest haute couture gown, and Conrad had a rare pink diamond flown in. Liam simply handed her the keys to a limited-edition sports car.

"Anna, there's an auction going on tonight," Nolan said, handing her an invitation. "Would you like to go together?"

The way they desperately tried to please Adrianna made her snicker inwardly.

The auction hall glittered with gold and opulence. A magnificent crystal chandelier bathed the entire space, illuminating it brightly.

Adrianna strutted in carefully. Her champagne colored gown hugged her curves nicely, and yet in the next instant, she froze right away.

In the VIP section, James was carefully helping someone into her seat.

He wore an immaculate black suit, his tall, straight frame exuding effortless elegance. His eyes, which had once captivated her, were now brimming with affection for the woman beside him.

When James saw her, he frowned and walked toward her.

"Has your mother mentioned choosing a fiancé for you?" he asked evenly.

Adrianne met his indifferent gaze.

"I know you like me," he continued bluntly. "But I don't reciprocate your feelings. So, don't pick me."

With that, he turned on his heel and strode off. He held Cecilia close to him, so protective of her as if she were some treasure.

"Anna, don't be upset." Nolan immediately hurried over, gently placing his hand on her shoulder. "James has bad taste, but it doesn't mean others don't fancy you."

Conrad adjusted his glasses, his eyes sparkling with affection as he chimed in, "Yeah. The three of us are all smitten with you. We'll always be by your side."

Looking worried, Liam took a glass of champagne and handed it to her.

"Come on, take a sip," he urged. "Let's not dwell on those unhappy marriages."

Adrianna stared at them, noting the feigned look in their eyes. A self-deprecating smile crossed her face as she took the glass, her fingers so cold that it was unlike her.

"I'm fine," she said flatly.

"But I'm curious about something, Anna." Nolan leaned closer, his warm breath tingling her ear. "You chased Derick away back then, so there are only four of us left. So, who are you going to pick as your fiancé?"

Adrianna was about to tell him the truth—she didn't want any of them. But as the words reached the tip of her tongue, she changed her mind.

"You'll find out in a while."

Those words sent the men shifting in their seats.

She smirked. In her past life, she had suffered for two decades. Testing their nerves for just a few days was nothing compared to that.

As the auction officially began, the three of them kept asking what she liked, but she simply shook her head.

Meanwhile, James bought Cecilia everything she had her eye on. A diamond necklace, an antique pocket watch, an emerald bracelet… The list went on and on.

Adrianna glanced over, but her heart no longer throbbed as it did in her past life. She kept her calm and stared straight ahead.

But the moment the auctioneer lifted the red cloth off the final item, her eyes widened.

Chapter 3

It was Adrianna's late teacher's final work, "Spring Veil".

The familiar brushstrokes instantly brought back the image of Matt Simmons' frail, bony hand in his final days. He had patted her head with a kind smile, telling her how this painting was his life's work.

Now that he was gone, his widow cried herself to sleep every night. If Adrianna could win this bid, it might at least bring Helen Briggs some comfort.

"Five million." She raised her bidding paddle.

"James." Cecilia suddenly tugged at James' sleeve. "This painting is beautiful."

He immediately lifted his paddle. "Ten million."

"20 million," Adrianna gritted out.

"30 million."

The price climbed rapidly, and the entire auction hall fell silent.

Out of the corner of her eye, Adrianna spotted Nolan, Conrad, and Liam lowering their paddles—all because Cecilia was dying to win that painting.

How ironic.

Just ten minutes ago, they had vowed that they would buy whatever Adrianna wanted.

Her nails dug into her palm.

"50 million," she said, raising her paddle again.

"80 million."

"100 million."

In the end, James gestured to the auctioneer that he would be purchasing the painting no matter how high the bid went. He got up and strode across the red carpet, not even sparing Adrianna's pale expression a glance.

"Anna, don't be upset." Nolan hurried to console her. "If you like this painting that much, I'll check backstage and see if they have a similar one for you right away."

"I'll go too," Conrad quickly chimed in.

"Me as well." Liam followed right after.

As she watched them hurry off, her vision blurred. She took in a deep breath, struggling to contain the bitterness in her chest as she walked toward Cecilia.

Cecilia stood in the middle of the crowd, as if she were the star of the auction.

"Name your price." Adrianna's voice was eerily calm. "Five times, ten times, 20 times the value—and I'll pay it."

Cecilia chuckled, a triumphant glint flickering in her eyes. "I didn't expect someone like you could beg."

Tilting her head with mock innocence, she batted her lashes and continued, "But money isn't everything. Besides, I don't feel like selling this painting for now. But if you really want it, I might consider giving it to you if you beg properly."

Adrianna's breath hitched.

Cecilia had always put on a weak facade in front of men, but whenever she faced off with Adrianna, her arrogance was over the top.

This was why Adrianna could never like Cecilia. Until now, she still couldn't fathom why the four men had fallen for Cecilia.

"I told you, money isn't an issue," Adrianna snapped, clenching her fists.

"But I just want to see you beg." Cecilia beamed. "Otherwise…"

Adrianna's eyes fell on the painting Cecilia was toying with.

It was Matt's final work—the very thing Helen longed for night and day. Just imagining her weeping alone shattered Adrianna's heart.

"Fine. I'll do it!"

With all eyes on her, she sank to her knees. The cold marble floor bit through the thin fabric of her dress, but it was nothing compared to the chill in her chest.

Her voice was strange even when she got up. "Can I have it now?"

A wide grin suddenly spread across Cecilia's face—one that was of ultimate malice. Right in front of Adrianna, she gripped the frame at both ends and ripped the painting apart.

The sound of tearing canvas sliced through the silence like a knife.

"How dare you?"

Adriana's blood boiled. She slapped Cecilia hard across the face.

"Adrianna, what are you doing?" James roared, his voice echoing off the walls.

"James…" Cecilia's hand flew to her cheek, her eyes brimming with tears. "Don't blame Adrianna. It's all my fault. I shouldn't have come to the auction with you…"

She clutched his sleeve, her voice trembling perfectly on cue. "Adrianna likes you, after all. Naturally, she's upset after seeing you buy me so many things.

"I know my presence makes things hard for you all…" She suddenly shoved him away, stumbling backward. "So, just let me disappear completely!"

She turned around and bolted for the floor-to-ceiling window with alarming speed.

"Ceci!"

James' roar filled the hall, but it was too late.

The shattering of glass was followed by the heavy thud of a body hitting the ground.

Adrianna rushed to the window. Below, Cecilia lay limp in a pool of blood, the corners of her mouth curling into a triumphant smile.

Rage shot straight to James' head. His eyes turned bloodshot as he scooped Cecilia into his arms, and his voice was raw with fury as he snarled, "Someone, get her to the hospital!"

He glowered at Adrianna. If looks could kill, she would've been dead.

"Adrianna, you'd better pray. If anything happens to Ceci, I'll make you pay with your life!"

…

Time seemed frozen in the hospital's pale corridor.

A doctor came running, his voice thick with panic. "The patient is hemorrhaging badly and needs an urgent transfusion. But she has RH-negative blood, and the hospital's supply is nearly gone…"

James' head snapped toward Adrianna, who was being held by the guards.

"You have RH-negative blood, too," he said, glaring at her.

"No…" Cecilia's weak voice rang out from the bed as her eyes fluttered open. "It's all my fault. Adrianna's anemic, so please don't make her give me blood…"

"Now's not the time to worry about her! Ceci, you're just too kind." James held her hand, his voice so gentle that as if he were soothing a frightened animal.

But the moment he turned toward Adrianna, the tenderness in his eyes completely vanished.

"Bind her!"

"James, don't you dare?"

"Try me!"

Adrianna was forced onto the operating table, the cold metal biting into her back. In the midst of her frantic struggles, she kicked the instrument stand, sending surgical tools clattering to the floor.

"Seize her!" James barked.

At least three guards lunged at her and pinned her down.

Her hair came loose, and her gown was torn in the struggle, exposing her shoulder.

"James!" she screamed, her voice breaking with despair. "You'll regret this…"

"You're one to talk." James sneered, plunging the needle under her skin himself.

Blood flowed swiftly through the tube, and her consciousness began to fade.

In a daze, she felt herself back on that rainy night from her previous life—the blinding headlights, the ear-splitting screech of brakes, and the indifferent gazes of James and the three men across the road all flooding her mind at once.

Only Derick—her lifelong nemesis—had staggered toward her through the downpour, his hands trembling as he cradled her bloodied, limp body.

"Derick…"

A mix of tears and blood traced down Adrianna's cheeks, pooling into tiny puddles on the operating table.

"When are you coming back? I miss you so much," she whispered, her voice fading until it fell into silence.

Chapter 4

When Adrianna opened her eyes, the blinding white light made her instinctively raise an arm to shield them. The cluster of needle marks along her arm was a stark reminder of that brutal, forced blood draw.

"Anna, you're finally awake!"

Nolan was the first to rush to her bedside. His eyes, usually brimming with affection, were now full of feigned concern. He reached out to touch her face, but she turned away.

"Sorry, we were too late." Conrad's gentle, apologetic voice rang out beside her. "James has really gone too far. How could he force you to donate your blood?"

Liam handed her a glass of warm water. "Get some rest. We'll deal with James right now."

She watched their clumsy performance, her throat dry and burning.

After all, she was way too familiar with this. Every time James neglected her in the past, those three men would always appear at the right time and sweet-talk her into brushing off her sufferings.

"No need," she croaked. "Leave me alone."

The three of them exchanged a glance.

Nolan stood up first. "Alright, then you get some rest. We'll… be right back."

They left in such a hurry that they didn't even shut the door properly. Through the crack, Adrianna could hear their hushed conversation in the corridor.

"Has Ceci woken up yet?"

"James won't let anyone see her…"

"Let's go buy her favorite dessert first."

When the door finally clicked shut, she laughed—hard until tears spilled down her face. She was too exhausted to even bother exposing their lies.

In the days that followed, Adrianna had been spending her time in the hospital alone.

Every time the nurse came to change her dressing, she looked like she had something to say. But in the end, she only sighed.

"Ms. Quinnen, your friends aren't visiting you today?

Adrianna shook her head, her gaze falling on the bouquet of lilies on her nightstand. The edges of the petals had begun to yellow and curl—just like the false concern that came with them.

That bouquet had been from Nolan, three days ago.

Her phone buzzed with a message from Conrad.

"Anna, something urgent came up at the company. We have to go abroad. I've arranged the best caretaker for you, so don't worry."

Another message from Liam came through. "We'll bring you a gift when we're back, princess!"

"Focus on your recovery. When we return, I'll take you to your favorite restaurant."

The last message was from Nolan.

Adrianna tossed her phone aside. She didn't care whether they came or not—what she couldn't stand was the incompetence of the caretakers they hired.

They had spilled scalding water over her hand and hadn't noticed when her needles came loose. And during dressing changes, they had yanked the gauze so roughly that it made her wince in pain.

In the end, her injuries didn't heal. She gained new burns and bruises instead.

"I want to be discharged."

Finally, Adrianna could no longer bear it. She ignored their protests and signed the discharge papers.

At the same time, Nolan, Conrad, and Liam had finished dealing with their so-called company matter and came to pick her up.

As they passed the VIP ward, a tender exchange drifted out of the slightly ajar door.

"Just one more sip, okay?" James' low, doting voice echoed in the air. "The doctor said you need more nourishment."

Adrianna froze. Through the crack, she saw James feeding Cecilia soup, his movements as gentle as if she were a fragile treasure.

"Mr. Emmons hasn't left Ms. Reed's side these past few days," a passing nurse whispered to her colleague. "He's even postponed company meetings. Such devotion!"

Adrianna instantly gripped the hem of her shirt.

"Anna…" Nolan stepped forward, a hint of concern flickering across his face. "Don't be sad. James doesn't know what he's missing—but we like you."

"That's right," Conrad concurred gently. "You can choose one of us for your birthday party."

Liam leaned toward her as well. "We'll treat you right."

Adrianna smirked, though her eyes had turned cold. "I don't want to choose."

She met their gaze, enunciating each word. "I don't want any of you."

Chapter 5

Nolan, Conrad, and Liam exchanged a glance. They flashed an indulgent smile at Adrianna, clearly taking her rejection as nothing more than a spoiled woman's tantrum.

"How about this?" Liam suddenly leaned forward. "Anna, the weather's so nice today. Why don't we go to the equestrian club to relax a bit?"

She shook her head coolly. "I don't want to go."

"Don't be like that," Conrad said. "Getting some fresh air will speed up your recovery."

Nolan took her by the arm and pulled her toward the car. "Come on."

The royal equestrian club was a stretch of lush green under a gentle breeze carrying the scent of grass. Yet Adrianna felt nothing but a biting chill.

"Anna, pick a horse to ride first," Conrad said, handing her a helmet. "We'll go get some refreshments ready for you."

She accepted it and chose a gentle mare. All she wanted was to get away from these suffocating people, even if only for a brief moment of peace.

The mare began to trot, wind brushing across her face. For the first time in days, she was able to forget her troubles, if only a little.

But just as she let her guard down, a commotion erupted in the distance.

Her horse let out a sharp neigh. Only then did she realize hundreds of horses had burst out of nowhere, stampeding toward her like a tidal wave.

Panic shot through her. She yanked on the reins, trying to turn the mare around—but it was already too late. No matter how she pulled, the frightened animal refused to obey.

Amidst the chaos, she was thrown from the saddle, hitting the ground hard.

"Argh!"

When the first hoof came down on her calf, Adrianna heard the sound of bone shattering. Then came the second, the third…

She curled into a ball as a crimson puddle formed beneath her, staining the grass red. Before her consciousness fully faded, she thought she saw three figures in the distance, watching her with detached, cold eyes.

When Adrianna opened her eyes again, the blinding light made her squint.

Her entire body was covered in bandages, and it felt so numb as though it no longer belonged to her. Even the slightest movement sent a jolt of searing pain through her.

From outside, James' cold voice floated in. "You guys have gone too far."

She held her breath as he continued, "All I asked was for her to give Ceci a little blood.

"But you… You bribed the caretakers to torment her, then set loose hundreds of horses to trample her. Now she's suffering from a comminuted fracture in her whole body, and she nearly didn't make it."

"Serves her right for bullying Ceci." Liam's nonchalant tone sent shivers down her spine. "This was just a small price to pay."

"Pretending to like her every day disgusted me," Nolan said, each word stabbing her chest like a poisoned blade. "If it weren't for Ceci's sake, who would waste time playing house with her?"

Adrianna bit down on her lip until she tasted blood. So all those accidental burns, her blood flowing the wrong way in the syringe, and even this carefully staged accident had been nothing but revenge for Cecilia.

This was all beyond her.

Even if they didn't like her, they were still childhood friends who had grown up together. They had once doted on her, stayed by her bedside through the night when she was sick. They had even gone to great lengths to plan surprises for her birthday.

And now, for the sake of someone they had only known for a few months, they had left her completely shattered.

She wanted to rush out, demand answers, or scream and cry at them—but a tidal wave of pain swept over her, dragging her back into unconsciousness.

When Adrianna woke again, she was alone in the ward. Only the glow of her phone screen lit the room, displaying three unread messages.

"Anna, we're sorry. We failed to protect you, and we're too ashamed to face you. We're flying abroad to buy you gifts so we can make it up to you."

"Rest well and wait for us to return."

"Tell us what you want. We'll make sure to bring it back for you."

She set the phone down, too numb to even feel pain anymore. She didn't want to see them, nor deal with their fake concern. All she wanted was to lie in bed and recover in peace.

But that day, her ward door suddenly swung open.