Chapter 1

Although Malcolm Nicholson and Selene Sinclair have lived together like husband and wife for five years, their marriage was never officially registered.

He always said work kept him too busy, and that he couldn't make time for it. To him, it didn't matter whether they had the paperwork or not.

Selene believed him—until today.

She watched as Malcolm and her sister, who had disappeared for five years, walked out of the courthouse with their marriage certificate in hand.

Stella Sinclair threw herself into Malcolm's arms, her eyes red-rimmed with tears. She had the papers clutched tightly in her hand.

"Malcolm, I was wrong for running away back then." Stella's voice caught in her throat. "I know you're only marrying me because I have cancer, but I still want to ask.

"Did you really forget me after all these years? Did you fall in love with Selene?"

Malcolm stayed silent for a long time—long enough that Selene's fingernails dug into her palm, drawing blood.

"No," he finally said in a low voice. "Never."

Stella immediately broke into a smile through her tears. She rose on her toes and kissed him.

Malcolm's hand hovered in the air briefly, then slowly rested on her waist as he deepened the kiss.

Selene stood not far away. In that instant, she felt as if her entire life had collapsed around her.

If he never forgot Stella, then what was Selene to him?

A blaring horn snapped Selene out of her shock. With a tremble, she turned her head and saw three black Maybachs by the curb.

The three Sinclair brothers walked toward Stella and Malcolm in perfectly tailored suits.

"Have you gotten your marriage registered? We've already reserved a restaurant to celebrate."

Selene's whole body shook violently. These were the brothers who made her breakfast just this morning.

"Alaric, Alistair, and Alexander!" Stella ran crying into their arms. "I thought all of you had disowned me."

Alaric, Alistair, and Alexander Sinclair—older brothers to Selene and Stella—all exchanged glances. Their expressions were unreadable.

In the end, Alexander ruffled her hair and said, "Don't be silly. We've always been cleaning up your messes since you were a kid."

Stella smiled brightly through her tears and clung to her brother's arms, just like she did when she was little.

The four of them got into their cars happily. No one noticed Selene standing across the street, her face deathly pale.

When the cars disappeared, Selene stumbled into a tree. She scraped her arm on the rough bark, but that pain was nothing compared to what she felt inside.

Ever since they were children, Stella had always been the center of everyone's attention. Although they were twins, their brothers only had eyes for Stella.

While Selene lay in bed with a high fever, they were at the amusement park with Stella.

On her and Stella's birthday, Selene waited alone until late at night while they celebrated with Stella.

Selene had secretly loved Malcolm for ten years, only to watch him propose to Stella.

She used to think no one loved her, and this was just the way her life was meant to be.

That was until the wedding five years ago, when Stella ran off in a million-dollar wedding dress and disappeared with some thug.

The Sinclairs and Nicholsons were humiliated. Her brothers were so furious they declared on the spot, "From now on, Selene is our only sister!"

That night, Malcolm stumbled drunkenly into her room. He pinned her against the wall, brushing her cheek with his fingers as he looked at her with hazy eyes. He mumbled, "You look so much like her."

Then, he slipped the ring meant for Stella onto her ring finger.

"Since she ran away, will you marry me instead?" he proposed.

Selene knew she shouldn't have said yes, but she loved him too much.

For the past five years, Malcolm had spoiled her into the most envied woman in the city.

He spent a fortune at an auction just to buy a blue diamond necklace she merely took another glance at.

He reserved the entire top floor of the Freon Tower and lit up the whole city with fireworks just for her.

On nights when she woke from nightmares, he would even set aside international meetings just to hold her in his arms and quietly comfort her.

Her brothers had changed, too.

Alaric, the oldest brother, would wait outside her office every day without fail.

Alistair, the second brother, remembered her seafood allergy and would even double-check every seasoning.

Alexander, the third brother, had stayed up late to help her revise her design proposal. He said with a smile, "Nothing's more important than our Selene."

Selene had foolishly believed she was finally loved.

That was until Stella's return today. Everyone's love for Selene vanished in an instant.

Selene watched as the cars disappeared into the distance and suddenly let out a laugh.

It started softly, then grew louder and louder until she doubled over. Her tears fell onto the pavement. Passersby glanced her way, but no one knew why such a pretty young lady was crying so bitterly.

So she had just been a thief all these years.

She had stolen all the love that was meant for Stella. Now that the real one was back, it was time for the stand-in to step aside.

"Since all of you only love her…" Selene took a deep breath. Her chest was tight, and it hurt so badly that she could hardly breathe. "Then I don't want any of you either!"

She flagged down a cab and told the driver, "Take me to the International Private Island Trading Center."

…

Half an hour later, Selene pushed open heavy glass doors and said to the receptionist, "Hello, I would like to buy an uninhabited island."

The receptionist was clearly stunned, but she quickly called the manager.

The manager was a man in his 40s in a sharp suit, with keen, calculating eyes.

"Ms. Selene, the island you're looking at is rather unique. It has a beautiful view, but there's no signal or shipping routes, and the nearest supply boat only comes once every three months," the manager said.

He paused, then added, "If you choose to go there, you'll be completely cut off from the world, as if you have vanished without a trace. Are you sure you want to buy it?"

Selene replied, "I'm sure."

Chapter 2

The manager took one look at Selene's red-rimmed eyes and didn't dare to ask anything more.

He quickly settled the paperwork. Then, he said respectfully, "We'll process everything as soon as possible and let you know when you'll be able to get on the island."

Selene signed her name without hesitation. Then, she pulled out a black card from her purse. She swiped it with a steady hand, without the slightest tremble.

…

By the time Selene got home, it was already dark.

When she opened the door, warm light spilled from the living room, lighting up a cozy scene on the couch.

Malcolm was peeling an apple for Stella, and he held the fruit knife with much grace. The Sinclair brothers sat around the couch, and Alistair was holding up some pills.

He coaxed gently, "Stella, it's time to take your medicine."

"They're too bitter," Stella whined and scrunched up her nose. "I want candy."

Alexander immediately pulled out a milk candy from his pocket and said, "It was your favorite when you were little. I've always kept some for you."

Selene stood in the entryway. Her fists were clenched so tightly that her nails dug deep into her palms.

"Selene?" Malcolm was the first to notice her. He put down the fruit knife and walked over. "Why weren't you home today? Where did you go?"

His voice was still gentle, as if he hadn't been the one kissing Stella in his arms outside the courthouse that afternoon.

Selene didn't speak. Her gaze passed him and landed on Stella.

Malcolm followed her line of sight. Then, he explained matter-of-factly, "Stella came back because she's terminally ill. Her last wish is for us to stay with her during her final days."

Then, he paused and added, "She was wrong to run away from the wedding, but she's still your sister. For your sake—"

"For my sake?" Selene suddenly laughed. "Or maybe, you just never stopped thinking about her?"

Malcolm frowned slightly. "Selene…"

"Selene!" Alaric came over. He reached out to ruffle her hair out of habit, but his hand froze halfway.

Instead, he patted her shoulder and said, "Stella doesn't have much time left. It's not like we can't make room for one more person in this house."

"That's right," Alistair added. "She was unruly as a child. But life has beaten her down, and she has learned her lesson. In the end, we're still family."

Alexander walked over and added to the pressure. "Selene, you've always been the most sensible, right?"

As Selene listened to them talking one after another, the pain in her chest grew so sharp it turned numb.

Finally, she nodded lightly. "Okay."

The four men all let out a sigh of relief, and their expressions softened with satisfaction.

"Stay here with Stella," Malcolm said gently. "We'll go get her room ready."

Stella didn't approach Selene until the men's footsteps could no longer be heard upstairs.

She looked sickly and pale, but there was a palpable smugness in her eyes. "Selene, it's been five years. I brought you a gift."

Selene instinctively took a step back.

Ever since they were children, Stella's "gifts" had been dolls with needles hidden in them or cakes laced with laxatives.

"Don't worry." Stella smiled brightly, looking innocent. "I won't hurt you like I did five years ago anymore."

With that, she shoved a gift box into Selene's arms and even "helpfully" opened the lid.

Selene screamed. A pitch-black venomous snake shot out and sank its fangs into her wrist. The sharp pain spread in an instant, and she flung the box away out of reflex.

It hit Stella square on the shoulder.

Stella collapsed to the ground and let out a shrill, anguished cry. "It hurts!"

"What happened?"

The four men ran downstairs to such a scene before them.

Stella was on the ground in tears, and Selene clutched her bleeding wrist with a pale face.

Malcolm was the first to rush over. He shoved Selene aside and yelled, "What are you doing?"

Selene stumbled into a coffee table, and pain shot through her lower back.

"Stella was kind enough to give you a gift," Alaric said coldly as he helped Stella up. "And this is how you treat her?"

"It was a snake." Selene broke out in a cold sweat from the pain. "She set a venomous snake on me!"

"You're making things up!" Alexander cut her off sharply. "Stella can barely walk. How could she possibly get a snake to harm you?"

Stella sobbed, tears streaming down her face. "Malcolm, Alaric, Alistair, and Alexander, I just wanted to give her a gift and make peace. I didn't think she still hated me so much that she would accuse me like this."

Selene hadn't expected Stella's acting would still be this good after five years. She swallowed her frustration and forced herself to reach for the gift box.

She said, "I'm not lying! If you don't believe me, just look—"

"Enough!" Malcolm grabbed her wrist, and blood poured from the snake bite. "She's your sister, and she's sick. How could you be so cruel?"

Alistair already had Stella in his arms. "We need to get her to the hospital first. She can't handle any stress now."

The four of them hurried out. No one spared Selene another glance.

"It really… was a snake," she mumbled as she sank to her knees. The venom spread, and her vision blurred.

She saw the housekeeper, Emma White, rush over in a panic. Selene heard the woman's terrified shouting, but she was beginning to lose consciousness.

"Mrs. Nicholson!" Emma kneeled beside her, trembling as she patted Selene's face. "Wake up!"

…

The ambulance sped toward the hospital with its sirens wailing.

But just as the medics pushed Selene into the emergency room, the doctors were urgently called away.

"I'm sorry. All doctors have been called to the VIP ward," the nurse said hesitantly. "Ms. Stella's condition suddenly got worse. We've been told all doctors must attend to her today. You'll have to go somewhere else."

Emma's voice shook with urgency. "No, we can't! Mrs. Nicholson can't hold on much longer. If we move hospitals, she'll die!"

Selene lay on the hospital bed, slipping in and out of consciousness. She was drenched in cold sweat from the pain, but the ache in her heart hurt even more.

She fumbled for her phone and used the last of her strength to call Malcolm.

The phone rang for a long time before he finally picked up.

"Malcolm…" Her voice was faint as a whisper. "A venomous snake bit me. Can you please… send a doctor."

"Selene!" Malcolm's tone was as cold as ice. "Stella's condition has gotten worse because you pushed her! She has cancer. How could you be so cruel? Even now, you're still putting on an act?"

"No, I really am—"

He cut off the call heartlessly.

Selene clutched her phone and wept silently, tears sliding down her cheeks. She curled up in pain, and her consciousness grew fuzzier and fuzzier.

"Mrs. Nicholson!" Emma cried as she shook Selene. "Don't fall asleep! Please, stay with me!"

But Selene couldn't hold on anymore. It hurt so much, and she was so tired.

Slowly, she closed her eyes.

Chapter 3

When Selene woke up again, it was already the next day.

She slowly opened her eyes, and the smell of disinfectant filled her nose.

"Mrs. Nicholson, you're finally awake!" Emma rushed to Selene's bedside with reddened and swollen eyes.

She gripped Selene's cold fingers in her rough hands and said, "You scared me half to death!"

"I…" Selene's voice was hoarse. "How did I survive?"

Emma burst into tears again. "A kind doctor couldn't bear to watch on any longer and secretly gave you the antivenom. He said if it had been ten minutes later, you would've died."

As she spoke, her voice broke even more. "Ms. Selene, I begged Mr. Alaric and told him the snake bite was real, but he said you were faking it. Mr. Alistair refused to even see me.

"Mr. Alexander even… He even said you deserved it."

Emma wiped her tears, and her voice trembled harder. "Mr. Nicholson was the worst! I begged him to come and see you, but he said you were becoming increasingly unreasonable. He even said I was in on your lie."

"Mrs. Nicholson." Emma suddenly grabbed Selene's hand tightly. Her rough palm gave off small ebbs of warmth. "You were so kind to them. Last winter, Mr. Alaric stayed out drinking with clients until 3:00 am.

"You were in the kitchen in thin clothing, making chicken soup to warm him up when he returned. You ended up catching a cold from the chill.

"When Mr. Alistair's company ran into financial trouble, you secretly sold the emerald bracelet your grandmother left you.

"You stayed up for three nights without sleep when Mr. Alexander had a high fever that wouldn't go down. In the end, you collapsed from exhaustion yourself."

Emma got more worked up as she spoke. "And Mr. Nicholson, too! Even his mother can't remember what brand of ties he likes or how he takes his coffee, but you remember every single detail.

"But now, they all orbit around Ms. Stella—the same woman who ditched Mr. Nicholson at the altar, and the same sister who bullied you since you were little.

"Yet somehow, she has everyone's love. Why is it all so unfair?"

Selene listened in silence, and her chest constricted tightly. Tears slid from the corners of her eyes and onto the pillow, soaking the white fabric.

The pain she felt now was a thousand times worse than the snake bite.

But it didn't matter, as all of it would be over soon. She would be leaving for the uninhabited island in no time.

There would be no lies or stand-ins.

And there would be no them.

…

After two days of recovery at the hospital, Selene went home.

The moment she opened the door, cheerful birthday songs and laughter filled the air. The living room was filled with well-dressed guests, clinking glasses, and lively chatter.

Beneath the crystal chandelier, countless high-society guests raised their glasses and drank happily.

Malcolm and the Sinclair brothers stood around Stella, celebrating her birthday.

Stella wore an exquisite gown, smiling sweetly. She looked nothing like someone who was terminally ill.

When they saw Selene return, the smiles on the four men's faces froze.

"Weren't you dying?" Alaric looked at her coldly, his gaze sharp behind his gold-rimmed glasses. "You look very much alive to me."

Alistair frowned. The wine glass in his hand reflected a cold glint of light. "Stella doesn't have much time left. Can't you be a bit more sensible?"

Alexander fiddled with his watch, his voice filled with impatience. "Can you stop lying all the time from now on?"

Malcolm walked over to Selene. His tone was gentle, yet it left no room for argument. "Stella's days are numbered, so don't argue with her again."

He paused, then added, "I know you mind my past with Stella, but you're my wife now."

Selene's chest clenched painfully.

Did he actually say she was his wife?

Selene was the one who stayed beside him all these years. She was the one who helped him through the lowest points in his life. She let him take whatever he wanted from her, whenever and however he pleased.

But now that Stella was back, it was her he signed the marriage certificate with!

Selene's eyes grew red-rimmed, but she smiled. It was a bitter smile that ached deep within her chest.

It was the first time Malcolm saw her like this. For some reason, a wave of panic washed over him.

Just as he was about to speak, Stella's sweet voice came from behind him. "Malcolm, Alaric, Alistair, and Alexander, come help me cut the cake."

The big screen in the living room lit up, playing a video filled with birthday messages.

The first half was filled with heartfelt wishes from the guests. But halfway through, the footage suddenly switched to indecent photos of Stella in bed with the thug she ran off with.

At the end, the screen froze on a line of blood-red text that said, "This is the birthday gift I prepared specially for you, Stella. I hope you like it, my darling twin."

The entire villa erupted into chaos.

"Turn it off, now!" Alaric roared, his furious shouting seemingly loud enough to make the chandelier shake.

Alistair immediately yanked the power cord out.

Alexander stormed over to the guests and warned each of them, "Check your phones. If anyone dares leak this, you'll deal with the consequences!"

Stella was trembling all over. Her carefully styled hair had come undone and was now a disheveled mess.

Her face was deathly pale, and large drops of tears streamed down her face. "Selene, you already took Malcolm from me and stole all the love from our brothers. I'm already dying, so why are you still treating me this way?"

Stella staggered back two steps, then her eyes suddenly rolled back as she fell backward.

"Stella!" Malcolm lunged forward and swept her into his arms.

For the first time, panic flashed across his usually calm and aloof face. "Call a doctor! Now!"

Before he left, he turned and glared icily at Selene. The chill in his eyes sent a wave of pain through her.

The Sinclair brothers quickly surrounded her.

"Selene!" Alaric grabbed her wrist hard enough to crush bone. "Look what you've done to Stella! We told you she doesn't have long. Why do you keep going after her?"

"I didn't do it!" Selene shook her head desperately, her voice shaking. "I didn't release those photos!"

"You're still making excuses when the evidence is clear?" Alistair sneered. "In our family, you get punished for making mistakes!"

His words hit Selene so hard that she felt a stabbing pain in her chest.

She remembered when Stella pushed her down the stairs when they were 12 years old. The Sinclair brothers said, "She didn't mean it."

During their 18th birthday, Stella threw Selene's cake in the trash. The brothers claimed that she was just "fooling around".

Selene recalled that winter when Stella locked her out to freeze on the balcony all night. Their brothers merely said, "Stella's just been in a bad mood lately."

Yet, they wanted to punish Selene now?

Chapter 4

"On the floor. Now," Alexander ordered coldly.

The bodyguards rushed forward at once and grabbed Selene's shoulders roughly as if she were a criminal. She struggled, but they forced her onto the cold marble floor.

Her knees hit the floor hard, and pain darkened her vision.

Alaric raised the whip that he had readied. It cracked loudly through the air before slashing across her back.

The pain exploded through her body, sharp and intense. Selene bit down hard on her lower lip, and she could taste the blood in her mouth.

But stubbornly, she refused to make a sound.

"Do you admit you were wrong?" Alaric asked coldly.

"I did nothing wrong," she spat out the words with difficulty.

Another loud crack echoed through the hall, and the next blow was even harder. Blood soaked through her thin dress and bloomed on her back, spreading across the fabric.

"Do you admit it now?" Alaric growled.

Selene shouted back, "I did nothing!"

The whip came down again and again, each strike seemingly hard enough to split her in half. Blood slowly soaked through her white dress and pooled on the floor in a shocking red.

"Please, stop! I'm begging you. Please stop hitting her!" Emma sobbed as she begged from the floor. "Mrs. Nicholson will die from that. She really will!"

But the Sinclair brothers ignored Emma, and the whipping continued.

Selene's mind started to blur. In a daze, she heard Alexander sneer. "If she won't admit her mistake, then we'll beat her until she does."

When the final strike fell, Selene couldn't take it anymore. Everything went black as she passed out.

Just before she lost consciousness, the last thing she saw was the pool of blood on the floor and her brothers' cold, emotionless eyes.

…

Selene was left alone in a room for three full days. As she lay in bed, she could hear the happy chatter from next door loud and clear.

Through the walls came Stella's soft and cutesy voice, the brothers' gentle coaxing, and Malcolm's deep laughter. The sounds tortured Selene day and night, all of it making her chest ache.

"Stella, take your medicine."

"I don't want to. It's too bitter."

"Be good. I'll give you candy after."

"Malcom, feed me."

Selene buried her face into her pillow and dug her nails into her palm. She thought she was already numb to everything, but each breath still sent a stabbing pain through her chest.

On the fourth morning, she could barely get out of bed. While holding onto the wall for support, she slowly made her way to the stairs and happened to hear an excited discussion going on downstairs.

"I heard there's a pod of dolphins in this part of the ocean recently," Malcolm said, his tone unusually cheerful. "Stella's always wanted to see them."

"Let's go today, then," the Sinclair brothers agreed at once. "It'll cheer her up."

Selen froze at the landing, her fingers trembling slightly as she held onto the railing. The wounds on her back hadn't healed, and every step sent a searing pain through her.

"Selene?" Stella suddenly looked up and called out in surprise. "You're finally out of bed!"

The four men turned to look at Selene on the staircase, the emotions in their eyes unreadable.

Selene had grown frighteningly thin. Her loose nightgown hung on her frame, and bruises still marked her wrist.

We're going to see the dolphins," Stella said as she jogged lightly up the stairs and clung to Selene's arm. "Come with us, okay?"

Selen pulled her arm back out of instinct, and Stella's eyes grew red-rimmed in an instant.

"Selene, I've already forgiven you," Stella said, her voice choked. "Although you ruined my reputation… I don't have much time left, and I don't want to hold grudges."

"Selene!" Malcolm strode toward them and pulled Stella behind him. "Stella's trying to make peace, and this is how you're behaving?"

Alexander sneered. "Exactly. Take a look at Stella, then at yourself. It's clear who's the better person."

Selene bit her lip so hard that she tasted blood. She looked at the four people who used to be closest to her.

Now, they all felt like strangers.

…

In the end, they forced Selene onto the yacht to keep Stella happy.

The blue sea stretched endlessly. Sunlight reflected off the deck, so bright that it was hard to keep one's eyes open.

Stella excitedly suggested a barbecue. The four men immediately frowned and rejected the idea.

"I'm already dying." Stella looked down, her voice extremely faint. "Can't you let me do what I want?"

"Don't say that!" Alistair hurriedly covered her mouth. "We've already contacted the best experts abroad. You'll be fine."

Selene sat quietly in the corner. She watched them bustle around, getting the barbecue ready.

No one remembered she was allergic to seafood, just like no one remembered she still had wounds on her back.

"Why aren't you eating?" Malcolm suddenly noticed her.

"I'm allergic to seafood," Selene said softly.

The atmosphere turned awkward in an instant.

Malcolm frowned. He was about to call for the chef to bring her something else when strong winds suddenly blew.

The yacht shook violently, and the grill flipped over, sending hot coals flying everywhere.

"Watch out!" Malcolm yelled.

Selene watched as all four men threw themselves around Stella, shielding her with their bodies.

Selene screamed as a clump of burning coal landed on her skirt, flames bursting to life at once.

She rolled on the ground in agony, screaming, but no one turned to look at her.

Chapter 5

Malcolm and the Sinclair brothers were anxiously checking Stella for injuries. A small patch on her arm had been burned red.

"Stella, are you okay?"

"Let me see!"

"It's a little bit red. Get the medicine!"

It was a passing crew member who finally saw Selene. He ran over in a panic and quickly put out the flames on her body with a fire extinguisher.

"Miss! Miss, hang in there!" he shouted frantically.

Through blurred vision, Selene saw the four men rushing into the cabin with Stella in one of their arms. Not one of them spared her a glance.

By the time Selene was carried into her room, she was in too much pain to speak.

Large areas of her skin were burned, and even the slightest touch made blood and fluid seep out. The crew member ran to get a doctor, leaving her alone in the room.

Suddenly her phone buzzed.

"Ms. Selene, we still need a few more documents for the island you purchased."

"I'll send them now," Selene replied through the pain, her voice hoarse. "Please settle it fast. I need to get on the island soon."

Just as she finished speaking, she heard Malcolm's icy voice from behind her. "Who were you talking to?"

"No one." Selene hung up and hid her phone under the blanket.

Malcolm stood at the door, frowning slightly as if he sensed something was off. Just as he was about to question her, his eyes fell on the horrifying burns on her body.

"How did you get burned like this?" He rushed over, his voice unusually flustered. "Why didn't you call for me?"

Selene looked down and smiled bitterly. Why didn't she call for him?

She had been screaming and rolling on the deck in pain. The flames scorched her hair, but he hadn't even looked back.

So what was the point of calling for him?

"I'm fine," she said softly. "The doctor will be here soon. Go stay with Stella. She needs you more."

But expectedly, Malcolm sat at the edge of her bed. He said, "There are people taking care of her. I'll wait here while you get treated."

He sat by the bed, brushing the hair from her forehead with his fingers. His touch was as tender as it used to be, but Selene simply looked at him calmly.

Her gaze held none of the joy or excitement she used to feel.

He was already married to someone else now. He was Stella's husband.

Who would fall for a married man?

From the moment he secretly got married to Stella, it was over between them.

"Does it hurt?" Malcolm asked softly, his brows slightly furrowed.

Selene shook her head lightly in silence.

Did it hurt? Of course it did.

But compared to the pain in her heart, the burns were nothing.

The doctor soon arrived and carefully treated her wounds. Every touch was so painful that it made her break out in a cold sweat.

Still, Selene bit down hard on her lip and refused to make a sound.

"Malcolm!" Stella's sweet voice called from outside. "Hurry, come and look at the dolphins! They're beautiful!"

Malcolm hesitated briefly, then helped Selene up. "Let's go have a look."

On the deck, the setting sun dyed the ocean gold. A pod of dolphins leapt from the water in graceful arcs.

"Hurry, make a wish! They say if you make a wish while watching dolphins, it'll come true!" Stella exclaimed. She pressed her palms together and closed her eyes to make her wish.

Malcolm set Selene on a lounge chair.

She looked at the absurd scene before her. The four men had never believed in such things, yet they actually closed their eyes, doting and indulgent. They looked like they were praying sincerely in church.

She knew all their wishes had to be about Stella.

Selene slowly closed her eyes, too.

"Selene, what did you wish for?" Stella suddenly leaned in and asked curiously.

The four men turned to look at her as well.

Selene looked at them and said in a measured tone, "I wish that for the rest of my life, I'll never see Malcolm, Alaric, Alistair, Alexander, or Stella again."