I closed the photo album and looked out the window.The warm sunlight spilled onto the edge of the bed, and the reddening maple leaves were a beautiful sight to see.I wondered how many days I still had left.I collapsed on the street right after I left the banquet hall. Still, someone managed to get me to the hospital. The doctor said there was little hope left, and it would be best for me to fulfill my last wishes anytime soon.When I heard the verdict, I only smiled in reply.After all, I had no more wishes left. I had already finished the designs my mother left behind, even though my name wouldn't be on them. As for Ethan… He had Hannah. Perhaps he would even feel relieved once I was gone.Suddenly, a familiar voice called out, "Emilia!"When I heard that voice, I blinked and thought in amusement that the sayings were indeed true. They said one would start to hallucinate as their life came to an end."Emilia! Emilia!" Ethan's voice grew clearer.When the familiar scent sur
Day by day, time drifted by.As the last maple leaf outside the window fell, I suddenly said to Ethan, "I want to feel the sun."Ethan paused when he heard me. Then, he smiled and said, "Alright. I'll take you right now."So, he quickly fetched a wheelchair and gently wheeled me to the maple tree.I smiled and said, "I think the last time we were out in the sun together was when I was four. You took me to the park to play on the swings, but you accidentally sent me flying."Ethan also smiled and replied, "Yeah. I remember I got scolded when we got home. From now on, I'll take you out more often."I didn't reply to his last words. Instead, I looked at him and said calmly, "These past few years have really been hard on me, Ethan. I was even afraid to feel the sun because I didn't think I deserved it."Ethan's face went pale in an instant. "No… That's not it…"Before he could finish his words, I cut him off and said, "I'm the one responsible for our parents' deaths, so I don't des
I had just gotten home when my phone rang. It was Ethan Perry.The crumpled diagnosis paper was still in my hand.His voice was as cold as ice. "Where are you now?"Before I could answer, he barked another order. "Today is the launch event for Eternal Dawn. Get here on time. Don't be late."And with that, he hung up—curt as ever, not a single unnecessary word.The last rays of sunset filtered into the room. I sat at my desk and tore the diagnosis paper into shreds, watching them scatter across the table.Just then, Ethan sent me an address.Steeling myself, I exhaled deeply, then slipped on my finest dress and the one expensive piece of jewelry I owned.If I were to go to this launch event, I would attend it in style. Eternal Dawn was, after all, my mother's last design sketch. I had poured my heart into bringing it to life, fulfilling her vision, stitch by careful stitch.But when the host finally took the stage, he announced, "Please welcome the creator of Eternal Dawn, Hann
Ethan was my brother. But for the past 21 years, he had harbored nothing but hatred for me. In his eyes, I was the one who killed our parents.It happened on my fifth birthday. Mom and Dad were away on business in a nearby province, but they hadn't forgotten me. As soon as they wrapped up work, they called to ask what I wanted as a gift.Young and naive, I only wished to celebrate with them and my brother—to share my birthday cake, to share that simple joy.To make that wish come true, they jumped in the car and rushed home through the night.But instead of a birthday, it became a day of mourning. My birthday marked the day they died.After they were gone, the family tore itself apart, fighting tooth and nail for custody of me and Ethan. None of them cared for us—it was all about getting their hands on our parents' wealth.Finally, my maternal uncle stepped in, beating them all to win custody. When he brought us home, his eyes were red with grief. He promised that every pen
I patted Melody on the shoulder, whose face was pale with fear, and walked into the room. Hannah followed closely behind.Ethan sat at his desk, his expression as cold as a winter's day, eyes sharp with suppressed anger.People used to say that despite him and I sharing the same womb, we only looked alike in the eyes—that sharp upward tilt that gave us both a natural, aloof chill.Neither of us had ever been much for smiling. And after I turned five, he never smiled at me again."Emilia." He called my name with a frown. "How could you let your assistant insult Hannah? Is cruelty just part of your nature?"I turned and met Hannah's gaze. Her eyes, slightly red and glistening with unshed tears, sparkled with the innocence she had perfected so well, making her look delicate and fragile. It was a skill I could never master."Are you even listening to me?" Ethan snapped, losing patience as I stayed silent.He hurled a folder from the desk at me, and its sharp edge sliced across my
Each day passed, my health slipping with the sands of time.Ethan had berated me with biting sarcasm over the phone that day, and since then, he hadn't reached out.The silence was a blessing. Alone in my tiny hideaway, I flipped through my calendar, savoring the quiet, tracking how little time I had left.Suddenly, I received a message from Hannah.She was inviting me to the exhibition party for Eternal Dawn. At the end of her message, she added a pointed line, 'Emilia, I'm sure Aunt Eleanor would want you to see her life's work come to life.'I hesitated, but curiosity got the better of me. I had to see it for myself.…The grand hall was bright and brimming with noise. Clinking glasses, lively chatter, and laughter swirled in the air. It was overwhelming, a stark contrast to the solitude I had become accustomed to.My fingers clenched instinctively at my side.Across the room, I spotted Ethan walking beside Hannah, introducing her with a smile to the guests. It felt surre
"Emilia!"Before I even registered the shout, a brutal kick landed, slamming me to the ground, the knife clattering beside me.I looked up, only to see my brother, Ethan, his face a mask of cold disgust."What is wrong with you?" His voice was like thunder, each word striking with force.I blinked, disoriented, feeling the ache at my temples intensify as if my veins were twisting in fury. My eyes burned, dry to the point of pain, but not a word escaped me.Hannah rushed to him, sobbing. "Ethan, I had no idea Emilia was here having a private moment with her boyfriend. I didn't mean to interrupt…" she said innocently.The implication hung thick in the air—my outburst had been due to her stumbling upon my 'intimate rendezvous.'Chad played his part smoothly, adding, "Sorry, Emilia's just shy. You barged in and startled her. That's why she freaked out."Ethan's gaze traveled over my disheveled state, his expression hardening with contempt. "Emilia, how low can you go?" He sneered.
Emilia's parting words had barely faded when Ethan's own response slipped out, thoughtless and reflexive. "Then go ahead and die."She laughed—a quiet, broken sound—then stumbled out of the hall, leaving behind a trail of red.The blood seared itself into memory, a garish reminder that lingered long after she had gone.Later, he would lose count of the nights he spent wondering—what if he had been paying closer attention, just that once? What if he hadn't let those words escape so carelessly? What if he had followed her instead of letting her walk away?But all he had done was turn away with an expression as blank as a slate, gesturing coldly to the staff. "Clean this mess up. It's unsightly."Hannah hurried to his side, looping her arm through his naturally, her voice soft with practiced guilt. "Sorry, Ethan, I didn't mean to upset you. I only thought it was right to invite Emilia since we're family, after all. "But it's my fault for not stopping her… This is all on me…"Her v