Bethany finally managed to get back all the wedding invitations she had sent out. She was about to head home when Shane called.

His voice was hoarse. “Get back all the invitations you sent out. We can talk about the wedding later. Yelena’s still unstable. I don’t want her to get upset right now.”

Shane had already thought of what he would say if Bethany refused. He would try to guilt-trip her like usual.

However, Bethany showed no emotion. She simply said, “Okay.”

Shane was stunned. Even over the phone, he could sense the change in her.

He knew Bethany hated anyone touching her personal things, yet he had crossed that line for Yelena.

He had sent her money for the dress to stop her from arguing. That trick had always worked before. This time, she accepted it quietly, which felt strange.

Shane licked his dry lips and said awkwardly, “I know Yelena’s behavior bothers you. I promise I’ll make her cooperate with the doctors and get better as soon as possible.”

“Shane, the water is ready. It’s your turn to shower!” Yelena hollered at exactly the wrong moment.

Shane opened his mouth to explain, but Bethany had already hung up.

Bethany found it almost laughable. Yelena’s report clearly stated she had bipolar disorder, yet she had never received any real treatment. Every time, she clung to Shane and demanded he stay with her.

Shane’s promises were empty. He would never keep them.

Thinking about that, Bethany felt her heart grow cold. She started packing.

She had only a few clothes, so just one suitcase was enough.

After six years in this house, her belongings were everywhere.

Photos of her and Shane were on the nightstand. Her pink apron hung in the kitchen. The couple’s toothbrush cups were in the bathroom.

She threw all of her belongings into the trash. She cut herself out of the photos on the nightstand and left only Shane.

Shane’s gifts, no matter their value, were all discarded. Anything burnable went into the fire. Everything else went into the trash.

Even the wedding ring, a symbol of their everlasting love, was sold. She donated the money she got from it.

Sea City had grown colder. Bethany developed a high fever that night, probably from the chill.

Living with Shane instead of her parents had taught her to take care of herself.

Even with a burning, dizzy head, she called an ambulance.

Bethany did not know when she fell asleep or how long she had slept.

When she woke, Shane was at her bedside. He looked worried. Yelena had not come.

Shane’s voice was hoarse, but his concern was real. “Why didn’t you tell me you were sick? I called you, but you didn’t answer. If the security downstairs hadn’t called me, I wouldn’t have known you were in the hospital. Were you trying to scare me?”

Bethany smiled, but her eyes were cold. “What’s the point? Weren’t you with your dear sister Yelena?”

Whenever she needed Shane, he was never there. His care and warmth had never been for her. She had learned to rely on herself over the past six years.

Shane frowned. “Are you blaming me? When I found out you were sick, I booked a flight back immediately. What more do you want from me?”

Bethany sneered. “I didn’t need you to come. I can take care of myself.”

Shane’s heart sank. Was this still the Bethany who had relied on him?

He stayed silent until his phone rang again.

It was Yelena. Bethany could hear her angry voice clearly over the phone.

“Shane, you left me alone in Maldivea just for Bethany?!”

Shane glanced at Bethany lying pale in the hospital bed and lowered his voice.

“Bethany is sick and in the hospital. We’ll talk about this later.”

Yelena snorted and said, “She conveniently fell sick right now? There’s no way that’s a coincidence! Don’t be fooled. She’s faking it!”

Bethany could hear Yelena’s words clearly. She held back her anger and looked at Shane.

Shane frowned and, as always, said softly, “Don’t worry. I’ll come back to you after she is discharged. Be a good girl, okay?”

Yelena did not stay in Maldivea to wait for Shane. The next day, she flew back and went straight to the hospital.

When she saw Bethany lying in bed with an IV drip, Yelena smiled mockingly.

“Nice act! Is pretending to be weak all you can do? Only Shane would fall for something that lame!”

Bethany knew exactly what she meant. Years ago, she had stood outside the boys’ dorm all night in the pouring rain while waiting for Shane.

She remembered clearly how hard it rained that night. She stood there in the storm with a guitar she had carefully chosen for Shane.

The rain soaked her thin shirt and drenched her face.

She fainted before Shane showed up.

After that, she told herself it was not the end of the world. Loving someone who did not love her back was not the worst thing that could happen.

Just as she decided to give up, Shane finally gave in. He said he would give their relationship a try. That was how she finally got the man she had wanted for so long.

That rain brought her love, but it also brought her pneumonia.

She got better later, but it left her with a lingering cough.

Whenever the weather turned cold, she would start coughing.

Bethany looked at Shane. For just a moment, she hoped he would step in to defend her.

But she knew he would not.

Yelena was pushy, and Bethany had put up with her long enough.

She was about to break up with Shane anyway, so there was no need to keep pretending to be nice.

Bethany said, “When it comes to pretending, I could never compare to you. All your tricks are pointless. You’ll always only be Shane’s sister.”

The words hit Yelena like a slap.

She lost her temper and threw herself at Bethany. Bethany raised her arm to block her. The IV needle snapped. A sharp pain shot through her hand, and she let out a cry.

Blood mixed with the IV fluid and splashed onto her white hospital gown.

Yelena had started it, so Bethany did not plan to back down. She ignored the pain in her hand and raised her arm to slap Yelena.

Before she could, Shane stepped between them. The sound of the slap filled the room, and a red mark bloomed on Shane’s face.

His brows furrowed, and his face darkened.

“Bethany, what’s wrong with you? You know Yelena has problems. She can’t control herself. Why would you hit her?”

Bethany stared at him. Her hands clenched tightly as she tried to stay calm.

She said with a bitter laugh, “She’s sick, and I’m not? Why do you always have to be such a hypocrite?”

Shane opened his mouth but said nothing. It was like something was stopping him from speaking.

Yelena wiped her eyes dramatically. “Shane, I knew it! You don’t care about me! I don’t want to live anymore!”

She ran out of the room crying. Shane went after her without a second thought and left Bethany standing there in silence.

Bitterness filled Bethany’s heart. She laughed at herself. Why was she even sad? It was not like this had not happened before.

Bethany was still feeling down when her phone rang. Hudson’s name flashed on the screen.

Bethany had not texted Hudson for several days, and it made him uneasy.

He asked, “Bethany, I’ve started planning the wedding. How are things on your side?”

Hudson felt nervous. He was afraid that she would say she had changed her mind and that she was not going to marry him.

Bethany took a deep breath and forced herself to sound as normal as possible.

She sniffled lightly and said, “I’m almost done here. I just need to wrap up a few things with work before heading back. Thanks for taking care of the wedding plans.”

Hudson let out a quiet sigh of relief. Still, he could tell something was off.

“Your voice sounds hoarse. Are you feeling okay? It’s been getting cold in Sea City lately. Wear a few more layers when you go out. You’ve always been a bit weak since you were young.”

His gentle voice filled Bethany’s heart with warmth.

“If anything comes up, call me right away. You don’t have to deal with everything alone. You have me now. I won’t let you suffer anymore.”

Bethany said softly, “I’ll take care of myself. Don’t worry.”

After hanging up, she looked out the window. The dark clouds had cleared, and the sky was bright again. Her mood felt better, too.

Shane drove Yelena home. The whole way, he had a bad feeling that something was about to happen.

He said somberly, “Yelena, you can’t keep doing this. No matter what, Bethany’s your future sister-in-law.”

The moment Yelena heard “future sister-in-law,” tears streamed down her face.

She looked at Shane and asked in a shaky voice, “Shane, do I even matter to you?”

Shane could not stand seeing her cry. His heart softened right away. “That’s not what I meant. She’s been with me for six years. If I don’t side with her, people will talk.”

Yelena stopped crying and smiled. She held onto Shane’s arm intimately. “You want to marry her just to stop the gossip? I’m still the one who matters most to you? I’ll always come before her, right?”

Shane distractedly answered in the affirmative, but he felt uneasy.

Maybe he had chosen Bethany out of impulse at first, but over the years, he had seen her sincerity.

He knew she was the right person for him.

In love, she gave him everything without holding back. At work, she could give him all the support he needed.

When she had brought up marriage, he agreed.

But every time Yelena cried, he could not help but give in. They had grown up together, and he could not stand seeing her sad.

He always thought Bethany was stronger, so he chose to comfort Yelena instead.

He kept telling himself that once Yelena got better, he could finally settle down with Bethany.

As time went by, he forgot something. His favoritism toward Yelena was hurting Bethany.

But he was sure that Bethany would never leave him. People who were loved always thought they would never lose it.