Chapter 9: Choosing Her, Abandoning Me
When Hazel received the call from her mother, she wasn’t surprised in the slightest. She calmly answered.
Yvonne’s tone was sharp and commanding: “Since you managed to get the targeted therapy drug, why aren’t you giving it to your sister right away?”
Hazel had expected this. Her voice turned cold. “I don’t have it.”
Yvonne snapped. “Don’t you know how serious your sister’s condition is? You’re really going to keep the life-saving medicine to yourself and let her die, aren’t you?”
Even though Hazel tried to stay calm, her family’s coldness and refusal to understand still cut her to the bone. She had told them she had leukemia too-and not one of them believed her.
“I’m not letting her die. I really don’t have the drug.”
Yvonne didn’t believe a word. “Don’t forget-we worked ourselves to the bone to put you through college. This is how you repay us? Get to the hospital right now! Or I’ll come find you myself!”
Hazel frowned. She knew Yvonne’s temper-if she found out where Hazel was, she’d definitely cause a scene.
Some things shouldn’t be aired in public.
She didn’t want to expose her wounds in front of others, and she certainly didn’t want to bring trouble to the institute.
When Hazel arrived at the hospital, Yvonne was sitting beside Vivian’s bed, gently wiping her face with a warm towel.
That loving motherly expression looked both familiar and foreign to Hazel
Because in front of her, her mother had only ever been cold, strict, and harsh
They always said Vivian was sick, so Hazel needed to make sacrifices.
From childhood to adulthood, she never fought her sister for anything. Whatever she liked, Hazel gave up.
The only thing she ever stood firm on was Sebastian.
And even that, Vivian still wouldn’t let go.
“Sis,” Vivian called softly the moment she saw her.
Yvonne turned around. The warmth on her face vanished, replaced by a strict, stern expression.
“How long were you planning on hiding? If I hadn’t called, would you just cut off your family for life?”
Hazel let out a bitter smile and couldn’t help but fire back. “Do you even see me as your daughter?”
Yvonne’s face twisted. “What are you saying? Of course you’re my daughter! But if I had known you’d be this ungrateful, I wouldn’t have given birth to you!”
“Mom! Don’t say that about Hazel.” Vivian quickly held Yvonne’s hand, trying to ease the tension.
Yvonne looked at her and visibly calmed down. “Look how kind your sister is to you.”
Hazel’s lips curled into a mocking smile.
Every time she had a falling-out with her parents. Vivian would swoop in and play the peacekeeper.
Hazel had once thought she was a good sister.
Vivian had congratulated her, smiling.
But when Hazel came home from school, she overheard a conversation between Vivian and their mother.
“Mom, I wish I could dance like Hazel…”
“But your body can’t handle it, sweetie. What if you fall or hurt yourself?”
“… Yeah. I guess I’m just unlucky. I can’t dress up and go to practice like Hazel. I just envy her, that’s all.”
“What’s so great about dancing anyway? With that wild temper of hers, it won’t look good. I’ll tell her to drop it.”
Hazel had waited for Vivian to speak up. In her eyes, her sister was too kind to let this happen.
But she didn’t say a word.
The silence was so loud, even a pin drop would’ve echoed.
Later, their mother informed her she couldn’t join the showcase anymore-and even contacted the teacher to cancel her spot.
From that moment on, Hazel no longer saw Vivian the same way.
And yet, she never thought Vivian would stoop this low.
“Sis,” Vivian gently grabbed her hand. “Tomorrow’s my birthday. You’ll come, right? It’s at the Sky Tower.”
The Sky Tower.
Prime real estate. The most luxurious venue in the Capital Circle.
Hazel doubted her family could afford that kind of place, especially with Vivian’s medical expenses costing hundreds of thousands each year.
She couldn’t help but think-was it Sebastian?
Did he arrange it?
She looked up and met Vivian’s gentle smile-and instantly felt a chill.
She pulled her hand away. “Sure.”
She’d like to see what game Vivian was playing.
“Babe,” a familiar voice called out from the doorway.
Sebastian walked in quickly and wrapped his arm around her. “You left so quietly last night. You didn’t even say goodbye. Don’t stay mad at me, okay?”
He lowered his voice to soothe her.
Hazel kept her expression blank and glanced over at Vivian, whose smile suddenly stiffened. Her fingers clenched the blanket, practically tearing at
the seams.
Hazel’s voice was calm. “You answered a call last night, I thought it was someone important. I didn’t want to disturb you.”
Sebastian replied, “No one’s more important than you. It was just a normal call.”
Hazel looked at Vivian’s face turning pale again. Her lips curved faintly. “Oh? That explains why there was no contact name saved.”
“Of course,” Sebastian nodded quickly.
He took her hand and was about to lead her away.
Suddenly, Vivian let out a soft cry behind them.
Yvonne gasped. “Vivian, what’s wrong?”
Vivian clutched her chest, face pale, her voice strained. “I… I suddenly have this sharp pain here.”
Hazel had seen this trick too many times. Anyone with basic knowledge of leukemia would know chest pain like that doesn’t come out of nowhere.
But even with all the research her mother had done over the years, she still panicked every time.
Hazel looked over at Sebastian-saw him hesitate. He glanced at her, then turned toward Vivian, who was crying out in pain.
Then he let go of Hazel’s hand.
“Babe, let me check on your sister real quick, okay? Just wait for me outside?”
The moment he let go, Hazel felt her heart plummet.
Even after all this time. Even after all the disappointment.
He could still hurt her-again and again-by choosing someone else.
Sebastian. You have twenty five days left. After that, you won’t be able to hurt me ever again
“Babe…” Sebastian called, alarmed by how quiet she had gone. His heart tightened with panic, as if she were slipping away for good.
He started to go after her.
But behind him, Yvonne shouted, “Sebastian! Check on Vivian, quick”
Sebastian wavered… and turned back toward Vivian.
Hazel walked to the doorway, pulled out her phone, and opened her calendar
She circled the 1st-the day she signed the divorce papers.
Five days had passed.
Sebastian, you have twenty five days left. After that, you won’t be able to hurt me ever again
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