Chapter 4
Jacob had been acting all cool, but the moment he saw that bracelet, he totally snapped.
He let go of Rosalind and snatched the bracelet straight out of Moira's hands.
"This is the token I gave her. She never took it off, not for a second." His voice shook, and he was barely holding it together.
"Even when she was beaten half to death, she held onto it for dear life," he said, his voice cracking with raw emotion.
Yeah. That pendant was the only proof of Jacob's true identity back when he was stranded in the mortal world—a token that meant everything to him.
*****
I'd been up in the mountains picking flowers when I stumbled across him, half-dead and barely breathing.
I brought him home and cared for him day and night, giving everything I had.
As the days passed, we grew closer, and in the end, he gave me his heart.
"Alison, with the Celestial Lord as our witness and the sun and moon as our matchmakers, I swear, I, Jacob Sterling, will love only you, for all my days," he promised, his voice trembling with emotion.
Those vows... I really thought they'd last forever.
Back then, he didn't have any powers in the mortal world—just a regular guy, always sick and weak.
I made a living selling flowers. It was exhausting, but honestly, I was happy.
One time, some thugs set their sights on the bracelet I wore, trying to snatch it and sell it for some quick cash.
Three burly men beat me until I was covered in blood and bruises, but I held onto that bracelet with everything I had. I never let go, no matter how much it hurt.
It was only when Jacob finally brought the officers that I barely escaped with my life.
*****
For the first time, Jacob looked genuinely panicked.
He tried to rush toward the Divine Culling Altar, but Rosalind grabbed his arm and yanked him back.
"Jacob, that's the Divine Culling Altar. Even immortals barely survive it. Don't let her trick you," she cried, her voice sharp with panic.
"Yeah, even immortals barely survive it. If Lady Lowell really went up there, could she... could she still be living?" the maid stammered, her voice trembling with fear.
Rosalind slapped Moira hard across the face.
"Stupid maid, who told you to run your mouth?" Rosalind snapped, her voice sharp with anger.
Moira clutched her cheek, fear written all over her face as she scurried away.
My heart twisted with pain as I reached out, but all I could do was watch in agony as my ghostly hand slipped right through Moira's cheek. I couldn't even touch her, let alone offer comfort.
Moira was the maid Jacob assigned to me the day I arrived in the Celestial Realm.
Whenever I saw how frail she looked, I'd sneak her a bit of my own food.
Just a simple act of kindness, but she never forgot it.
But no matter how much I gave, some people never learned gratitude.
"Exactly. This is definitely another one of Alison's tricks. She's always plotting something," Jacob spat, his eyes cold with suspicion.
He clenched the bloodstained pendant tight, letting out a cold snort.
"She's just hiding somewhere, trying to make me feel guilty—to soften me up," he sneered.
As he spoke, he shot Moira a sharp, dangerous glare.
"Tell me, did Alison put you up to this? Where is she hiding? Spill it, and I might just spare your life," he snarled, his voice cold and threatening.
Moira was suddenly yanked off the ground, her hands flying to her throat, like she was being strangled by some invisible force.
She looked up, her eyes blazing red with emotion.
"Lady Lowell has nowhere left to go, Lord Sterling. You know that better than anyone, don't you?" She choked out, her voice trembling.
"Her village in the mortal world is long gone. Where could she possibly hide now?" she retorted bitterly.