Chapter 4

In a daze, I could still see the triumphant look in Adelina Bishop's eyes. Of course, she had every reason to feel smug. She had cemented her place in Xander Ross's heart through his harsh treatment of me.

Someone tried to approach me, but Xander snapped, "Leave her alone! Acting all high and mighty! Four years together, and she's forgotten her place?!"

"Do you remember how desperately you declared your love to me back then? Have I been too good to you over the past four years, and now you show me this attitude?!"

Tears had long streaked down my cheeks. Between coughs, I managed to utter the words, "Let's... break... up."

Xander was surprised for a moment but then laughed, "Fine, if that's what you want, break up it is!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than he pulled Adelina close and kissed her.

"The place you've occupied for four years should be empty now!"

Even though I had long known he loved Adelina, hearing her soft sighs as he kissed her made my heart ache.

It wasn't just my heart; I felt a wrenching pain through my entire being... I felt nauseous, like I might vomit, struggling to breathe.

I steadied myself against the couch, shaky as I stood, making my way towards the exit of the room.

I hadn't walked far when I collapsed in the hallway.

Behind me, the room livened up again.

Someone whispered, "Xander, she really seems unwell."

"Don't bother with her. She didn't even take her meds today. I offered to get them for her myself, but she refused! You don't understand; she's just jealous. I've been trying to calm her down since last night, and she's still upset! With a temper like that, she needs to learn a lesson!"

Another voice chimed in, "Do you think she'll hold out this time?"

"I bet just one night; tomorrow, she'll show up with Xander's favorite spiced honey cake!"

"I wager two days! She seems genuinely upset this time."

Xander scoffed, "She won't last three days without trying to win me back! This time, she's going to regret making Adelina uncomfortable!"

Adelina's voice was soft and sweet, "Xander, you're so good to me."

This was followed by a chorus of praise from his friends.

"That's why they call him 'The King'; he's tamed the untouchable beauty of the year into submission!"

That day ended with an old classmate passing by and taking me to the hospital.

When I awoke, the doctor was giving me a stern talking-to.

"You young people don't know how to take care of yourselves! You had antibiotics in the afternoon; how could you drink alcohol the same night? Luckily, you were brought in quickly; otherwise, even divine intervention wouldn't have saved you!"

The classmate looked at me with concern, "Ariah, work isn't more important than your health. If your boyfriend knew, he'd be so worried!"

I offered a bitter smile.

She didn't know that the one who nearly sent me to an early grave was my boyfriend.

"What's your boyfriend's number? I know his name is something like Xander, but I don't have his number. Tell me, and I'll call him. He must be worried sick after not hearing from you all night!"

I picked up my phone, the screen silent, without even a single notification.

I forced a smile, "I told him, he'll be here soon!"

I stayed in the hospital for three days, enduring IV drips alone, vomiting, even coughing up blood, and tossing and turning in the night from stomach pain...

And then I saw on Facebook that Xander was out with Adelina, shopping, enjoying candlelit dinners.

Meanwhile, my phone remained as quiet as ever.

On the morning of the fourth day, the doctor finally cleared me to be discharged.

I rifled through my bag, ensuring all my important documents were there.

I left the hospital and headed straight to the airport.

On the way, I received a message from Xander on WhatsApp, "Come and get your stuff out of the room. It's taking up space."

Calmly, I typed back, "I don't want them. Just throw them away."

There was a brief pause before my phone buzzed again, "I'm waiting for you at home; come and take it out yourself!"

This time, I didn't reply. I switched off my phone and walked towards the security checkpoint.

I'd been in this smog-filled city long enough; it was time to return to the warmth of the South.