Chapter 3
The only answer Felicia got was Jason's expressionless, sarcastic remark.
The flames swallowed her whole, leaving her utterly helpless.
Watching it all unfold, I lost my mind, frantically trying to rip through the fire to save her.
But as a soul, I was powerless. There was nothing I could do.
Not long after, Felicia's screams echoed as the live stream was abruptly cut off for being too explicit.
Jason flashed a smug, satisfied grin.
He stopped what he was doing.
He ordered someone to drag Felicia out of the flames, then seized her burned, reddened face in his hand.
He sneered. "Now, let's see if your cold-hearted sister is brave enough to make an appearance.
"But my patience is wearing thin. She better show up before my wedding to Sonia, or your whole family can prepare for a reunion in hell."
Sonia... His wedding... So they were getting married.
After tossing Felicia into the hospital, Jason headed straight back to our old wedding home.
He returned to the place we once called home.
It was the cozy little house where we'd spent three years together.
My gaze suddenly locked onto the wedding photo on the cabinet. I couldn't tear my eyes away.
I could never forget a single thing in this house. Every piece of furniture, every decoration... Jason and I had put it all together, little by little.
The deed was in Jason's name too, because he once told me he'd never truly had a place to call home.
So I promised myself that, in every possible way, emotionally and physically, I would do everything to bring Jason happiness.
I could still picture the look of surprise and joy on Jason's face back then, as clear as if it had happened yesterday.
But now, all that remained on his face was icy indifference and bitter hatred.
This time, Sonia was sticking close to Jason.
Sonia turned to Jason and asked, "Are you still unable to forget Amber?"
Jason paused, and a flicker of bitter resentment flashed in his eyes.
He said, "Even if I can't let go of Amber, it's only because I can't forget how she left me when I was completely hopeless and helpless.
"If I can't get my revenge on her myself, I'll never find peace. I brought you here because I thought she might be hiding out. I just wanted to find her and get her to do the surgery for you."
Once Sonia was sure Jason didn't have any feelings left for me, her worries melted away, and she pulled him into a gentle embrace.
"Guess I was wrong about you," she said softly.
They left that dusty old place, but before they went, they smashed the wedding photo to pieces and tossed it into the flames.
The fire swallowed up the photo, and it was as if my soul was being burned away right along with it.
Days slipped by, but Jason still couldn't get me to show myself.
Trying to force me out, Jason stopped my mom's medication with just one phone call.
Soon, the doorbell rang at Jason's place.
Jason's breath quickened.
"You finally showed up!" Jason said.
But when he opened the door, he saw it was only Felicia, wrapped in bandages, and not me. Jason's expression twisted with anger.
Jason couldn't fathom how I could stay so unfazed, refusing to show myself no matter what he did.
He couldn't hold it in any longer. All those years of simmering hatred finally boiled over, bursting out in a wild rage.
With his brows twisted in madness, Jason lashed out and slapped Felicia so hard she hit the floor.
He bellowed, "Why hasn't Amber shown up yet? How can she be so heartless? Wasn't she supposed to be the most filial daughter?
"Her dad's already dead, and her mom's barely hanging on! Why is she still refusing to show herself?"
I stared at him, feeling my heart twist in agony. The pain was so overwhelming, I felt like I was about to break down.
"Jason, do you even realize... I've always been right here with you," I muttered.
Felicia struggled to her feet, sobbing as she pleaded, "Jason, please. Amber's already dead! I'm begging you, please spare my mom! She's all I've got left!"
But all Felicia got was Jason's cold, merciless voice. "If Amber shows up and begs me, I'll spare your mom. Otherwise, you can start preparing for your mom's funeral."
*****
A few days later, Sonia's illness flared up again, and she was rushed to the hospital.
Jason stayed by her side, taking care of her with utmost care.
"Jason, my illness is getting worse again. Is Amber really refusing to help me?" Sonia whined.
Watching Sonia play her little drama, the irony was almost laughable to me.
Her mental illness was rare. I was probably the only doctor in the whole country who could treat it. But she was totally exaggerating. It was never this serious.
Sonia was just pulling off this dramatic stunt because she realized Jason still couldn't let me go.
Jason's hatred for me suddenly deepened, his voice choked with tears.
"I'll definitely find Amber!" Jason promised.
All for Sonia, Jason kicked open my mom's hospital room.
He yanked my critically ill mom right off the hospital bed, not caring if she was barely hanging on.
Felicia, who'd been dozing off in exhaustion, suddenly snapped awake.
Felicia had dropped out of school and was juggling several part-time jobs just to cover Mom's medical bills. She hadn't closed her eyes for nearly twenty hours.
When she saw what was happening, Felicia couldn't hold back her tears.
Felicia begged, sobbing, "Jason, please, let my mom go! She's so sick already! I'm begging you, don't hurt her!"
Jason delivered his final ultimatum.
He snarled, "Get Amber here to cure Sonia's illness, and I'll spare your whole family!"
"Otherwise, I'll make sure you lose the last person you care about today!"
Just then...