As she slipped the household registration book into her pocket, ready to leave, Vivienne’s gaze caught on a small box tucked away at the bottom of the cabinet.
She hesitated.
For a moment, she simply stared as if the box itself carried a weight too heavy to bear. Then, almost against her will, she reached out and picked it up.
Inside lay a photograph, a diamond ring, and a delicate diamond pendant.
The photograph was from her graduation, the day Rafael had rushed to her side, insisting on taking a picture together. His smile back then had been carefree, eyes alight with something that almost felt like love.
The diamond ring nestled beside it was also his gift. She could still hear his voice, teasing yet earnest, “Sister, this ring is our token of love. It may be small, but my feelings for you are priceless! When I marry you in the future, you’re not allowed to back out!”
Meanwhile, the pendant, a treasured keepsake, was once gifted by Maximilian Moretti, his father.
“This diamond pendant has been passed down in our family for generations. Now that you and Rafael are so in sync, it’s only a matter of time before you marry. I’m giving it to you, hoping you two will grow old together. Vivienne, don’t think it’s too small.”
She lifted the pendant, letting the dim light catch its translucent surface. A vivid green streak ran through its center, glowing like a vein of life within the stone.
It was beautiful.
She had once loved it.
She had never been eager to wear it, tucking it away in this box alongside other cherished belongings.
Beyond that, the walk-in closet was lined with remnants of Rafael’s past affection, luxurious brand-name handbags, exquisite dresses, and tokens of a love that once existed. But as she stood there now, she realized it had been a long, long time since he had given her anything at all.
Leaving home, Vivienne proceeded with quiet determination, canceling her identification card and household registration.
Rafael had been gone for days, vanishing as if he had been swallowed by the earth.
It wasn’t until the third day, just as she signed the final document severing her legal ties to this life that her phone rang.
A call from his assistant.
“Sister-in-law, come quickly! Something happened to Rafael!”
His words struck like a bolt of lightning.
After storming off in anger, Rafael had disappeared without a trace. Now, after days of silence, he had been found speeding recklessly down the road before a violent crash left him comatose, clinging to life in a hospital bed.
By the time Vivienne arrived, the emergency consultation had already taken place. The moment the doctors saw her, urgency filled their voices.
“He needs an immediate blood transfusion. If he doesn’t get it now, he won’t make it.”
One of the doctors hesitated, a deep frown lining his face.
“But, Director, the blood bank is critically low. We might not have enough…”
Without a moment’s hesitation, Vivienne rolled up her sleeve. “Take mine. My blood type matches his.”
The doctor’s gaze flickered with hesitation. “You…”
“Don’t worry. I can handle it.”
Lying on the hospital bed, she barely flinched as the thick needle pierced her vein. A sharp sting coursed through her arm, but she merely furrowed her brows and turned her head away.
“Rafael, you always believed I owed your family a life. Consider this my repayment.”
“From this moment on, we owe each other nothing.”
The blood transfusion left her drained. Darkness crept over her vision, and before she could fight it, she slipped into unconsciousness.
When she finally came to, she heard that Rafael had regained consciousness.
Ignoring the nurse’s protests, Vivienne forced herself up, stumbling toward Rafael’s hospital room.
The sight before her made her breath hitch.
Freya sat beside him, clutching his hand, her eyes shimmering with tears.
“You’re finally awake, Brother… I was so scared… so scared…”
“Don’t be,” Rafael murmured, his fingers brushing over her hair in a soothing gesture.
“If it weren’t for you donating blood in time, I wouldn’t have woken up so quickly.”
Vivienne’s fingers trembled at his words.
Freya leaned closer, her voice laced with sweetness. “Of course! If I didn’t save you, who else would? Brother, I was terrified.”
She took his hand, pressing it against her chest. “Feel that? My heart is still racing…”
A faint, weak smile curled Rafael’s lips. He said nothing more.
