No one gave me a single glance.
After a long while, the doctor finally emerged, announcing that Vivian had only choked on a piece of fish and was otherwise fine.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
But Damian and Ethan both turned to glare at me together, their eyes sharp.
Ethan’s voice was icy as he said, “Anything you want to say? I know you can’t let it go and want to hurt Vivian!”
Damian pulled Vivian tightly into his arms, shouting at me, “Out! Get out of my sight! I never want to see your face again!”
Suddenly, memories flooded my mind—back to years ago, when we had just left the orphanage with nothing. Damian would pull me into his warm coat and kiss my forehead, promising softly in my ear.
“I’ll never leave your side, so I can protect you.”
Liar.
I wasn’t sure why, but my nose stung.
That night, I rushed back to what had once been our home and started packing. From a drawer in the study, I took out the thick Mating Ceremony proposal and placed it somewhere obvious.
The maid was indignant. “Miss, how could you give that woman the plan you’ve painstakingly prepared? That’s just not fair!”
I quietly packed my books and clothes into my suitcase. “It’s fine. I won’t be staying here much longer, anyway.”
Suddenly, a cold voice rang out behind me.
“What do you mean? Where are you going?”
When I turned around, I saw that Damian had somehow appeared behind me, his expression ice-cold, eyes on my suitcase. Ethan leaned against the bedroom door, also staring at me coolly.
Vivian came in behind them, her eyes glued to my luggage, unable to hide her glee.
For a moment, I wanted to tell the truth.
But then I remembered Damian’s impatience at the hospital, the cruel words he had uttered.
“If it’s something unimportant like that, you don’t need to tell us.”
Suddenly, I just didn’t feel like explaining anymore. That way, when I left, I could at least pretend they just didn’t know, not that they didn’t care.
I shoved my hands into my coat pockets, fingers clenched tightly. I tried to sound casual as I said, “I’m searching for the Mating Ceremony’s proposal and then giving Vivian my room so she can prepare for the ceremony.”
Damian’s expression softened a little, but he quickly added in a low tone, “She won’t be moving in. It’s only been a few days since you’ve pushed her down the stairs. You really think we’ll be alright with letting you two live under the same roof?”
Without thinking, I replied, “Then I’ll move out.”
Damian’s face, which had just warmed up, turned dark again.
I honestly wasn’t trying to antagonize him. I simply didn’t want to make things harder for them since I was going to leave soon.
Vivian stepped forward with an innocent look on her face. “Seraphina, please don’t do this… It’s all my fault. If anyone should go, it’s me.”
I looked at her and calmly said, “Don’t worry. Once I leave, I won’t be coming back.”
The corners of Vivian’s mouth curled up before she could stop herself. She quickly lowered her head.
Meanwhile, Damian was completely enraged. “Who are you trying to threaten?!”
Ethan sneered with his arms crossed as he leaned against the door. “Enough with the act, Seraphina. No one’s stopping you if you want to leave, so stop making it sound like someone’s forcing you out.”
I didn’t argue; I just turned away in silence and kept packing. I lived here for three years, so I had a lot of things. I only took the essentials. I didn’t take anything that was connected to Damian or Ethan.
I packed two suitcases to the brim and wheeled them toward the door.
As I opened the door, Damian’s growl rang out behind me.
“Seraphina! If you really have what it takes, don’t come crying to me for help in the future!”
