Chapter 3

A few days later, Leo's minor leg wound had "dangerously worsened," according to a frantic Sera.

She cornered me in my father's old study.

"Marcus, please," she begged, her usual arrogance gone, replaced by a desperate edge. "Leo needs the family elixir. His leg is infected, the doctors are worried."

The elixir. My grandfather, a brilliant immigrant doctor before he built the family's... other enterprises, had created it.

It was a closely guarded secret, a near-miraculous cure for wounds and infections, but extremely rare. Each batch took years to perfect.

It was sacred, a symbol of my grandfather's genius and care for his family.

Not something to be handed out lightly.

"He's in so much pain, Marcus," Sera continued, tears welling in her eyes. "It's your fault. If those men hadn't attacked, if you hadn't provoked them..."

Blaming me. Of course.

"I'll do anything," she whispered, moving closer. "I'll marry you, Marcus. I'll be the wife you want. Just save him. Please."

The offer hung in the air, heavy and disgusting.

Marry me? After she chose him over me in two lifetimes?

The thought of her touch, her presence as my wife, made my stomach churn.

I remembered her voice on the phone, cold and dismissive, as I bled out.

I remembered Winn's body taking bullets for me.

I walked to the hidden safe behind a bookshelf, my grandfather's portrait.

I took out a small, dark vial. The elixir.

Sera' s eyes lit up with hope.

I handed it to her.

"Take it," I said, my voice devoid of any warmth.

She reached for it, her fingers trembling. "Oh, Marcus, thank you! I knew you still..."

"I never chose you, Sera," I cut her off, my words like ice.

Her hand froze midway to the vial. Her face paled.

"What?"

"You heard me. I didn't choose you. Not this time."

I placed the vial in her still-outstretched hand.

"Give this to Leo. And then, get out of my sight."

She stared at me, speechless, the vial clutched in her hand.

Confusion, then dawning horror, then a flash of anger crossed her face.

She snatched the elixir and turned, running from the room without another word.

I watched her go, a cold emptiness where my infatuation used to be.

Giving her the elixir was a small price to pay to confirm what I already knew.

Her priorities were clear. And so were mine.