I collapsed onto the ground, my heart pounding, my mind in utter disarray, with only one thought to call Rowan. A large mouthful of blood surged from the corner of Grandma's lips, followed by thick, black globs spilling out one after another.

I knelt beside her, frantically wiping the corners of her mouth as though somehow I could ease her pain. However, no matter how many times I wiped her lips clean, I could not take away the agony wracking her frail body.

At last, she took my hand, her fingers weakly combing through my hair in the same gentle way she had when I was a child. "My Amara… Amara, who always looks forward to life's beauty… You will look so lovely on your wedding day, but it's such a pity…"

Her words grew softer, fading like a waning light, until finally, she murmured, "It's a pity that Grandma won't be there to see it."

"Amara, don't blame Rowan… It's just that my time has come."

And then, in my arms, she passed away. I fell to the floor, utterly shattered, unable to find my own voice.

My hands trembled as I fumbled for my phone, dialing Rowan's number, tears blurring my vision and sticking to my face. My voice cracked as I choked out the words, "Rowan, please… can you come and stay with me?"

Unfortunately, the phone did not dial. Instead, a notification popped up. It was a new update from Madeline's Treatment Diary.

My heart lurched as I opened it.

"The fifteen thousand dollars given by my beloved Rowan gave me the courage to keep on living."

"He said I deserve the best."

Madeline kissed his forehead affectionately and murmured in a low voice. "You don't know how much I love you, so much that I want to live for you. It's just a pity you don't belong to me."

I scrolled down, my vision dimming and saw the flood of supportive comments in the thread below. [To know if a man loves you, just see if he's willing to spend money on you!]

[Go for it! The way he looks at you is anything but innocent!]

With a blank expression, I confirmed many times that the person lying beside the hospital bed was my fiancé, Rowan Price.

I had memorized every detail of that delicate profile over the years. I knew that face all too well.

Tears streamed down my own face, each one bringing a numbness more intense than the last.

Rowan had refused to pay for my grandmother's treatment, but he had sent fifteen thousand dollars to a woman he met online.

I understood now. He was not with me, after all. He was with her.

Madeline's voice was barely more than a whisper, filled with a wistful nostalgia that stung. "But I don't need money. I need you. It would be wonderful if this fifteen thousand dollars were your dowry for marrying me…"

As she spoke, her hand reached up to gently caress his face, a delicate, almost reverent gesture. On her finger was a six-pointed star diamond ring, sparkling in the soft light.

I had seen that very ring sitting in Rowan's online shopping cart. Back then, I had believed it was meantto be our engagement ring.

My eyes burned red and my vision blurred as I glanced down at the simple silver band I had cherished so deeply. Now, it felt like a cruel joke mocking me.

I stayed awake the entire night, alternating between pleading and praying, desperate for some miracle that might save my grandmother. But all the while, Rowan's heart was elsewhere, entangled with another woman.

The pain in my chest was so intense that I doubled over, clutching myself as tears streamed down my face. A bitter smile twisted my lips as I mocked myself for being a fool.

Deep down, I knew there was no longer anything left to ask. Everything was painfully clear.

So, I typed out a comment. [I wish you a long life together.]

Rowan saw my message and almost immediately, my phone lit up with his furious call. "Why did you say that to Madeline? Was it necessary to be so cruel to a stranger, especially when she's sick?"

My throat tightened painfully as I forced back a sob. Gritting my teeth, I choked out, "Rowan… Grandma passed away. Where are you?"

I heard the sudden panic in his voice. "Amara, I'll be there soon. Please… please don't cry."

I knelt by the coffin, surrounded by the quiet stillness of winter. The snow was falling gently, its cold touch seeping into my bones as I waited for Rowan.

In a low voice, he whispered, "Amara, I'm sorry… I'm late."

My eyes stung as I looked up, words hovering on my lips, ready to break free. But just then, I heard a voice that froze me to the core.

"Rowan..."

The sound lodged in my throat, trapping everything I wanted to say. Turning my head, I found myself staring into the face of Madeline.

Rowan stood up quickly. He took the scarf he had been holding and carefully wrapped it around her neck. "It's freezing out here and you just had surgery. Why did you go outside like this?"

His tone held a hint of anxiousness, a familiar note that reminded me so much of how he used to sound when he was worried about me.

Outside, snowflakes fell in a silent flurry, drifting down to cling to my hair, their icy chill brushing against the corners of my eyes, freezing me from the inside out.

Madeline buried her face deeper into her scarf, her eyes blinking up at him with an almost childlike look of grievance." I just wanted to see you, nothing more."

She tilted her head slightly, her tone gentling further as she added. "And I also wanted to come and thank Amara. She even contributed to the surgery funds."

It felt as though I had been stabbed clean through. I forced myself to take a deep breath, rising slowly from my knees. As I stood, my knees cracked painfully after kneeling for so long.

One step at a time, I moved closer, my body shaking with suppressed fury. Then, without a second thought, I raised my hand and slapped her with hatred. "You don't need to thank me. I never had any intention of giving you a single cent. If I could, I would take back that money right now and leave you to die all by yourself!"

Tears brimmed in Madeline's eyes, making them appear even larger and softer as they shimmered. Her delicate chestnut hair fell out of place. She held her cheek with a trembling hand, her voice breaking as she sobbed, "Amara, this is my fault. I shouldn't have clung to Rowan… I was just scared to go through the surgery alone. "

Rage surged within me, intensifying as I took in her innocent eyes.

Just as I took a step closer, Rowan's face flushed with anger. Without warning, he seized my arm and shoved me backward, sending me stumbling.

"Are you out of your mind? She's a patient!"

I staggered back, losing my balance. My head struck against the cold stone steps and a sharp pain shot through me as warm blood trickled down.

Through the blur of blood in my eyes, I caught a glimpse of Madeline's face. The corners of her mouth lifted in a faint, victorious smirk, her gaze flashing with smug satisfaction.

Rowan's attention was solely on her as he tenderly touched her cheek." Does it hurt?"

"Don't blame Amara; she is just too heartbroken."

I clutched my dizzy head, my voice trembling as I begged Rowan." Rowan, I feel so dizzy. Please, could you take me to the hospital?"

Before he could respond, Madeline tugged gently on his hand. Rowan's face immediately contorted with disgust as he glanced back at me." Forget about that crazy woman. You showed her kindness and this is how she repays you? She's ungrateful and completely out of control. Let her freeze out here. It might be the wake-up call she needs."

I trembled, clutching my forehead in agony, each breath shaky and raw. At that moment, all my pain, anger and betrayal surged to the surface, exploding from within me.

"What about Grandma, Rowan? Why would you rather save this… this bitch than her?!"

Rowan's expression remained cold, almost heartless." Grandma is too old to be saved, but Madeline is still so young."

The words pierced me like a dagger and an unbearable ache gripped my chest. Tears spilled from my eyes, their warmth quickly turning to ice against my cheeks. "Does your promise to me still mean anything?"

His face only twisted in impatience. Without a single glance back, he wrapped his arms protectively around Madeline and walked away.

Madeline's eyes sparkled with something dark and she let out a quiet, mocking laugh. "Rowan, don't you care? Aren't you afraid Amara might actually leave you?"

Rowan threw a dismissive look in my direction." What's there to worry about? She'll still be waiting for me to marry her."

The snow around me seemed to grow colder, the stark whiteness blurring as my vision dimmed. I collapsed into the snow, letting my eyes fall shut.

Rowan Price, there's no future for us. I don't want to marry you anymore.

As darkness claimed me, a single, searing vow burned through my mind.

The scumbag and his bitch… they will pay for Grandma's suffering with their lives.

When I finally regained consciousness, I found myself in the emergency room. The high fever had worsened, leading to pulmonary edema. I felt as though I had been dragged through death's door and back again.

My body was littered with bruises and frostbite.

Day after day, I lay in that hospital bed, but Rowan never came. He would not even care about me.

Meanwhile, Madeline's Treatment Diary continued to update regularly. I caught one of her live streams.

Her voice was as sweet as ever: "Guys, my face is fine now, please, don't worry about me."

In the chat, someone had asked if I was Rowan's girlfriend. Madeline blinked innocently at the screen, feigning surprise. "Hm? Rowan doesn't have a girlfriend. Well, this Amara Greystone does like to chase after him, though."

Lately, Madeline had gained considerable popularity online. She was known as the brave little , sweet girl battling cancer, all while secretly in love with Rowan Price.

Her fans are engrossed in every detail she shares about him, turning her and Rowan into a beloved couple in their eyes. Some of these fans even went so far as to leave hateful comments about me.

[Why wasn't it Amara Greystone who was dying instead? Why is this deadweight clinging to Rowan? Can't she see that Madeline and Rowan are in love?]

[Amara lost her parents, then her grandmother. It's clear she's cursed!]

[It's only a matter of time. We just need to pray she goes soon so Madeline and Rowan can finally be happy together.]

I was shaking with anger, my eyes stinging as I tried to respond in the comment section.

Still, nothing seemed to stop the deluge of hateful private messages. Some even included disturbing images meant to intimidate me. I noticed the disapproving looks of the nurses, who were likely also influenced by these rumors.

One evening, my best friend called, her voice filled with frustration. "Why haven't you confronted that jerk Rowan? How can you let these lies pile up?!"

"What's the point of asking him anything? That scumbag and that bitch… It'd be better if they suffer together."

I spoke to my best friend calmly, but as soon as I finished, a sharp slap caught me off guard.

My face stung as I looked up in shock to see Madeline standing before me, her lips trembling as if she were on the verge of tears. "Oh no, Amara, my hand just slipped. Please don't be mad, but why would you say such harsh things about Rowan?"

Rowan frowned, his voice cold as he joined in. "You just can't change your hot temper, can you? Seems like the cold last time wasn't enough of a lesson."

My heart twisted painfully at his words. My chest heaved with rage as I finally spoke up, "Be grateful! I've stood by you since high school, Rowan Price. I ignored your financial situation, didn't let it bother me. But now, you're nothing but a disappointment!"

Madeline's innocent expression melted, replaced by a flash of anger as she shouted, "How dare you speak to Rowan like that?"

I moved toward her, but Rowan pulled her back protectively. Another slap stung my face, this time with a red mark that throbbed painfully and pain on my cheek wounded my heart as sharp.

Madeline's eyes gleamed with smug satisfaction as though she felt untouchable and could do anything to me.

Without hesitation, I sneered and slapped Rowan with my backhand in return.

I watched as his expression turned into disbelief. "Why are you acting like crazy?"

"Why are you acting like a barking dog?" I countered coldly. "Tell me, Rowan Price, who am I to you?"

The door to the ward had drawn a small crowd, their curious eyes on us. Some recognized Madeline from her internet fame and were already recording with their phones, eager for drama.

Rowan clenched his fist tightly, putting on a cold expression. With his face steeled, he finally said, "You are nothing."

Heh! I gave a bitter laugh. As expected, he did not even dare to admit what I had meant to him.

Suddenly, there was a knock and the police entered the ward, glancing around. "Who called about an emergency here?"

"That would be me."

I turned to face Rowan, my voice steady. "This man stole fifteen thousand dollars of my savings. I have the bank statement here. Arrest him. I have no intention of settling this quietly!"