He Left Me to Burn, I Rose in the Dark

The doctor finished examining me and removed his stethoscope, an odd look crossing his face.

“Miss Elira appears to be fine for now.” He frowned slightly, hesitating. “It’s just… why…”

I knew what he wanted to say.

He couldn’t hear my heartbeat.

But before the words could leave his mouth, Jaeren cut in coldly.

“I told you she’s fine. She can walk, stand, eat, sleep. She’s not dying.”

He did not even spare me another glance. His gaze shifted straight to Cersei in the other hospital bed.

“Check Cersei again. She’s been coughing ever since we got back from the fire. I’m worried she inhaled too much smoke. ”

“If anything happens to her, I’ll have to answer to my stepmother.”

The doctor lowered his eyes to the lab report and spoke carefully.

“But Miss Cersei’s bloodwork only shows a common cold. It doesn’t appear related to the fire…”

Bang.

Jaeren kicked over an empty chair beside him.

He tapped the doctor’s name badge with one finger, his eyes terrifyingly cold.

“If you’d like to keep your license, run the tests again and make sure Cersei is fine.”

The doctor’s face went pale at once.

“Then… then I’ll start her on an IV vitamin drip to help her recover faster.”

Jaeren let out a cold laugh.

“Vitamin drip?” He stared at the doctor, sarcasm sharp in his voice. “That’s the best your degree can do?”

He leaned closer, his voice dropping into something almost threatening.

“Use whatever works. The best drugs, the fastest treatment. I want her fully recovered before sunset.”

Sweat broke across the doctor’s forehead, his voice shaking.

“If you need Miss Cersei to improve immediately… steroids are the only option.”

Jaeren held his gaze.

“Then use the steroids. I’m not paying for comfort. I’m paying for results.”

Reclining against the pillows, Cersei shot me a smug glance from where I sat silently in the corner.

That look said everything.

See? His heart only ever chooses me.

The doctor did not dare argue further and turned back to the computer to revise the prescription.

Just as he was about to delete the original vitamin order, Jaeren spoke again.

“Wait. Leave it.”

Both the doctor and Cersei looked at him.

Jaeren’s tone was indifferent.

“Hang that vitamin bag on Elira.”

So there I was, a soon-to-be vampire waiting for the full moon, quietly hooked up to a bag of vitamins.

Across from me, Jaeren sat beside Cersei on the bench, adjusting the flow of her IV with his own hands before draping his coat over her shoulders.

They sat close, speaking in low voices, laughing softly—like the real engaged couple.

“Jaeren.” Cersei coughed lightly, gratitude sweet and soft in her voice.

“This is the most expensive steroid treatment in the world. I can’t believe you’d really spend that on me.”

Jaeren’s voice turned cold.

“If Elira hadn’t lost her mind, you wouldn’t be suffering like this.”

He cast a sideways glance at me, his tone still edged with restrained fury.

“I’ve indulged her too much before. This time, I’ll consider it money well spent on teaching her a lesson.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll keep her under control from now on. I won’t let her put you through this kind of hurt again.”

Hurt.

I had already died in that fire.

And all he cared about was Cersei’s hurt feelings.

Cersei looked toward me with practiced concern.

“Jaeren, ever since we came back from the fire, Elira hasn’t said a word.”

“I’m really worried… maybe she was so shaken by what happened that she still can’t admit she impulsively set the fire.”

Jaeren followed her gaze to me and spoke coldly.

“She’s silent because she feels guilty.”

“She knows if I lose my temper, I could cancel the wedding at any time. That’s why she’s sitting there behaving herself.”

At that moment, my phone buzzed.

I lowered my eyes to the screen, expressionless, pulled the needle from the back of my hand, and stood to leave.

Behind me, Jaeren’s voice suddenly darkened.

“Elira Kade.”

“Do you still want to recover in time to be my bride?”

“If you dare start coughing too, don’t expect that ring back. Ever.”