Chapter 4

I checked into a hotel downtown.

I didn't sleep for days.

Every time I closed my eyes, I saw the blinding flash of the gun, and the way my mother and Julian shielded Stella with their lives.

Since that day, Julian had bombarded my phone with endless messages.

"Elena, get your ass back here right now."

"Don't think hiding in a hotel exempts you from taking responsibility."

Taking responsibility? Hearing those words from Julian was a dark, twisted comedy.

I stared at the screen coldly.

Not a single ripple stirred in my heart.

Just as I was about to power down the phone, an incoming call lit up the screen.

It was a doctor who had served with me on the international rescue mission years ago.

"Elena! The reunion banquet is about to start—aren't you coming?"

I had completely forgotten about it.

A few days ago, the mission commander had sent me an invite. I had intended to go, but right now, I had nothing left to give.

"You're a legend, Elena! Digging through concrete with your bare hands for twenty hours to save a civilian, taking a bullet and holding on... everyone wants to see you."

"There's nothing legendary about it. Nobody believes it anyway."

The words slipped out before I could stop them.

I let out a bitter, hollow laugh.

My colleague’s tone instantly turned dead serious.

"What do you mean nobody believes it?! They recovered the raw footage from the documentary crew! The film has been edited and released!"

"The whole world is about to see our legendary combat medic in action!"

My chest tightened.

My sacrifices hadn't been buried after all.

Julian saw the documentary announcement too.

Back in the hospital room, he clicked play on the newly released film without a second thought.

"Who knows? Maybe the two of us are in this footage together."

Julian didn't notice Stella’s face turning deathly pale beside him.

He dragged the timeline forward.

Until the camera focused on the bombed-out shell of the corporate tower.

Julian pointed at a collapsed corner, his fingers trembling slightly.

"That's where I was buried. I thought I was a dead man. If it weren't for you, Stella..."

Before he could finish his sentence, the camera zoomed in.

Julian finally saw the rescuer’s face clearly.

The person kneeling in the rubble, her bloody, skinless fingers clawing through concrete... was me.

"How... how is this possible...?"

In an instant, all the strength was sucked out of his body.

He replayed the clip again and again, his eyes wide with horror.

Until there was no lie left to hide behind.

Standing outside the local police station, my phone rang. It was Julian.

"Elena... what is this documentary?"

"Don't you only believe what you see with your own eyes?"

With that, I hung up.

Truth clears itself. In this relationship, my conscience had always been spotless.

I had watched the documentary too.

I saw just how desperately, how foolishly I had loved Julian Hayes.

When the screen faded to black, the very last ember of my love died with it.

Without looking back, I pushed through the station doors.

"I’d like to report a crime."

"Attempted murder and possession of an illegal firearm."