My Heart's Last, Bitter Goodbye

sentence was seeing my fiancé's hand slip into my best fr

e brother against me, the boy I

in my house and paid for with my

ate

the world celebrated their love story. They saw a weak, dyin

also left behind one final gift, a dead woman's last words. When I die, they will

pte

a Sala

hand slipping into Debbra' s outside the glass pane that truly sealed my fate-and theirs. If

hey stood too close, her head resting on his shoulder. He stroked her arm, a gesture meant for me. My stomach

ore than

look in my direction. Debbra had her arm wrapped around him, a picture of maternal comfort I

ith the love he on

conditionally, and built an empire to protect, was outside that room, betraying me. In that moment, I knew wha

y face. "So, weeks, you said?" My voice didn't waver. It was

ment offers a slim chance, but it's highly aggressive, and frankly, risky." He paused, looking at

ing after our parents died, just so Elwin would never want for anything. My youth, my dreams, all poured into th

a whisper, yet firm.

uliana, this is your only opt

will dedicate this treatment to someone else." My voice was flat

I built it, and he rode my coattails, basking in my success. I believed he lo

ve I ha

. I pulled her out of poverty, gave her a home, an education, a key position in my company. She was like a sister to me, more than a sister, she was the fami

he hungered for more than I was giving, that she might one day take it all.

smile that didn't reach his eyes. He smelled fa

aced with a feigned concern that grated on my nerves.

. "I'm fine, Dalton. As fine as one can be." My voice was steady. I watched him,

itated, clearing his throat. His handsome face, usually so confi

chest. "You mean the one Debbra needs more t

No, Juliana, of course not. What are you talking about?"

't discussed it. Debbra's condition is so much worse, isn't it? She's weaker.

ors said. And you, Juliana, you always look so strong. So resilient. People just assume

andful of pills I swallowed every few hours, just to keep my face from contorting in pain. The powerful painkillers were a double-edged sword, numbing the can

my voice calm, almost serene. "She does n

over his face was immediate, overwhelming, and utterly di

waiting for the other shoe to drop, but his eyes shone with a s

who couldn't be loved. The truth was, it was the only way I knew how to

ere still huddled together, a perfect, stolen family.

without