Chapter 9

I froze for a moment, then immediately tried to pull away from Damon’s grasp. But Damon held on tightly, his voice steady, though laced with emotion. "I heard Darius Nightbane is getting married. Does that mean you two are... over? Seraphina, if you’re willing, I can take you away from here." He hesitated for a moment, gathering his courage to say the words he’d been holding back for years. "I’ve liked you... for so many years. Back then, all you ever saw was Darius Nightbane, and I didn’t dare disturb you. But now... since he’s getting married, maybe it’s time you let go and gave me—and yourself—a chance at happiness." It hit me like a punch to the gut—Damon really did have feelings for me. I quickly pulled away from his grasp, my voice firm and resolute. "I’m sorry, but I can’t... Even though Darius is getting married, he’s still the only one I love. And I have no intention of leaving him." Damon’s face fell, his expression heavy with sadness. I took a few steps back, my voice softer but still firm. "I’ll do my best to help resolve the crisis with The Hawthorne Lineage. But please, from now on, stay away from me. I don’t want to drag you into this, and I don’t want to make things harder for you." With those words, I turned to leave. But after just a few steps, a black fog seemed to cloud my vision, and everything around me turned blurry. I couldn’t see anything clearly. "Seraphina, what’s wrong?" Damon’s voice called out, full of concern. "I’m fine!" I replied quickly, gritting my teeth to bear the temporary blindness. I tried to walk away slowly, but my foot caught on a flowerpot, and I stumbled, falling backward. "Seraphina!" Damon shouted, rushing to catch me. His arms wrapped around my waist, steadying me. "What’s happening to you? Are you sick? Let me take you to the hospital!" "I’m fine! Let go of me!" I struggled, pushing against him. I had to keep my distance from Damon—if Darius saw us together, both of us would be in trouble. Damon didn’t force me, but when he released me, I stumbled again, nearly falling once more. "Can you not see?" Damon asked, panic rising in his voice. "Seraphina, what’s wrong with you?" "It’s none of your business!" I shouted. "Let me go, right now!" "No," Damon insisted, his voice unwavering. He lifted me into his arms, and without hesitation, carried me toward his car, ignoring my protests. He placed me inside the vehicle and drove straight to the hospital. At the hospital, my vision still hadn’t improved. I sat numbly in the hallway, fear slowly creeping into my heart. What if I could never see again? What would happen to the few months of life I had left? If Darius found out... would he pity me, or would he mock me? The test results came quickly, and Damon guided me into the doctor’s office. "Miss Seraphina, your condition is quite complicated..." The doctor paused, uncertain how to continue. "You’re two and a half weeks pregnant, but your malignant brain tumor is worsening rapidly. If you don’t undergo surgery, you won’t survive more than six months." I was stunned, my fingers unconsciously brushing over my stomach. I was pregnant... but I always took my birth control pills. How could this have happened? In my current condition, how could I be pregnant? The baby couldn’t survive. It wasn’t even an option. "We recommend that you terminate the pregnancy as soon as possible and begin treatment for the malignant brain tumor," the doctor continued. I closed my eyes, swallowing back the tears that threatened to spill. My voice was hoarse when I asked, "Does that mean I only have six months left to live? No matter what, the baby can’t survive?" The doctor nodded regretfully. "Yes, six months if you cooperate with the treatment. If you choose to keep the baby, you’ll only survive for three more months. The fetus has no chance of surviving." The pain in my heart was unbearable, and I couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh. It was for the best. I never wanted to bring this child into the world anyway. When I’m gone, the child would be an orphan, with no one to care for them. I couldn’t bear to think of that. "Then please, arrange the abortion for me."