Sera looked up, set down her spoon, and lightly dabbed her lips with a napkin.

"How is Bianca?"

Julian froze, a look of shock in his eyes. "Sera, let me explain. She was in critical condition last night. I didn't have a choice..."

"It’s fine. I understand."

Sera interrupted him. "It was a matter of life and death. Anyone would have done the same."

The calmer she was, the more Julian’s guilt and unease intensified. His chest felt tight, as if something was blocking his breath.

He felt that this version of Sera was far more terrifying than her hysterical outbursts.

He opened his mouth to offer more excuses, but Sera continued:

"You should be more careful when taking care of her. She has the same illness as me; she can't have cold food or any kind of stress."

Sera’s voice remained flat as she listed the instructions. "The imported medicine the doctor tailored for me is in the left cabinet of the study. Take it and give it to her. If it’s not enough, have your assistant order more. No need to tell me. Also, the villa on the mountain is quiet and close to the hospital. It’s good for recovery. Let her stay there; she doesn't need to move."

She said all of this without even a frown, as if she were talking about a complete stranger.

Julian’s throat moved, but he found he couldn't squeeze out a single word.

Not long ago, Sera would have thrown a fit over this, trashing the house and threatening to make sure Bianca never left Rivercrest alive.

But now, she truly didn't seem to care.

A strange sensation rose in his chest, but he figured that since Sera always wore her heart on her sleeve, she must really be over it. After all, she never lacked for material things.

As his guilt subsided, he felt relieved, and he started justifying himself:

"I just think she's pathetic. She’s all alone in Rivercrest with no one to turn to, and she's so sick. I just wanted to help out."

Having said that, he looked at Sera and promised solemnly: "Sera, just wait a little longer. I’ve contacted every hospital, domestic and foreign. I've used every connection. We'll find a new donor soon. I promise, I won't let anything happen to you."

Sera looked at the conviction in his eyes and the certainty in his voice. She laughed inwardly.

She didn't follow up on his promise. She only asked one thing:

"When is Bianca’s transplant surgery?"

Julian blinked. "The doctors scheduled it for five days from now. All the tests are done, and the vitals are stable."

There was a faint, undetectable hint of relief in his voice.

Five days from now.

Sera nodded slowly and didn't say another word.

Perfect. That was exactly the day she would leave this world.

Chapter 3: The Donation Agreement

Since that morning conversation, Julian stopped hiding his actions. He stayed at the hospital openly to accompany Bianca.

The news spread like wildfire. Everyone in the city was whispering, wondering if Sera would finally snap.

But Sera acted as if she knew nothing. She kept to her daily routine.

She read, tended to her flowers, and occasionally sat in the garden to soak up the sun. She was unnervingly peaceful, showing no sign of wanting to cause trouble.

In her quiet moments, her mind drifted back to her memories of this world—everything involving Julian.

From the first time she saw him until the day he met Bianca.

It turned out that the gears of fate were never something she could stop, no matter how hard she tried.

She suddenly felt that this was for the best.

In the original book, the cannon-fodder Sera was destroyed because she stood in the way of Julian and Bianca. Her family was ruined, and her end was miserable.

Even after Bianca eventually betrayed Julian, Sera became the target of his redirected rage and died without an ounce of dignity.

Dying of an illness now felt like a stroke of luck. At least she wouldn't have to endure those humiliations. She could keep the last of her pride.

Since she couldn't stop it, she would stay far away. It was better than being caught in the crossfire of the plot.

Having made up her mind, Sera went to the hospital alone.

"Doctor, I want to know... in my condition, can I still donate my organs?"

The doctor looked at her medical records with a troubled expression. "Miss Sterling, your organs—aside from your heart and lungs—are very healthy. You can donate. But..."

"But what?"

"Mr. Julian came by a few days ago to ask about your progress. He said he’s doing everything to find a donor. There might be news soon. Why make this decision so early?"

Sera chuckled and shook her head. "No need. Even if a new donor is found, I won't be having the surgery."

Seeing her resolve, the doctor could only let out a heavy sigh and push the organ donation agreement toward her.

Sera picked up the pen and signed her name with a flourish, without a second's hesitation.

Once it was done, the doctor looked at her. "Miss Sterling, this agreement needs to be kept by an immediate family member. Should I contact Mr. Julian?"

Sera’s pen paused. Her throat felt tight. "Contact my parents."

Her parents had moved abroad after she got married. She had never mentioned her illness to them.

Initially, the doctors said she would be fine once they found a heart, and she didn't want to worry them from across the ocean.

But now, she felt a pang of regret. If she had known this would be the end, she would have called them back sooner, just to see them one last time.

After completing the paperwork, Sera left the office. Just as she rounded the corner of the hallway, she ran into Julian and Bianca.

Bianca was leaning into Julian’s arms, her face pale and fragile.

Julian was holding her with extreme care, his eyes full of heartache.

When he saw Sera, Julian’s eyes widened in surprise. He let go of Bianca and hurried over. "Sera? What are you doing here? Are you feeling unwell?"

Sera gave him a flat look. "I’m fine."

Bianca stepped forward, bowing her head slightly, her voice weak. "Miss Sterling, thank you for letting me have the heart... and for the medicine and the villa. I... I really don't know how to thank you."

That hypocritical display made a wave of irritation rise in Sera’s chest.

She had never been a gentle or generous person. She couldn't fake it before, and now that her heart was dead, she couldn't be bothered to try.

She looked up, her eyes cold. "Whether I give it or not, is it any of your business to thank me?"

Bianca’s face turned even whiter. Her eyes welled with tears as she took a step back, looking at Julian with a devastated expression.

Julian’s face instantly darkened. He looked at Sera with blatant disapproval.

"Sera, why do you have to be so aggressive? Bianca is trying to thank you. Is this how you show manners? Can’t you just be a little more gracious?"

Sera looked at him as if he had just told a joke. She thought she had let go, but seeing him protect someone else still made her heart ache.

"Julian, are you just now meeting me? Since when has Sera Sterling ever been 'gracious'?"

Her words left Julian speechless. The atmosphere between them plummeted to freezing.

Suddenly, Bianca clutched her chest, her body swaying. She coughed several times, her face turning ashen. "Julian... my... my chest hurts so much..."

Seeing this, Julian forgot all about his argument with Sera.

He swept Bianca into his arms, his eyes frantic. He didn't give Sera another glance as he turned and ran toward the emergency room.

He didn't notice that Sera’s own chest was throbbing with pain from his words. She gripped the hem of her shirt, her face just as pale.

Sera went home. She had just leaned back on the sofa to rest when a violent kick sounded against the front door.

Julian burst in, his eyes bloodshot. He stormed over to Sera and grabbed her wrist, his grip so tight it felt like he would crush her bones. "Sera Sterling, how can you be so vicious!"

Sera gasped in pain. "What are you raving about?"

"Did you send people to the hospital to hit Bianca? She’s about to have surgery! Her body is weak—you know she can't handle that! And here I thought you had changed. I didn't realize you were still so narrow-minded. You never intended to give up that heart!"

The veins on Julian’s forehead were bulging, his chest heaving.

"I didn't."

Sera gritted her teeth. The pain in her chest made it hard to breathe. she tried to wrench her hand away, but he only held tighter.

Julian didn't believe a word. His eyes were full of disappointment and rage. "You’re still lying? The person who hit her admitted it—they said you sent them! Sera, I'm warning you. Stay in line. Put away your 'spoiled princess' act. Do not touch Bianca or interfere with her surgery again, or I will personally teach you how to behave!"