At best, the days I had left should be just enough for me to finish my birthday.

I covered my face with my hands, but couldn't stop the hot tears from sliding down my cheeks.

……

The days after the illness passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, it was my birthday.

The venue for the birthday party was chosen at a scenic manor.

Our mutual friends had all arrived, walking up one by one to congratulate me: "Clara, happy birthday."

I couldn't drink, so I thanked them with orange juice.

Finally, I saw Nina standing to the side.

Originally, few people knew her, but seeing the Buddha pendant around her neck, everyone knew her relationship with Julian.

I saw it too.

That was the love that belonged exclusively to Julian, which I could never possess.

I suppressed the bitterness in my heart and tugged at Julian’s sleeve beside me: "Dr. Nina doesn't know many people here. I have so many people accompanying me, you should go keep her company."

Julian’s fingers holding the wine glass curled slightly: "Are you sure you’re okay?"

I smiled and denied it: "With so many people here, what could go wrong? Go on, hurry."

Julian was still hesitant, but looking at Nina, who was standing alone, he eventually walked over.

The birthday party soon became lively.

I forced myself to chat with a few friends, but my gaze remained fixed on Julian and Nina not far away.

The two were chatting and laughing, looking like they were meant to be together.

This is fine. As long as someone can accompany him for the rest of his life, I can die in peace.

"Come on, it's twelve o'clock! It's time for the birthday girl to cut the cake!"

A friend suddenly shouted.

I turned my head and saw Julian pushing the cake trolley toward me.

Beside him was Nina.

A talented man and a beautiful woman, truly a perfect match.

Much more suitable than someone like me, who looked like a sickly ghost.

Thinking this, many emotions flashed in my eyes.

Finally, I slowly stood up and walked to their front.

Under everyone’s gaze, I took a necklace box out of my pocket and handed it to Julian.

"Julian, go confess!"

"It just so happens that while I still have the strength today, I can wish you and Dr. Nina a long-lasting and harmonious life together."

Chapter 9

Everyone, including me, never expected Julian to get angry.

He knocked over the necklace box, grabbed my wrist, and demanded: "What is the meaning of this?"

"I’m with Nina—is this what you wanted to see?"

I didn't understand why he asked that.

I could only answer instinctively: "Of course I want to see you happy and joyful..."

"Then what about you?" Julian raised his voice abruptly to interrupt me, "Will you be happy? Will you be joyful?"

No.

I naturally couldn't accept the person I loved spending the rest of his life with someone else.

But I was dying soon; if I could see him happy before I died, I would be content.

I opened my mouth, wanting to say "Yes."

But before I could make a sound, Julian let go of my wrist and turned to walk away with long strides.

The whole room was silent; no one knew why things had suddenly turned out this way.

And the person who felt the most out of place was Nina.

"To make such a scene for no reason—are you satisfied now?"

She hated me for putting her in such an embarrassing situation, and after glaring at me fiercely, she ran away with tears in her eyes.

The remaining people looked at each other, feeling awkward standing there, and eventually left one after another.

In just a moment, I was the only one left in the vast manor.

I looked at the cake Julian had carefully prepared and gave a self-deprecating smile.

Sure enough, I had messed things up again...

I felt weak, and my vision grew blurry.

I leaned against the cake trolley to steady myself, and at that exact moment, my head suddenly began to ache violently.

Accompanied by a churning in my stomach!

I couldn't stop the dry heaving, but nothing would come out, and in the end, I fell to the ground, curled into a ball in pain.

It hurts... it hurts so much!

I reached out unconsciously: "Julian..."

But no one responded to me.

And at this moment, my phone rang suddenly.

I couldn't see the name clearly, but I hoped it was Julian, so I forced myself to answer.

Instead, my mother’s voice came from the other end: "Clara, the contract I gave you last time—did you sign it? And that three hundred thousand you owe Julian? How could our family possibly have the money to pay that back? Hurry up and give it to him; he’s already messaged me several times!"

"And to think I treated him like my own child—he flips his face the moment things go wrong. I think you shouldn't be friends with him anymore!"

"Hello? Are you listening? Mom is talking to you."

I listened.

Every word my own biological mother said, I listened to carefully and thoroughly.

Only after listening did I realize—they weren't words; they were needles, they were blades, all stabbing into my heart!

I pinched my palms tightly, trying to keep my voice steady: "Mom, do you remember... that today is my birthday?"

There was an instant of silence on the line.

After a while, my mother’s voice, clearly feeling guilty, came through: "Of course I remember. What do you want to eat? Mom will cook it and bring it to the hospital for you. It just so happens that I can take back the contract while I’m there."

I closed my eyes abruptly, hung up the phone, and finally gave up, accepting the reality—

In this world, there is no one who loves me completely.

I don't know how long it took for the agony spreading through my body to slowly recede like a tide.

The ringtone that sounded in my ear again awakened my consciousness, which was dazed from the pain.

I answered the phone, and the tone on the other side was polite: "Ms. Ke, are you still coming for the skydiving project you booked today? If you are, you need to come earlier; I’m afraid the weather might change later."

Hearing this, my dazed brain slowly cleared.

Where was there anyone in front of me? Only the mess left behind remained.

"I’m coming right now."

After all, it was my final birthday; I might as well treat it as a farewell to the world!

After hanging up, I relaxed for a while before slowly climbing to my feet and taking a taxi alone to the site.

Half an hour later, at the skydiving base.

The staff saw me and immediately came to greet me: "Ms. Ke, all the safety officers for today are here; you can choose whoever you like."

I shook my head: "No safety officer needed. I have a skydiving license, and I want to jump by myself today."

I had visited this skydiving base often in the past, and the staff were familiar with me.

"No problem." The other person nodded, "Then I’ll take you to sign the high-altitude skydiving waiver."

I replied: "Okay."

After that, I changed into my equipment and boarded the helicopter.

The helicopter climbed slowly, breaking through the clouds until the sky was within reach.

I watched, but my eyes grew dim.

While lost in thought, the concern of a staff member came from beside me: "Ms. Ke, your complexion doesn't look very good. Are you sure you’re okay?"

I didn't have the strength to speak, so I just gave him a thumbs-up to indicate I was fine.

Until reaching the designated altitude, the staff opened the helicopter door: "Then I wish you a safe and smooth jump. See you in a while."

The moment the door opened, the high-pressure wind rushed in instantly.

I took a deep breath, and without hesitation, I jumped down—

Chapter 10

Nine hundred meters, eight hundred meters, seven hundred meters...

The towering mountains and the long, flowing streams were all reflected in my eyes.

But I was thinking of Julian.

He would probably be very angry after today.

I had made a decision behind his back once again.

But it doesn't matter; without me as a burden, he can finally be happily with Nina.

As for my family...

On my way to the skydiving base, I sent the three hundred thousand that Julian had confiscated last time, along with the electronically signed property transfer contract, to my younger brother.

With the money, they would live better lives.

Whether I live or die... it doesn't really matter anymore.

Four hundred meters, three hundred meters, two hundred meters...

I watched the ground getting closer and closer, without opening my parachute.

I slowly moved my hands down to my waist and, with a "click," detached myself from the harness equipment behind me—