"I was planning to finish making Sean's meal before calling you. I didn't expect you to come this soon. I'm sorry—I should have phoned earlier."
"It's fine…" Elena shook her head quickly when the nurse went to fetch her a chair. "Miss Liu, please, don't worry about me. I'll manage on my own."
Elena pulled up a chair and sat at Sean's bedside. The boy's eyelids fluttered weakly, his lips pale but tugged into the faintest curve. His whole face was drained of color.
Even after narrowly escaping death, he still tried his best to smile at her. "Sister… what a coincidence. I was just thinking about you, and here you are."
Her lips pressed tight, tears stinging her eyes. "I missed you too, Sean…" She reached out, gently caressing his face. "Does it hurt?"
His voice was hoarse, almost a whisper. "No… it doesn't."
But then his gaze dimmed, as if remembering something urgent. "Sis… about Sophia…"
"Sean, I know what you're thinking." Elena's voice softened, cutting him off gently. "But I need you to trust me."
He lifted a trembling hand and gripped her slender wrist. "Of course I trust you."
But he knew her too well.
He knew that to save him, she would sacrifice anything. That was why Sophia's words had struck him so hard. He couldn't bear to die, couldn't bear to leave his sister behind… but even more than that, he couldn't bear to see her destroy herself for his sake. He didn't want to be her burden.
"You trust me, and that's enough," Elena whispered, tightening her hold on his fragile fingers, each one thin as bamboo twigs. "Yes, it's true—the family hasn't given me money. But the money for your treatment is clean, Sean. I earned it through my own work, with help from Vivian and Selene. I have never sold myself."
Her tone firmed, though her voice stayed gentle. "The things Sophia said were lies meant to hurt you. She couldn't get to me, so she went after you instead—because she knows you mean the most to me. Do you understand now?"
Sean gave a faint nod. "Mm…"
"Sis…" His words came slowly, each syllable weak, but his tone tender. "From now on, no matter what anyone says, I'll believe you. I won't listen to anyone else again."
Relief warmed her chest. She squeezed his hand tighter.
Then his weak voice came again. "Since I'm being such a good boy… will you promise me something in return?"
Her heart squeezed. "What is it?"
"You must never sell yourself for me. Not ever."
Elena froze for an instant, but then forced her expression steady. "Alright. I promise."
A small, fragile smile broke across his lips. "I believe you. You've never broken a promise."
"When I get better, I'll go to work. Then I'll be the one to take care of you. To protect you. Okay?"
Her throat tightened like it was stuffed with wet cotton—suffocating, painful. It took her a long time to force out a single word. "Okay…"
When the nurse brought the food, Elena fed Sean spoon by spoon. He behaved so well, finishing the entire bowl without complaint.
As night fell, his energy waned. After a few quiet words, he dozed off. Elena tucked the blanket around him with aching tenderness, then sat at his bedside, holding his hand in silence.
Even asleep, Sean seemed to sense her presence. The tight lines on his brow eased, his pale lips curving faintly upward.
The room was hushed, broken only by the drip of the IV and the steady hum of machines.
Then Elena's phone rang. It was Ethan.
"Elena," his voice came, cautious, "I thought about it for a long time after I got home. I finally decided I should call you. The day after tomorrow, Selene's family is hosting a banquet. Lucian will be there. Now—you know my situation. I can't give you my invitation, but your family was invited as well. You could attend with your father."
Elena understood immediately. "I see. I'll go back to the Sung house, then. Thank you, Ethan."
"Hey, don't thank me. I didn't do much."
After hanging up, Elena grabbed her bag.
"Miss Sung, are you leaving?" the nurse asked.
"I have something urgent to take care of." Elena's gaze softened as it fell on her sleeping brother. "Please… take good care of him for me."
"Of course, Miss Sung," the nurse said earnestly.
Elena nodded, gave Sean one last lingering look, and walked out of the hospital.
Sean, I will save you. I swear it.
On the way back, she tried calling Derek. But her call wouldn't go through—he had blocked her number.
Her lips curved in a bitter smile.
When she stepped through the doors of the Sung villa, a mocking voice greeted her at once.
"Well, well. Look who decided to come back."
At the top of the staircase stood Sophia, draped in a silk nightdress, descending with lazy grace.
Elena ignored her and headed straight for the stairs, only for Sophia to block her path. "And where do you think you're going?"
Elena's brow furrowed. "Sophia, I don't have time for your games. Move."
Sophia still hadn't forgiven her for the matter of the ring. Now that she had the chance, she wasn't about to let it slip away.
"Oh? Weren't you so high and mighty when you stormed out of this house? What's the matter now—crawling back already?"
"I'll say it again. Move," Elena said coldly.
Sophia laughed, a sharp, cruel sound. "And if I don't? What can you do about it? Push me? Go ahead—try. If you shove me down these stairs, Daddy will make you and Sean pay for it. You know he will."
Elena's chest tightened. She knew better than anyone how biased Derek was.
And Sophia knew it too. That was why she kept provoking Elena with Sean's name—baiting her into losing control, then playing the victim so Derek would despise his eldest daughter even more.