Chapter 6

I never expected them to take me to Seraphina's hospital.

"Let me see the report."

A familiar voice sounded from above my head.

Seraphina burst in like a whirlwind, her forehead glistening with sweat.

As if she had just rushed back from somewhere.

The other doctor patted her shoulder. "Don't worry, Dr. Seraphina, he's fine."

Before the System-assigned death date,

no instrument could detect any issues with my body.

Seraphina meticulously read every paper report.

When she looked up again, her eyes held an unfamiliar sharpness.

"No external or internal injuries. What kind of car accident is this?"

"Liam, you've stood me up twice now. What's your game?"

I folded my hands. "A car accident, that's what. Oh, and it was your new husband who hit me. He fled the scene too."

She didn't even think, frowning as she retorted,

"Impossible. Julian is a good guy; he wouldn't do something like that."

"So you're saying I'm not a good guy, that I'd lie?"

Both of us froze after I said that.

A flicker of awkwardness crossed her eyes.

Because she, too, realized that she trusted Julian more than me.

I asked the System in my mind, "Will he get caught?"

The System replied definitively, "Yes. This world is still a society governed by law."

Oh, good, then I felt relieved.

Let the law judge her 'good guy.'

If it weren't for the System protecting me, that massive impact should have killed me instantly.

He was a hit-and-run driver.

I raised my hand to check my watch. "Seraphina, let's go. To the courthouse, now."

"Otherwise, I'm out of time."

Her hands were in her pockets, her tone flat. "What do you mean, 'out of time'?"

"I'm dying." Three days from now, at 4 PM.

I once asked the System, "Is there anything special about that time?"

"Ten years ago, at 4 PM, was when you two first met."

Oh, full circle.

Seraphina glanced indifferently out the window, her tone impatient.

"Liam, you should see a psychologist."

I laughed, angered. "Seraphina, you're the one who's sick, wanting to have your cake and eat it too, you manipulative…!"

I turned to leave, but she grabbed my wrist.

"Haven't been eating properly lately? You've lost weight."

"None of your business."

"Eat something first, Liam."

Just as I was about to refuse, her phone vibrated.

I saw Julian's name on the screen.

Seraphina instinctively let go of my hand.

He was whining on the phone, saying he had a nightmare and was scared.

Seraphina softly soothed him for a few moments.

She glanced at me, then replied to him, "Yes, I'll be back soon."

When she ended the call, a flicker of hesitation crossed her eyes.

"Liam, you go eat first—"

I scoffed internally. A nightmare? Or was he scared and guilty from hitting someone?

Perfect.

By choosing him again, Seraphina missed our last meal together.

When she thought back on it later, would she regret it?

The final countdown of my life.

I lay on the cold operating table.

Waves of stomach-churning, organ-shattering pain washed over me.

It's okay, just bear with it.