Five years of suffering.
He owed me this much.
The following day, the funds appeared in my account.
I immediately went to the nursing home to arrange my brother's transfer.
Overseas treatments were far superior.
I intended to take him with me.
But chaos greeted me upon arrival.
A nurse rushed toward me, her face pale with panic.
"Miss Prescott! Where have you been? Your brother's condition has deteriorated rapidly!"
My heart plummeted. "What? His vitals were stable! What happened?"
The nurse offered no clear explanation.
Soon after, the doctor emerged from the emergency room, his expression grave.
"Miss Prescott, we've stabilized him temporarily, but his condition remains critical."
"He could decline at any moment."
"Our facility isn't equipped for this level of care. I strongly recommend immediate transfer to the regional hospital."
I didn't hesitate.
We called an ambulance and raced toward the hospital.
We were just two blocks away when a procession of luxury vehicles blocked the road.
The driver attempted to negotiate, but returned shaking his head.
"They've reserved this entire section for a private event. They refuse to let us pass."
What could possibly justify blocking an emergency route?
I flung open the ambulance door and stepped out.
That's when I saw them–Sebastian, leaning casually against his car, his arm draped around Chloe.
The massive LED screen on one vehicle illuminated:
"Happy 24th Birthday, Chloe."
A birthday celebration.
They had blocked an emergency route for a party.
Fury ignited within me.
"Sebastian! Move these cars! We need to reach the hospital!"
He glanced over lazily. "You just left the hospital. Shouldn't you be home preparing soup for Chloe? Why are you at another hospital?"
"My brother!" My voice shook with desperation. "His condition worsened! I need to get him to emergency care immediately!"
My adoptive parents were gone forever. My brother was my only remaining family.
Sebastian knew this better than anyone. He hesitated.
But Chloe leaned closer, feigning confusion.
"Your brother? Isn't he safe and comfortable at the nursing home right now?"
Frustration burned through me.
"I don't have time for your manipulations, Chloe. This is life or death! Move aside!"
Her lips trembled as she manufactured tears.
"Alayna... I know you're upset because Sebastian has been spending time with me."
"But how could you sink so low? Fabricating your brother's death out of jealousy?"
She turned to Sebastian with an innocent expression. "Sebastian could verify the truth with one phone call. There's no need for lies, is there?"
Her gentle voice struck like daggers–hitting all of Sebastian's sensitive points.
Frowning, he made the call.
After a brief conversation, all hesitation vanished from his face.
Just then, medical equipment inside the ambulance began shrieking.
"Miss Prescott, he's crashing!" the nurse cried. "We need to go NOW!"
My palms were drenched as I begged, "Sebastian, please! Let us through!"
But Sebastian only sneered. "I just confirmed it. Your brother's perfectly fine at the nursing home."
"I never expected you to stoop this low, Alayna. How much did you pay that actor in the ambulance?"
"You're jealous of Chloe's pregnancy, so you chose her birthday to pull this stunt and ruin her celebration."
The machines inside screamed louder. But he remained blind to the truth.
Moments later, a long, flat tone echoed from the ambulance.
Chaos erupted as paramedics scrambled to resuscitate him.
The doctor emerged shortly after, shaking his head.
"I'm sorry, Miss Prescott. We were too late."
My entire body trembled. Tears streamed uncontrollably.
"Sebastian..." My voice broke. "You've finally done it. For Chloe, you've killed my last remaining family."
"Are you satisfied now?!"
For a fleeting moment, witnessing my devastation, doubt flickered across his face.
He started to speak when Chloe handed him her phone.
"Sebastian, I was concerned I might be mistaken, so I called the nurse earlier. Look–they're taking excellent care of her brother."
She showed him a photo of my brother, apparently fine, being cared for in his hospital bed.
The perfect cover story.
Any remaining doubt evaporated from Sebastian's expression. Disgust twisted his features.
"What incredible acting. Such a waste you didn't pursue theater."
"Today is Chloe's birthday. I won't deal with your nonsense now. But tomorrow, we settle this."
With that, he drew Chloe close and walked away without looking back.
I collapsed beside my brother's cooling body, sobbing helplessly.