Chapter 17
The hospital corridor smelled of disinfectant
Fabian stood outside the ward. He stared through the glass at Matthew’s pale face.
His fists clenched so tightly that his nails dug deep into his palms. Blood trickled from his fingers, but he felt nothing.
Matthew slowly opened his eyes. When his gaze settled on Fabian, disappointment and exhaustion weighed heavily in his eyes.
His voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper, as if every word drained the last of his strength.
“Fabian, if you insist on being with Valerie, I’ll revoke your position as the head of Porter Group. I’ll adopt a son from outside. You’ll no longer be the heir to the Porter family.”
Fabian’s fists tightened even more, but his expression remained calm. His voice was unwavering as he said, “I’ll give up everything, Dad.”
“Fabian, do you even hear yourself? You’re the heir of the Porter family and the head of Porter Group! Are you really giving up your family responsibilities for a woman?”
“I know I’ve disappointed you, Dad. I know you hate Valerie. But I’ve tried. I really have. And I still can’t forget her. She’s the love of my life. No matter what she’s done, my love for her never fades.
“I can abandon Porter Group. I can abandon everything, but not her. I know we’re both beyond redemption. But don’t worry, Dad. I’ll go to hell with her in our next life.”
A flicker of shock crossed Matthew’s face before it was swallowed by profound disappointment. He closed his eyes as if unwilling to look at Fabian any longer.
“Leave I don’t want to see you again.”
Fabian didn’t argue. He simply turned and walked away.
His figure was solitary, yet resolute. It was as if he had already made peace with his fate.
As he stepped out of the hospital, he nearly collided with Sasha Her face was pale, and her eyes were shadowed with exhaustion and sorrow.
For a moment, they just stood there, staring at each other.
Then Sasha suddenly smiled. It was a sad, bitter smile. “After all these years, I still lost to Valerie.”
“I’m sorry, Sasha. It’s over between us.”
Tears welled up in her eyes and fell freely. Her voice trembled as she said, “Actually I did so many things to frame Valerie. I made her misunderstand you. I made sure she saw us together. I even had her believe you hated her.
“I did all that so that you could give up on her completely. But I never expected that while you hurt her, the one truly in pain was you.”
Fabian’s pupils shrank. His nails dug into his already wounded palms.
“What did you just say?” His voice was hoarse and dangerously low.
Tears streamed down Sasha’s cheeks. Her voice was tinged with despair as she replied, “I’ve let go, Fabian. Go find her. You don’t need to apologize to me. Losing you is my punishment
* should never have tried to take something that was never mine to begin with. When you see Valerie again, tell her I’m sorry. I was blinded by obsession, and I hurt her again and again just to keep you. My worst punishment is knowing I will never be the one you love.”
Fabian’s fists trembled. His knuckles were bone–white. His eyes turned icy, and his voice was laced with restrained fury. “Sasha, you….”
But in the end, he said nothing. He just turned and left.
They were all sinners.
He and Valerie both were. So what right did he have to judge Sasha?
Sasha’s tears fell even faster. Then she suddenly shouted after him, “Fabian, I’ll take care of your dad! just be happy!”
Factan didn’t look back. He strode out of the hospital without hesitation.
For the first time in his life, he felt free.
He pulled out his phone and dialed Shane’s number. “Find Valerie. No matter what it takes, I want her found.”
On the other end of the line, Shane’s voice trembled slightly. “W–Why are you looking for her, Mr. Porter?
Fabian frowned. His patience was thinning. “Don’t ask questions. Just do it.”
Shane paused for a moment before saying hesitantly, “Mr. Porter, Valerie… is already dead.”
Fabian’s breath hitched. A suffocating weight crushed his chest, making it hard to breathe.
“What did you say?” His voice came out strangled
Shane’s voice trembled slightly. “She was the blood donor who died that day. Her blood was drained completely, and she stopped breathing on the spot. 1-1 didn’t have the courage to tell you then.”
