Chapter 8 Final Farewell
956 Words
Right then, Christina heard Hector's footsteps retreating once more.
She crawled desperately toward the door, pounding on it with every ounce of strength she had left, trying to make him hear her. But Hector never turned back.
Christina closed her eyes in utter despair as a single tear slipped down her cheek.
The venom surging through her body reached its cruel peak. It felt as though a thousand needles were stabbing every inch of her skin, and the pain made her shake violently.
Moments later, her mind grew hazy, and she slipped into total unconsciousness.
She had no idea how much time had passed when a chaotic clamor jolted her awake. For one terrifying second, she thought she had crossed into hell, but when she forced her eyes open, she realized she was still trapped in the basement.
She had not died. She was still alive.
Before any wave of relief could reach her, frantic footsteps thundered outside.
"Run, everyone! Fire! The whole place is on fire!"
As the shout rang out, Christina saw flames already devouring the basement ceiling. Thick black smoke poured through every c***k.
Panic shot through her. She slammed her fists against the door, screaming to draw anyone's attention.
Soon, Hector's worried voice cut through the noise. "Christina, don't be scared. I'm opening the door for you right now."
Joy flooded her. She waited obediently, heart racing with hope.
But just then, Bianca's terrified cry echoed from the second floor.
"Hector! Save me! Hector!"
Hector, who had been reaching for the basement lock, froze. He looked up and spotted Bianca trapped on the second-floor balcony.
He glanced at the door only inches away, then at the woman calling for him. After a split second, he spun around and plunged straight into the roaring flames, racing upstairs.
The sound of his footsteps fading away hit Christina like a bucket of ice water. She stood frozen, stunned.
The basement was now burning fiercely. She kicked and slammed against the iron door with everything she had, but it refused to move.
Moments later, Hector burst out of the fire carrying Bianca in his arms. Seeing the basement door still locked, he did not hesitate—he charged back into the inferno.
The lock had grown scorching hot. The instant his hand touched it, his palm swelled bright red from the burn.
Bianca rushed over, tears streaming down her face. "The beams are about to collapse, Hector! We have to leave now. If you stay, I stay too. We'll die together if we have to."
Hector's face darkened. He gave the basement door one last conflicted look, then turned and dragged Bianca out of the blaze.
At the same moment, Christina finally kicked the door open. But just as she lunged for freedom, a heavy beam gave way and crashed down onto her with brutal force.
When Christina opened her eyes again, she was lying in a hospital bed.
A notice from the Federal Passport Office awaited her: her passport and visa were ready, and she should collect them at once.
After two long weeks of darkness, this was the only piece of news that brought any light to her heart.
She was about to slip out of bed and leave when the door swung open, and Hector walked in.
Seeing her on her feet, he frowned. "You just had a transfusion. Your body hasn't recovered yet. Don't move around."
Christina frowned back, eyes full of confusion.
Hector explained, "Bianca was hurt in the fire and needed blood. You share the same rare type, so I told the doctor to take some of yours."
Christina signed quickly, "How much exactly?"
"A thousand cc."
Her hand froze in mid-air. She stared at him in disbelief, then signed with furious strokes, "Did you even ask me? What right did you have to take my blood?"
Hector's brows drew together. "But you're perfectly fine now, aren't you? The Larson family has done so much for me. I couldn't just stand by and watch Bianca suffer."
Christina let out a bitter laugh of pure anger. She dropped her hands and refused to sign another word.
"Don't worry," he went on, "I won't take it for nothing. Bianca said she'll let me spend a whole week with you. Think of it as fair compensation."
Before he could say more, his phone buzzed. It was a message from Bianca.
Bianca: Hector, the doctor says my condition has worsened. I need to get away and clear my head right away. Take me to see the Northern Lights immediately.
Hector's face changed. He turned to Christina and said, "Something urgent has come up. I have to go now. Stay here in the hospital and wait for me."
He did not wait for any reply. He simply turned and walked out.
Christina did not wait. She collected her passport and visa, grabbed her suitcase, and headed straight for the airport.
The moment she stepped inside the terminal, she spotted them at the check-in counter—Hector and Bianca, standing hand in hand like the happiest couple in the world.
The sight tasted like bitter irony on her tongue.
Then she glanced down and saw Hector's message.
Hector: Christina, things are serious here, and I need to leave on a business trip for a while. Don't worry. I'll come find you the second I'm back.
This time, the lie stirred nothing inside her. She felt only a quiet, final emptiness. She knew she was truly done with Hector.
Without hesitation, she pulled the SIM card from her phone, dropped it into the nearest trash bin, and boarded the plane.
She left that whole painful world behind. All she wanted now was to never see Hector again.
- Writer
