Choosing One Life Over Many

"I'm breaking up with you," I said to Harrison.

"How can you break up with me over something so small? Didn't I give you the medicine? Don't push your luck, Mikayla. My patience is limited," Harrison fumed.

I looked up at him with a bitter smile. This was the man I had loved for years—a man so heartless in the face of life and death. He knew exactly what I needed most but still chose to walk away from me.

Summoning every ounce of strength I had, I slapped him hard across the face.

Harrison was stunned. He quickly grabbed my wrist to stop me from striking him again.

"Are you crazy?" he shouted.

"I said, we're breaking up!" I shouted back.

"Okay, we're done. You'd better not regret this!" Harrison said with a scoff.

Then, he shoved me aside and stormed out, slamming the door behind him. Moments later, he returned with bloodshot eyes that he used to glare daggers at me.

He spat, "This time, I'll never forgive you!"

I let out a scornful laugh. "Get out!"

This apartment belonged to Harrison—it wasn't until I threw him out that I realized it. It seemed I was the one who needed to leave.

Without hesitation, I packed my things while he was gone.

When I came across a family photo buried at the bottom of my suitcase, my eyes welled up with tears. It had been taken during the New Year when I went home to celebrate with my family. Now, I was the only one left among the people in the picture.

Taking a deep breath, I carefully tucked the photo away. Then I threw out everything in the apartment that had anything to do with me. When that was done, I picked up my suitcase and left.

There was only one photo of Harrison and me. We had taken it at an amusement park when we got on the Ferris wheel on our first date. In the photo, Harrison had his arm around my shoulder, smiling faintly and casually. His aloof demeanor had completely captivated me back then.

As I looked back at our relationship, I realized he had rarely shown me any warmth. Harrison never displayed any emotional highs or lows. He had only shown those emotions when he was with that woman.

However, it didn't matter anymore. It wouldn't matter in the future either.

I dragged my suitcase with me. After letting out a long sigh, I called Nina.

She drove over to meet me right away. The moment she saw my exhausted face and trembling body, she couldn't hold back her anger and scolded, "Look at you! How can you allow yourself to be in such a state because of a man?"

Nina scolded me nonstop as she helped me into the car. Finally, I broke down and clutched her tightly.

Through broken sobs, I said, "Nina… My mom, my dad… My entire family… They're gone!"

Her eyes widened in shock as she slammed on the brakes. "What did you say? They're all gone? How…"

"You have to help me. I want the culprits to pay for this!"

I told Nina everything, not leaving out any detail of what had happened.

Nina was so furious she started cursing. "That scumbag! How dare he say such things? No, we have to call the police!"

I grabbed her hand tightly. "Call the police? We've reported it countless times. They keep saying the matter is under investigation, but nothing happens. Besides, I suspect that Harrison knows about this too… You know what he's capable of."

Upon hearing that, Nina patted my hand reassuringly. "Don't worry. Leave this to me. He can't silence everyone under the weight of public scrutiny. Now, come home with me and get some proper rest. Once you're better, we'll figure out what to do one step at a time."

I nodded and followed her back to her place.

When I lay on the bed in Nina's room, I fell into a deep sleep. As soon as I closed my eyes, I saw my parents and the others. Their faces were covered in blood as they gripped my arm wordlessly.

I cried and screamed. In my delirium, I heard a voice say, "Kayla, take your medicine."

Half-conscious, I took the medicine and drank some water before drifting off again.

When I finally woke up, Nina was sitting by my side.

She said with relief, "You're finally awake! You had a fever all night, you know? You scared me half to death!"

I tried to speak, but my throat hurt too much. Nina gave me some water while saying, "That worthless man called you. I gave him a piece of my mind."

Before she could finish her sentence, my phone rang again—it was Harrison.