Chapter 11
If Stacy had to inform Megan’s family, the closest relative would be her husband, Howard. Stacy set the thought aside for now.
“You can rely on medication,” Stacy said. “But you need to come here for your regular treatment too.”
Megan nodded. She knew that already.
“In that case, we’ll do hypnotherapy today,” Stacy added.
Hypnosis… After a moment’s thought, Megan nodded again. She followed Stacy to the bed and slowly closed her eyes.
In the darkness, her thoughts spun chaotically. Then she found herself standing on a cloudy day. Megan quickly realized where she was.
Cold lights glared overhead. The silence was eerie. Before her lay the corpse of her father, wrapped in white cloth.
It was the day she had gone to collect William’s body many years ago. Her mother, Olivia Baker, was sobbing, while she could only stare blankly at her father’s pale, damaged face.
William had jumped from a building, leaving her and Olivia behind. The Stafford family was left in ruins.
The scene changed, and Megan found herself standing outside the office building of Stafford Group. William’s blood and flesh were splattered across the ground in a grotesque mix of red and white. She stood frozen, staring at his half–open eyes.
Voices clashed around her. Olivia’s desperate cries blended with the cruel faces of those tearing into the Stafford family.
They wanted to strip Olivia and Megan bare. They couldn’t fight back. Someone shoved Megan, and she fell into her father’s blood.
Wolves closed in, ready to rip her apart. Then, a pair of polished shoes appeared before her.
“The Larson family will protect Megan,” a young yet familiar voice declared.
Megan lifted her gaze and saw Howard. He was still young then, dressed in a neat school uniform, but already carried the imposing air of a leader. His calm, dark eyes exuded a charm that steadied her.
“If you have a problem with that, come to me.”
With a single glance from him, the people behind him fell into line. From finances to logistics, the Larson family handled everything with precision.
Howard shielded Megan from the wolves. Then he crouched, pulled out his handkerchief, and gently wiped the blood and tears from her face.
“Come with me.” He extended his hand.
Megan held his hand. His palm was warm and dry.
In the present, tears slid down Megan’s cheeks as she slowly opened her eyes.
After that, events moved quickly. Leveraging his status as a member of the Larson family, Howard swiftly handled everything, whisking Megan and Olivia away from that terrible place.
The Stafford family collapsed soon after. Megan was no longer the cherished daughter of a wealthy household. Life wasn’t as luxurious, but she and Olivia were safe.
So how could she not have fallen in love with him then? And yet, she had managed to let go of him in an instant too.
Megan closed her eyes, frowning as pain spread from her chest to her fingertips. The pain was a sharp, stinging sensation.
Stacy saw her expression and sighed. “It seems you haven’t completely gotten over him.”
Megan didn’t answer right away. She sat up, wiped her tears, and said firmly, “I already have.”
When she opened her eyes again, all traces of emotion were gone. The past belonged in the past. She still had to live in the present.
She needed to face the downfall of the Stafford family and carry its weight. The fact that Howard loved Alyssa broke her heart, but she couldn’t stay shackled by it.
Just as Olivia remarried Ethan Parker, who became Megan’s stepfather, everyone had to find their own path. Megan had made up her mind – she would
move on.
Stacy nodded thoughtfully.
This wasn’t Acreport Hospital, but a private sanatorium for the wealthy, designed for both comfort and confidentiality. Patient records were kept solely within their system, which was why Megan chose this place.
She didn’t want anyone to know about her illness. Not even her best friend, Selena, had been told.
After some additional counseling, Stacy gave Megan her prescription.
Megan left the sanatorium with her medication and returned to her car.
Her pills came with clear dosage instructions. She had a bottle of water with her and could take her medication immediately if she wished
But she hesitated. Her gaze dropped to her stomach. She decided to wait until after the abortion. After all, it would only be a few days. With that in mind,
Chapter 11
Megan put her medication away.
2/2
Just then, her phone buzzed. A string of notifications appeared–most of them about “Celestial Voice“. Curious, Megan tapped one open and was startled to see Alyssa trending.
Hashtags filled the feed.
#AlyssaJoinsASingingCompetition
#AlyssaCelestialVoice
#AlyssaOur PurestComposer
She was even recommended a new video Alyssa had just posted.
In the clip, Alysssa looked frail but still wore a resilient smile. Her fragility only enhanced her beauty.
“Yes, the production team invited me to join ‘Celestial Voice.‘ I found the rules and format interesting, so I agreed.
“I’ll be one of the guest judges for the first live broadcast in a few days. Since it’s a singing competition, I’ve also prepared a song of my own.”
Her smile never wavered, though her reddened eyes.and pale complexion stirred pity.
“After learning I don’t have much time left, I reflected on my years of love, hate, despair, and acceptance. Somehow, that inspired me to write this song.
“It will be released on all streaming platforms on the day of the live stream. I hope it gives everyone strength.”
The clip, filmed in Alyssa’s Floral Studio, showed her surrounded by flowers as she bowed to the viewers. Following the clip, the video continued with commentary from the account’s owner.
“According to insiders, Alyssa’s new song is on another level. I heard many people in the recording studio cry while they heard it. Alyssa isn’t just gifted in floral design–she’s also an incredible composer.”
Praise poured in after that. A supposed 25–second clip of Alyssa’s song also circulated online. It was short, but it caused a sensation.
The 25–second clip went viral across the platform, used by creators as background music for everything from thirst traps to cute animal clips. The trend drove immense traffic to Alyssa’s video, which received countless comments.
“Wow, I never knew Alyssa could compose like this. I’ve been replaying that 25–second clip nonstop. Can’t wait for the full version!”
“What a tragedy. Alyssa is not only beautiful but also an amazing businesswoman and composer. I cry every time I remember she only has six months left.”
“All that effort, and Megan still loses to Alyssa’s 25–second clip.”
