My Death Countdown (by Netulla) novel Chapter 4

Chapter 4

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Sylvia hadn’t expected to run into him here either.

She didn’t answer his question, but instead asked, “What are you doing here?”

Adrien’s expression shifted slightly, a flicker of panic in his eyes.

“I was having lunch with a friend nearby and saw you, so I came over to check on you.”

Just then, the car door opened. Kiersten stepped out, smiling as she positioned herself between them.

“Adrien, is this your wife?”

Caught off guard, Adrien grew even more nervous but forced himself to stay calm.

“Syl, this is my friend, Kiersten Tresham.”

Kiersten politely extended her hand. “Nice to meet you, Sylvia. Did you come all the way out here for something im- portant?”

Sylvia pretended not to see her hand and looked down, her voice soft. “I’m just fulfilling a birthday wish. I came to take some photos.”

Kiersten’s eyes lit up.

“Photos? Can I join you? I have good taste. I can help you choose outfits.”

Sylvia glanced at Adrien. When he didn’t object, she didn’t refuse.

The three got into the car. Sylvia sat alone in the back, watching the scenery pass by.

At first, the car was quiet. Adrien held back, not daring to say much.

But soon, Kiersten started a conversation about a recently released movie.

Out of courtesy, he responded to her briefly.

It was a topic he enjoyed, so he got carried away, forgetting that Sylvia was in the back.

When they reached the destination, he got out of the car and walked away with Kiersten.

Watching their retreating figures, Sylvia moved her wheelchair out of the car with difficulty and followed them.

As they reached the entrance, a greeter smiled warmly at Adrien and Kiersten.

“Hi, are you two here for wedding photos? You make such a handsome couple. You look perfect together.”

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Chapter 4

Hearing the words “wedding photos“, Adrien frowned

behind us.”

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inctively. “What are you talking about? My wife is right

The greeter looked embarrassed and quickly apologized, “You two look so much like a couple, and you were talking

whole time. I made a mistake. I’m so sorry.”

Only then did Adrien realize how it looked. He hurried back to Sylvia, guilt written all over his face.

Kiersten also turned back with an apologetic expression. “Sorry, Sylvia, we got so caught up talking that we forgot about you. Why didn’t you say something?”

Sylvia watched their performance quietly, feeling nothing but tiredness. She said nothing.

When they were young, she and Adrien had also talked about everything–dreams, the future, anything and every- thing.

But now, they had nothing to talk about.

The atmosphere grew awkward.

The greeter, trying to smooth things over, stepped in cheerfully.

“What kind of photos were you thinking of taking today?”

Both Adrien and Kiersten looked at Sylvia.

She calmly said, “Just casual photos“, and Kiersten’s eyes sparkled with something in her mind.

“Why don’t you go pick out your outfits first, Sylvia? Since it’s hard for you to move around, Adrien and I can try some poses to see how they look. Then you can just copy them. It’ll be easy for you.”

Without waiting for a response, she pulled Adrien toward the studio.

At first, he seemed reluctant, but as Kiersten guided him through different poses, he gradually relaxed and started playing along.

They took several shots together, seemingly enjoying themselves.

At one point, Kiersten stood on her toes and pinched his cheek playfully, telling him to smile.

Looking at her lively expression, he broke into an indulgent smile.

Sylvia watched their intimate display from outside without a word.

They didn’t seem to stop anytime soon, so she called over a photographer.

“Could you take a portrait for me? I want it in black and white.”

As the photographer wheeled her into another studio, he tried to talk her out of it, saying black–and–white photos did- n’t look good.

But Sylvia didn’t change her mind.

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Chapter 4

After all, she was here to take her own funeral portrait.

Eventually, the photographer gave in and took the shot.

Just as the photo was printed, the commotion next door died down.

Kiersten walked over with a stack of freshly printed photos, oozing apology.

“Sorry, Sylvia, we got carried away and forgot about you. Why don’t you two take some photos now?”

Sylvia glanced at Adrien, who was avoiding her eyes behind Kiersten.

She smiled faintly, “No need.”

Adrien had realized how inappropriate his behavior had been.

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Guilt washed over him. He quickly stepped forward to push her wheelchair, offering to buy her a necklace to make up for it.

Kiersten insisted on tagging along, saying she wanted earrings and could help Sylvia choose.

They wandered around the mall for a while before Adrien got a call from work. The noise was too loud, so he headed back to the parking garage to take it.

Sylvia had lost interest in shopping and said she wanted to leave. Kiersten began pushing her toward the elevator.

After just a few steps, the fire alarm blared. A panicked crowd surged forward.

The surging crowd knocked over the wheelchair. Sylvia fell hard to the floor and was stepped on countless times by the rushing crowd.

Gripping a railing, she struggled to lift her head and saw Adrien fighting his way toward them against the flow of people.

His face was filled with panic. He pushed through the people, pulled Kiersten into his arms. His voice trembled with relief.

“Kiki, I’m glad you’re okay! I was so worried.”

Kiersten glanced at Sylvia on the ground, and upon noticing Sylvia’s gaze, she put on an awkward look.

“Adrien, Sylvia fell. It was so crowded.”

Adrien followed her gaze and froze when he saw Sylvia covered in bruises.

He immediately let go of Kiersten and helped Sylvia up, his eyes full of guilt.

“There were too many people. I didn’t see you. I’m sorry, Syl.”

Sylvia said nothing. Her expression was calm, as if nothing had happened.

The three of them headed out in silence.

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Chapter 4

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As they passed a young couple, Sylvia overheard the girl complaining quietly, “It was so dangerous. Everyone was running out, but that guy ran in because someone he loved was inside. Can you be that brave for me?”

When she recalled what she’d just witnessed, Sylvia’s hand trembled inside her sleeve.

She thought back to high school, when a group of thugs with metal pipes had cornered her in an alley. It was Adrien who’d charged in with a knife, reckless and desperate, to save her.

Some things remained unchanged. He was still brave, still willing to risk everything.

But the person he was rushing to save wasn’t her anymore.

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