Chapter 121: Resignation

Lif's POV

Last night sex with Roderick was mind-blowing and intense—even more so than our first night together. My body still hum with the memory of how he made me shudder, the echoes of my own moans and groans ringing in my ears. I couldn't even count how many times I reached orgasm.

Maybe it felt so good because it’s the last time I’ll ever be with him.

The thought settled into me like a heavy shroud of depression. There is something uniquely devastating about knowing the exact day you are going to die. It is a terrible, haunting thing. Two days ago, I believed I had nearly two years left; now, the clock has wound down to forty-eight hours. Actually, it isn't even a full two days anymore; it's nowess than two days.

I shut my eyes, sorrow spreading through my chest. I tried to be brave, telling myself that it meant nothing, that everyone has to die eventually. But it hurt, it really hurt, knowing I was being cut down so much earlier than expected, robbed of the years other people take for granted.

My work. My friends. My colleagues. And Roderick. I was ready to leave all of them, and the thought of them brought a fresh wave of unshed tears to my eyes.

“What are you thinking about?" Roderick's voice cut through the silence like a blade.

I had forgotten for a moment that I was still lying on his chest.

“Uhm?"

“What are you thinking?" he demanded gently.

“Everything," I answered, shaking my head against his skin. “I’m thinking about my life. My work. My friends. And you." I raised my head to look at him, my gaze lingering on his sharp features. “I’m going to miss you," I admitted, my voice thick with melancholy.

“You are not going to die. Trust me," he said. I couldn't help but let out a cynical scoff.

“It’s clear, Roderick. I can feel it already. I can feel the life draining out of me. There’s nothing left to do," I replied, my voice a hollow vessel of sadness.

“The Witch Coven is competent. They know what they can do—"

“No, Roderick," I cut him off. “I’m not taking their offer. You heard their demand. You heard them say they need a sacrifice."

“A vampire," he reminded me.

My body froze. Slowly, the implications of his tone started to register.

Don't tell me he's willing to sacrifice his own life for me.

“Don't tell me it’s what I’m thinking, Roderick?" I jolted up, kneeling on the bed. I fixed my gaze on him, my eyes searching his for the truth.

“You have to survive, Lif. You have dreams to achieve, and—"

“No!" I shouted, cutting him off immediately. “I don't give a damn about my dreams! If you dare think of sacrificing yourself for me, I’m going to hate you forever," I warned, glaring at him through a blur of tears.

He went silent, but his soft, steady gaze remained fixed on mine. It made my heart melt like ice in the sun. I slumped back down, resting my head on his chest again.

“Have you ever fallen in love before?" I asked, changing the topic. “You once told me you didn't have a heart, that it was impossible for you to feel emotions," I asked quietly.

“I did," he answered. My eyes widened.

“Who? When?" I demanded, my curiosity momentarily eclipsing my grief. “Was it when you were human?"

“The past doesn’t matter, Lif. Right now, I’m in love with you."

My jaw dropped at the raw sincerity in his voice. In that moment, I couldn't find a single reason to doubt him. A small smile tugged at my lips, and I felt my cheeks flush with heat.

“Since when?" I asked, my brows rising. The idea of him loving me felt like a miracle. I wondered when the shift happened—was it there from the beginning, or... when?

I was very curious

“Is that important?" he questioned.

I rose back to my knees, balancing myself in front of him, and cupped his face in my hands. I stared into his eyes, and there I saw a reservoir of unspoken emotions I never thought a creature like him could possess.

“No," I replied, shaking my head. “Nothing is more important than this moment."

I leaned in and kissed him. What started as a simple touch of lips ignited into something far hotter. He pulled me closer, his hands moving over my body with a familiar hunger. In one fluid, cautious movement, he flipped me onto my back and hovered over me, starting the job he was so very good at.

I stepped into the hospital, a long sigh escaping me as I scanned the lobby. This was going to be my last time here.

Since I only had two days left, I had spent the morning writing my resignation letter for the Human Resources department. The manager had asked what the problem was, but the truth was too heavy to speak.

I went to my desk with a cardboard box in my hand, and began the hollow task of packing my belongings. When the shelves were bare, I walked out and shut the door for the final time. Just as I turned to leave, I bumped into Michael.

Anger flushed through me at the sight of him. My muscles quivered, humming with a sudden, violent tension. I had trusted him as a friend, and he had stabbed me in the back. Seeing him hurt more than the betrayal itself; it made me realize his soft demeanor and kind attitude had been nothing but a facade. He was a bad person.

“Lif?" he called out.

I was so consumed by rage that I couldn't bear the thought of a conversation. As I tried to brush past him, he stepped into my path, blocking the exit.

“Just hear me out. Please..." he begged, his voice cracking with regret.

“What else is there to hear? You’ve made it clear that you aren't who I thought you were," I lashed out, my voice rising.

“I... I’m sorry. I didn't know what came over me..."

“There’s nothing to apologize for. It’s too late anyway," I snapped, stepping around him.

If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be in this nightmare. If he hadn't handed me over to Seraphina, I might still have had two years. But now, the timeline was shattered.

“How can I make it up to you?"

My steps froze. I stood rigid as his words hung in the air.

“What can I do to make everything right again? To make you stay at this hospital?" he demanded.

I turned back to him, a sad, weary smile tugging at my lips. “Nothing, Michael. Don't do anything. Like I said, it’s too late. There is nothing in this world you can do to make this right again."

I saw him bow hi

s head, the weight of his regret finally visible. Without another word, I turned and walked away.