Chapter 276 Kevin, Your Luck Has Run Out

Chapter 276 Kevin, Your Luck Has Run Out
Kevin's POV

A few days later, my cold finally cleared up and I was back to my old self. I couldn't help but chuckle at my sister's sweet smile as she prepared for Alexander's birthday. That's just how people in love are.

Just as I stepped out of the bathroom, my phone rang, the screen flashing with an unknown number. I answered the call right away.

"Hello, Mr. Jordan? This is Seattle Customs. We have an international package requiring your signature for release. It's marked as a valuable item."

My heart quickened. "The bracelet," I muttered, then more clearly: "No problem, I'll come right away."

After dressing quickly, I drove to the customs office, anticipation building with each mile.

Katherine would be thrilled to see this bracelet—the piece that so eerily resembled our mother's description of a family heirloom. The customs officer handed me a small package after I completed the necessary paperwork.

"Thank you," I said, carefully tucking the box into my jacket pocket.

Back in my car, I couldn't resist opening it. The bracelet gleamed just as beautifully as in the photos—delicate silver links interwoven with sapphires that perfectly matched Katherine's eyes.

I smiled, imagining her expression when I would place it in her hands.

"Time to visit my sister," I said to myself, starting the engine and heading toward the Hudson mansion.

Halfway through downtown Seattle, my phone rang again. When I saw the name on the display, my eyebrows shot up in surprise. I answered it anyway.

"Ms. Garcia? This is unexpected."

"Kevin..." Her voice sounded hollow, fragile. "I hope I'm not disturbing you."

I frowned, sensing something off in her tone. "Not at all. Is everything okay?"
"Everything's fine," she replied unconvincingly. "I just... thought of you and wanted to call. I'm still in the hospital, but don't worry about me."

Her voice caught slightly. "It seems you're the only one willing to be my friend now. My former friends, the man I was going to marry... they're all gone."

The sound of muffled crying came through the line, accompanied by what sounded like wind. My grip tightened on the steering wheel.

"Selena, where exactly are you? What's going on?"

"Nothing's wrong, really," she insisted, her voice strained. "I just wanted to say I'm lucky to have met you in this final stage of my life. Be happy, Kevin. That would give me peace."

The hairs on my neck stood up. Was she going to harm herself? The thought hit me like a bolt of lightning.

"Goodbye, Kevin," she said softly. "If we meet again, I hope I'll be whole."

The line went dead. My stomach twisted with dread as I immediately turned the car toward Seattle Private Hospital. Final stage? Whole? Those weren't the words of someone in a healthy state of mind.

The hospital corridors seemed endless as I rushed toward Selena's room, only to find it empty—bed made, personal items gone. I called her phone but got no answer.

Where would she go if she were planning something drastic?
"The roof," I whispered, darting toward the stairwell.

I burst through the rooftop door to find Selena struggling to climb over the safety railing, her supposedly paralyzed legs somehow supporting her weight. Without hesitation, I lunged forward, grabbing her around the waist and pulling her back.

"Selena, what the hell are you doing?!" I shouted, my heart hammering.

She twisted in my arms, her face contorted with emotion. "You shouldn't have come! Why save me when I can't even climb over a railing properly? Let me go!"

I held her firmly, trying to keep my voice steady. "This isn't the answer. Why would you give up on yourself?"

"There's no chance left," she sobbed, shaking her head violently. "None at all."

I gripped her shoulders, forcing her to look at me. "Listen to me. Nothing is worth throwing away your life. There's still so much beauty you haven't seen. Please, don't do this."

Selena pushed against my chest, desperately trying to free herself. "We're practically strangers! Leave me alone! I have no hope left—what good are your empty words?"

As she struggled, I thought I caught something strange flicker across her face—almost like a smile? Before I could process it, she lunged toward the edge again, and I yanked her back forcefully.

In the struggle, the box containing Katherine's bracelet slipped from my pocket, sliding dangerously close to the edge. I instinctively reached for it, momentarily loosening my grip on Selena.

"Ahhh!" she cried out as her leg caught on a protruding wire, tearing her pants and leaving a thin red line across her skin.

I froze, staring at the scratch. At her reaction. At her legs.

"Selena, your leg..."

Her eyes widened with the realization of her mistake. The same legs she'd claimed had no feeling, had clearly just registered pain!!!

"You can feel your legs," I said slowly, anger building in my chest. "They're not paralyzed at all. You're not facing amputation. Why would you lie about something like that?"

She started stammering excuses, but I'd had enough. I grabbed a small piece of debris and tossed it toward her feet. She immediately jumped back, reflexes perfectly intact.

"What exactly is going on here?" I demanded, fury replacing concern. "What kind of sick game are you playing?"

The transformation in her was immediate and chilling. Her tears vanished, her posture straightened, and a cold smile replaced her desperate expression.

"I actually liked you, Kevin," she said with surprising composure. "You were pleasant company. Unfortunately, your luck has run out." She extended her hand. "Give me the bracelet, and we can pretend this never happened."

Understanding dawned on me. Her reaction when she'd seen the bracelet photo on my phone hadn't been random shock—she'd recognized it.

"Not a chance," I said firmly. "This belongs to my sister. It's hers."

Selena laughed, a harsh sound nothing like her previous gentle demeanor. "Your sister's? Katherine doesn't deserve it! That bracelet is mine—it will never belong to her!"

I took a step back, stunned. "I never mentioned my sister's name was Katherine. How do you know her? What do you want with her?"

"That's none of your concern," she replied coldly. "Give me the bracelet, and I might let you walk away from this."

I pulled out my phone, quickly dialing Katherine's number. Selena lunged forward, knocking it from my hand and sending it sailing over the edge of the building.

"You're making this difficult," she snarled.

"Who are you really?" I demanded. "What do you want with Katherine? This bracelet—you stole it from her, didn't you?"

Her eyes narrowed dangerously. "So many questions, Kevin. You're not in a position to interrogate me. I need that bracelet, and your moral high ground means nothing. You're just an ex-con, after all."

The mention of my false imprisonment sent a jolt of rage through me. My breath came faster as memories of that dark time flooded back.

"You're one to talk about morality," I spat. "You're nothing but a manipulative liar! You're not leaving here. I'm going to make sure Katherine knows exactly who you are and what you're after!"

Selena's face hardened. "Last chance. Give me the bracelet!"

"Never," I growled as we began circling each other on the rooftop, the small box containing the bracelet clutched tightly in my hand.

I need to protect what belongs to my sister.