I will await your arrival at home

Originally, Alla had planned to depart from this world in three months, leaving nothing but a handful of ashes for Billie to seek solace in. Now, that timeline had been brutally truncated to a mere three days, a fact she found difficult to assimilate.

As she groped for words, Billie abruptly released his grip on her. Seizing this moment of respite, Alla swallowed the words that had been hovering on her tongue. Regardless, her primary aim for tonight was to extricate herself from this situation.

"Darling," Billie bent over, pressing a harsh kiss onto her cheek, "I shall depart for now, but I will return to retrieve you in three days."

Alla, her cheek still tingling from his kiss, was overwhelmed by a wave of revulsion. However, she managed to smother her disgust in Billie's presence, feigning compliance with a nod of her head. Seeing her docility, Billie finally released her, heading towards the exit.

Just as he reached the door, he halted abruptly. "Oh, by the way," he turned, casting a significant look at Alla, "Your dear friend goes by the name of Margaret, doesn't she?"

Alla's forced composure faltered, her expression turning grim. Billie knew about Maggie, indicating that he had thoroughly investigated her background. This feeling of being utterly exposed was deeply unsettling for Alla.

"What about it?" she asked coldly.

Billie merely smiled. "No reason, just a reminder for you to stay put and await my return. Don't wander off, darling."

Though unspoken, Billie's threat was unmistakable to Alla. If she dared to attempt escape, he would target Maggie. The sense of powerlessness, of being trapped, washed over her once more, causing her to slowly unclench her fist in resignation.

"I implore you, leave her be. I will remain at home, awaiting your return," she responded devoid of emotion.

Billie blew her a kiss. "Such an obedient darling."

Disgust welled up within Alla as she slammed the door shut behind him, locking it firmly. She quickly retreated to the bathroom, turning on the shower and submerging herself in the bathtub. She picked up the bath sponge, scrubbing fervently at the places Billie had touched and kissed.

No matter how raw or blistered her skin became, she felt impure. She scrubbed with a fervour until the sense of disgust gradually faded, only then did she find some semblance of calm.

Billie was using Maggie as a threat, leaving her with no means of escape. If she didn't devise a plan soon, she would undoubtedly meet her end in three days.

With this thought, Alla quickly got out of the tub, wrapped herself in a towel, and returned to her bedroom to reach for her phone with the intention of dialling emergency services. However, remembering the extent of Billie's influence and power, she bit back the impulse.

Alla and Billie could be locked in a fight to the death for all she cared, she wasn't long for this world anyway. But Maggie was different; she was on the brink of matrimony. She couldn't allow her impulsiveness to bring harm to Maggie.

Alla stood still, lost in thought for a while. Finally, she scrolled through her contacts and landed on a blocked number. Seeing the familiar name that was displayed, her heart began to race uncontrollably.

He was the only one who could stand up to Billie, but he had already cast her aside. Would he answer if she called? Alla hesitated for a long while, ultimately lacking the courage to make the call.

Casiano's character was something she knew all too well; he was not one to look back at what he had grown tired of. If she called him, he might misconstrue it as her being clingy.

Since she had chosen to part with dignity, she shouldn't disturb him...

In the following days, Alla had a copy of her key made and collected some medication from the hospital. The consulting physician had suggested she be admitted in anticipation of a suitable heart donor, but Alla declined.

Her heart condition was congenital, and a surgical bypass had improved her condition significantly. However, ever since she was brutally kicked in the chest twice five years ago, signs of cardiac failure had re-emerged. Despite continuous intravenous therapy and medication, she was unable to stave off the deterioration of her health.

In the last few months, symptoms of advanced heart failure such as edema and breathlessness had cropped up. Knowing that her days were numbered, Alla had given up hope for a suitable heart transplant.

The medication she had procured was to suppress pain and reduce fluid retention. She thought to herself, having been a person who valued cleanliness and beauty all her life, she certainly didn'tdesire to present a disturbing sight in death. After swallowing a handful of pills haphazardly, she stashed a canister of anti-wolf spray and a small stun gun into her bag.

She hadn't come up with an effective plan, leaving her with no alternative but to confront Billie head-on. If it came to it, they could both meet their end - neither party would find satisfaction.

In the following days, Alla managed to get a duplicate of her key and collected some medication from the hospital. The primary doctor recommended her hospitalization while waiting for a suitable heart donor, but Alla refused.

Her heart disease was congenital and the artificial bypass surgery conducted earlier had brought some improvement. However, since her heart was brutally kicked twice five years ago, signs of failure began to emerge again. Despite continuous fluid transfusion and medication, she couldn't control the outbreak of the disease.

In the past few months, symptoms of late-stage heart failure like edema and difficulty in breathing had appeared. Alla knew her days were numbered and thus, she gave up the hope for a suitable heart.

The medicines she took were mainly to suppress the pain and edema. She thought to herself, having been a person who valued tidiness and beauty throughout her life, she couldn't afford to die in an unsightly way.

After hastily swallowing a handful of pills, she placed the wolf spray and small electric baton, which she had bought in advance, into her bag.

She couldn't think of a good solution and was left with no choice but to confront Billie. If need be, they would die together - neither would get away unscathed.