Clara was stunned.

"Don't worry, I will cover all the costs of the process," Melody continued, her eyes feverish. "Once it’s done, I will send you abroad—Switzerland or New Zealand, take your pick."

"I’ll give you a sum of money, enough for you and your daughter to live without worries for the rest of your lives!"

Clara refused outright. "Miss Sterling, if you are ill, go seek treatment immediately."

These words seemed to strike a nerve with Melody.

She suddenly grabbed the handles of the wheelchair and shook it violently.

"You're the one who's ill! I am the eldest daughter of my family, how could I have a mental illness!"

"Clara Vance, why do you have to be alive! It would be so much better if you were dead! If you were dead, he wouldn't be thinking about you!"

"Madwoman!"

Clara tried to push her away, but she had no strength in her hands.

Finally, the bakery staff heard the commotion and came out; several people worked together to pull Melody away.

Melody struggled out of the crowd's grasp and left, her eyes filled with hatred.

Clara also hurried home with the cake.

However, at the moment she took out her keys to open the door, she was struck violently on the back of the head!

Clara didn't even have time to see the person behind her before she blacked out.

When she woke up, she found herself tied up in a classroom of the abandoned "Xiangyang Primary School" in Mojang Town.

Melody was holding a gasoline canister and a lighter, her face showing a state of maniacal calm.

"Since you don't want to fake your death, then I’ll make it real. I did this once eight years ago anyway; I don't mind doing it again."

"The water didn't drown you last time, so this time I'll use fire to turn you into ashes!"

Pungent gasoline was splashed all over Clara.

"Don't worry, I won't burn you to death right away. I’ll let the fire surround you bit by bit, so you can feel what despair and torment are like!"

Melody set the hallway on fire, leaving Clara alone in the classroom as it was rapidly engulfed by flames and smoke.

Just as Clara was on the verge of despair, Julian Vance smashed through the window and rushed in.

He cut the ropes, carried her on his back, and used his own body to shield her from falling debris and scorching heat waves, pushing outward step by step.

"Clara, this time I will definitely protect you!"

Amidst the flames, his vow mingled with the scent of burning flesh.

When he finally staggered to bring her to safety, he was covered in injuries and collapsed into unconsciousness.

The sirens of fire trucks and ambulances grew louder in the distance.

Chapter 19

It was three days later when Clara woke up.

She had a few minor burns, but Julian’s condition was far more severe.

He had extensive burns, and because of flying shards of glass, his left eardrum was perforated, resulting in permanent deafness.

He also had multiple fractures.

The doctor said it was a miracle he survived at all.

The police soon intervened in the investigation.

When they arrested Melody Sterling, she was sitting on a hillside opposite the abandoned school, quietly watching the burning building with a bizarre smile on her face.

In her bag, the police found a mobile phone containing a video.

It was the recording of Clara Vance being brutally attacked eight years ago.

Melody had not only recorded it but frequently watched it.

This drew high attention from the authorities.

They immediately launched a comprehensive investigation into Melody, and the "missing person case" from back then was reopened.

After Julian regained consciousness, he cooperated with the police to give a statement.

He told them everything he knew.

Including Melody hiring killers years ago, her mental state over the years, and the shady deals within their marriage.

Ultimately, Melody was officially charged with attempted murder, kidnapping, and arson.

The night before she was to be officially imprisoned, Melody committed suicide by slitting her wrists with a hidden shard of glass.

Julian was also investigated by the police for tax evasion, commercial bribery, and other crimes reported by Melody before her death.

Facing the impending prison sentence, he remained exceptionally calm, only requesting to see Clara one last time.

In the hospital room, the sunlight was pleasant.

Julian, wearing handcuffs, gave Clara a bitter smile. "I owed you two lives... I’ve returned one now, but I don't know how to return the other."

He told her he had long sensed this day would come.

So, he had saved two hundred million in clean funds beforehand. The password was her birthday, left for her and Seraphina.

"Consider it... compensation for that unborn child."

Clara shook her head. "I don't want your money. I have a job; I can support myself and Seraphina."

The police came in to announce that time was up.

Julian looked at her greedily and said softly, "Go, Clara. In the future... live well."

Clara looked at him one last time, turned her wheelchair, and left without looking back.

Half a month later, Clara received news.

Julian was eventually sentenced to twenty years in prison for multiple crimes.

Clara donated the entire two hundred million he left behind to orphanages and foundations for the disabled across the country.

On a sunny afternoon, Clara watched Seraphina as she painted.

The daughter had painted a group of butterflies and pointed to a blue one.

"Mom, look, this is Daddy. He turned into a butterfly and is watching us from the sky."

Clara gently stroked her daughter’s head.

"It’s a beautiful painting."

Seraphina smiled and continued painting.

Clara stood behind her, looking out the window. A real butterfly was fluttering past gracefully, its wings shimmering with fine light in the sun, flying higher and higher until it disappeared into the depths of the azure sky.

She remembered what Ethan Jiang had said while holding her hand before he passed away:

“Clara, a butterfly breaks out of its cocoon not to fly back to the past, but to fly toward a wider sky.”

“So don't look back; keep flying forward.”

A gentle smile appeared on her lips.

She had finally taken flight.

[The End]