Chapter 4Future Me Saves My Life

I instantly panicked.

"I made that for you! I didn't put any cucumbers in it. It's your favorite!" I cried.

Kayden was holding the sandwich awkwardly, not knowing what to do.

"I-I'm not hungry," he stammered. "You should take it—"

"Keep it." Sarah cut him off and shot me a glare. "It's just a breakfast sandwich. Stop making such a big fuss about it."

Then, she added, "Kayden's health has always been poor. What if he passes out? Can you try to be a bit more mature?"

Here we go again.

Over the past two weeks, I'd heard the word "mature" countless times.

I swallowed my frustration and watched Kayden take small bites of the breakfast I'd made with so much care.

My future self sighed quietly beside my ear.

"See that? Your efforts are nothing more than a tool she can use to win someone else's favor. She takes the love you give her and uses it to please another man. Then, she turns around and makes you feel guilty about it."

Throughout the hike, Sarah stayed by Kayden's side and constantly checked up on him.

"Watch your step. Don't trip.

"Are you tired? Give me your bag."

I followed behind them like an unwanted third wheel.

The trail was steep. Because of that, I twisted my ankle by accident.

I cried out in pain and dropped to the ground, clutching my ankle. Upon hearing the commotion, Sarah turned around, frowning.

"What now?"

"I twisted my ankle. It hurts."

I looked at her, hoping she'd help me like she used to. At the very least, I hoped that she'd show me some concern. But to my dismay, she didn't move. Instead, she glanced at Kayden.

His face was pale. He was leaning against a tree, struggling to catch his breath.

"Could you not make things more difficult for me right now, Elliot? Kayden's heart is acting up, and I need to look after him. Just make your way up slowly, or ask your driver to come get you."

With that, she helped Kayden to his feet and walked away without looking back.

"Hang in there. There's a rest area at the top. We're almost there," I heard her say.

She sounded so gentle, but her love and affection weren't directed toward me.

I sat on the stone steps and watched them disappear farther and farther up the trail. The pain shooting through my ankle was nothing compared to the ache in my chest.

My future self crouched in front of me and reached out as if to pat my shoulder. However, his hand passed straight through me.

"Do you still want to make that bet, Elliot?" he asked. "She doesn't care about you anymore."

I clenched my jaw. As my tears fell onto the ground beneath me, I replied stubbornly, "I won't believe you unless she tells me she doesn't love me anymore. She… She's just doing this because Kayden isn't well."

"That's right," I muttered to myself. "She's just too kind for her own good."

…

Sarah was so kindhearted that she was willing to sacrifice herself for Kayden. When I rushed in, she was about to sign a 50-thousand-dollar loan agreement with an illegal loan shark.

"Sarah! Have you lost your mind?" I snatched the pen from her hand and slammed it onto the table. "This guy is a loan shark! The interest will keep piling up until you can't pay it off! Are you really willing to sacrifice your entire future just to help him pay off his debt?"

Sarah shoved me hard.

Due to my injured ankle, I couldn't keep myself on my feet. I stumbled backward and slammed my back against the corner of the wall.

"You were born with a silver spoon, Elliot. You don't know anything. 50 thousand dollars is probably just pocket change to you. It's probably no more than a couple of shopping trips. But to Kayden, this money could change his life!"

Kayden, who had been huddled in the corner, let out a timely sob. "Sarah, please don't fight because of me. I'm not worth it. I don't want the money anymore. Worst case, I'll go to prison. I'll sell my blood if I have to."

As he spoke, his body trembled as if he were on the verge of collapsing.

Sarah looked heartbroken.

Jabbing a finger in my face, she roared, "See? Look how considerate Kayden is! Even at a moment like this, he's still putting you first because he's afraid you'll be upset!

"Do you even have a heart, Elliot? How can you just stand by and watch someone die? How will you sleep at night knowing you did nothing to help him?"

Sarah's face was contorted with rage. As I stared at her, I felt like I was looking at a stranger. The gentle young woman I'd once known had completely disappeared from my memory.

A thug who was covered in tattoos impatiently slammed a knife onto the table. "Cut the crap! I'm not interested in your sob story. Pay up, or I'll take one of this pretty boy's fingers as collateral."