I woke up in a hospital bed, burning with a fever. The room was empty.

The dull ache in my lower abdomen told me everything I needed to know. The baby was gone.

It seemed a child that isn't loved really does leave on its own.

I placed a hand on my stomach, tears streaming down my face.

Suddenly, I heard laughter from outside the room.

It was Chloe and Julian's friends.

"Man, that was intense. We actually put her in the hospital."

"As long as Chloe's happy. We're just helping you and Julian get together sooner."

Julian was there, his face grim, saying nothing.

Chloe's voice turned sharp. "What's with that look? Are you upset that we pranked her?"

"Don't you forget, you were the one who said she stole my championship. You said you'd help me get back at her."

Julian’s voice was laced with anger. "But you took it way too far this time! And... she was pregnant..."

A beat of silence, then Chloe shrieked.

"What did you just say, Julian? Are you telling me you've fallen for her now that she was carrying your child? Tell me!"

A second later, Julian was desperately defending himself. "Of course not! I've only ever loved you."

Chloe laughed, satisfied. Then they started planning the final prank.

"A week from now, Flora has another dance competition. What if we burn her costume the night before?"

"Yes! I want to see the look on her face when she has to dance in her pajamas."

"Julian knows where she keeps it. We'll lure Flora out, burn the dress, and make it look like an accident."

Through their cheerful chatter, I heard Julian's voice, low and clear. "Fine. I'll help you."

A dull pain throbbed in my chest. I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms, the pain keeping me grounded.

When Julian came into the room, I pretended to be asleep.

He stood by my bed for a long time before leaning down to kiss my forehead. "I'm so sorry..." he whispered.

My body ached all over, but it was nothing compared to the ache in my heart. This accomplice to my suffering, with his fake sincerity... he was disgusting.

After I recovered, I was discharged. Perhaps out of guilt, Julian was even kinder to me than before.

But I knew there was poison hidden beneath his sweet words. I wouldn't be moved by him ever again.

The night they planned to burn my dress arrived quickly.

Chloe and Julian's friends were over, making a mess of the house like it was a frat party.

Halfway through their late-night snacks, Julian announced they were out of beer and asked me to go buy more.

I obediently stood up, but as I reached the door, I turned back.

"Julian, you've played 998 pranks on me. How about for this last one, you go buy the beer instead?"

Julian froze, a wave of intense guilt washing over his face.

He opened his mouth, his body instinctively starting to rise from his chair.

But one of his friends cut in impatiently. "He told you to go, so just go. Why do you have to make everything so complicated?"

I kept my eyes on Julian.

And in his silence, I knew. It was true he was toying with me for Chloe.

But it was also true that a part of him cared for me.

I smiled, and under his watchful gaze, I walked out the door.

A few minutes later, smoke began to drift past the window.

I hid in the shadows, watching as Julian and his friends scrambled out of the house one by one.

"Miss Reed, everything is in place. I just need the items from you." A man in a suit, from the agency that specializes in faked deaths, stood beside me.

I handed him the bracelet Julian had given me. Then I took out my phone and sent Julian one last voice message.

"Julian, the fire is so big! Help me! Why won't the door open? Why did you guys break the lock? I can't get out! Julian, help!"

I wanted him to remember this forever. He was the one who personally lit the fire that killed me.

I wanted his conflicted feelings, his flicker of care for me, to complete my perfect, final prank.

After confirming the message was sent, the agent took my things and walked into the burning building.

On my phone screen, frantic calls from Julian started flooding in.