Chapter 4

From then on, I kept my distance from this sister, giving her whatever she wanted.

In my previous life, Julian was the only thing I truly wanted to fight for.

But, I ended up in such a tragic state.

This time, I just want to live my own life—no fighting, no snatching, and no more love.

I finished my check-up alone and went to the pharmacy to pick up my medication.

The pharmacy was in another building, requiring me to cross a garden.

As I passed the fountain, I was stopped. Looking up, I saw Celeste.

“Well, look at you, already able to get out of bed. Doesn't look like your injuries were that serious, after all. Let me tell you, Mom and Dad are both on my side. Even if you told Julian that you were the one who accompanied him back then, and that he truly loves you, it's useless. Save your energy!”

Faced with her provocation, my reaction was indifferent.

“Don't worry, from now on, I won't like Julian anymore. Everything you want, I'll give to you.”

Celeste was already used to my submissive demeanor, and her eyes sparkled with even more triumph.

“Give up? Do I need you to give up anything? I've had everything I ever wanted since childhood! You're only fit to pick up my discards! You'll never win against me in this lifetime!”

I didn't want to engage with her taunts and tried to slip past her.

Seeing me try to leave, Celeste frowned, about to scold me further, when a familiar figure suddenly appeared in the corridor.

Her mind stirred. She directly grabbed my hand, dragging me and jumping into the fountain.

Neither of us could swim. We thrashed around in the water, screaming for help.

My wounds reopened, and blood stained the water.

The icy water rushed into my nasal cavity, making me cough incessantly.

I was in too much pain to struggle, my body sinking straight down.

Just as I was about to suffocate, I saw Julian rush over and jump into the water.

He swam past me, not even glancing my way, offering no help. He simply pulled Celeste out onto the bank.

Celeste, her eyes red, collapsed into his arms, then looked at me, still drowning, and deliberately feigned distress.

“Aria accidentally pushed me into the water, Julian. You know she's my only sister. Can you please save her?”

Hearing her words and looking at me in the water, Julian's face was as cold as frost.

“Celeste, don't speak for her anymore. She definitely intended to harm you and then jumped in herself to play the victim. Since she's so incorrigible, let her cool down properly in the water!”

Every word pierced my heart deeply.

My face turned purple, my ears buzzed, and all my strength was gone.

My consciousness grew hazy, and the scene before me blurred.

I watched Julian carry Celeste away, then lost consciousness…

I don't know how long it was before a cold draft woke me.

I shivered awake to see my parents standing before me, their faces livid.

“You've got some nerve, pushing Celeste into the water! Were you trying to kill her, take her place, and be with Julian?”

“Let me tell you, as long as your father and I are alive, we will absolutely not let that happen! You don't have a single thing that surpasses your sister. You don't deserve Julian at all. I advise you to face reality and stop dreaming!”

Hearing their angry accusations, I felt a chill run through me, my eyes slowly filling with despair.

The pain that had been suppressed for years finally erupted completely.

“I don't deserve him? And she does? If it weren't for your false testimony and lies, Julian wouldn't have even looked at her! You stole what was rightfully mine and gave it to her. Don't you find that utterly shameless?!”

Seeing me dare to talk back, Mrs. Henderson's face turned red with anger. Mr. Henderson raised his hand and slapped me across the face.

“You rebellious child! We are your parents! Your life and everything you have were given by us. We can take it back whenever we want, and give it to your sister if we want! What right do you have to object?!”

“If you dare to reveal the truth again, you'll see what we…”

Before he could finish, the hospital room door was violently pushed open.

Julian walked in, his brows furrowed.

“The truth? What truth?”

Seeing him suddenly burst in, my parents jumped, stammering their words.

“We… we were just disciplining this unfilial daughter, trying to make her tell the truth about why she pushed Celeste into the water.”

“Yes, yes. She refuses to admit it, and your aunt and I are furious. We don't know how to punish her.”

They exchanged a glance, tacitly changing the subject.

Julian didn't think much of it, his gaze on me icy cold.

“Since she still refuses to admit her mistake, lock her in the morgue. Release her when she understands what she's done.”

My parents thought it was a brilliant idea and immediately called security to take me away.

I clutched my swollen face, my eyes numb and empty.

I knew that resistance would only invite more brutal punishment, so I didn't struggle, letting them drag me away.

Wrapped in the chilling, eerie cold of the morgue, I could only hug my trembling body, constantly shivering.

In a haze, I remembered the days at the Sterling family's old estate, huddling together with Julian during thunderous, rainy nights.

Back then, he would take off his jacket and drape it over me, tightly hold my hand, pull me into his embrace, and repeatedly tell me he was there, not to be afraid.

Sweet memories intertwined with the icy reality, tormenting my nerves.

Time passed minute by minute. In hunger and cold, my consciousness slowly faded. Then I saw the door open.