Chapter 4

Julian locked me in the room, forbidding me from leaving.

But I was hungry, my stomach rumbling loudly.

I missed the hotdogs Caleb used to buy me.

That night, the mansion buzzed with activity.

Julian was hosting a family dinner.

A servant led me downstairs, pressing me into a chair at the dining table.

The table overflowed with delicious food, but I dared not touch it.

Julian sat at the head of the table, Seraphina beside him, acting like the lady of the house.

"Eat."

Julian watched me coldly.

"Aren't you hungry?"

I stared at the steak in front of me. It was raw, with streaks of blood.

I was terrified of blood.

I shook my head, my eyes fixed on a small cake in front of Seraphina.

It was strawberry-flavored, surely sweet.

Seraphina noticed my gaze.

She smiled, pushing the cake toward me.

"Elara, if you want it, just eat it. Don't be shy."

I swallowed, cautiously reaching out.

The instant my finger touched the plate, a sharp pain shot through my inner thigh.

Seraphina's hand, hidden beneath the tablecloth, had mercilessly pinched me.

She put all her strength into it.

"Ah!" I cried out, my hand trembling.

The plate flipped, sending the cake crashing onto Seraphina's white dress.

Cream smeared all over her.

"Oh! My dress!"

Seraphina shrieked, tears instantly welling up.

"Elara, if you didn't want to eat it, why did you throw it at me?"

"This was a limited edition Julian bought for me!"

Julian slammed his hand on the table, springing to his feet.

"Elara!"

He glared at me. "Is your jealousy so strong that you can't even stand a single dress?"

I cowered, scrambling under the table.

Hugging my head, trembling uncontrollably.

"I didn't... she pinched me... it hurt..."

Julian didn't believe a word.

"Get out from under there!" he roared. "Pick up the cake from the floor and eat it!"

I didn't want to come out, but I was afraid of being hit.

I crawled out, knelt on the floor, and reached for the cake mixed with cream.

Seraphina, next to me, pretended to wipe her dress.

Her high heel discreetly crushed a glass that had fallen to the floor.

Fragments of glass mingled with the cream.

I didn't understand.

I just knew I had to obey to get food.

I grabbed a handful of cake, and the sharp glass shards immediately pierced my palm.

Blood streamed out.

"Wah!"

I cried loudly in pain, holding up my bleeding hand for Julian to see.

"It hurts... it's bleeding..."

Blood dripped onto the carpet, a shocking sight.

Julian looked at the blood, his heart suddenly trembling.

He instinctively started to stand up, but Seraphina suddenly clutched her chest and collapsed into his arms.

"Julian, my chest feels so tight... I must have been so upset..."

Julian's movement halted.

He looked at Seraphina, then back at my bloodied hand.

Finally, he turned his head, hardening his heart.

"Take her away."

"No bandages, no food."

"Let her learn her lesson."