Chapter 4

Sara POV

A week after the rain, the temperature dropped sharply. The stables were drafty on all sides, causing my already weakened body to develop a high fever.

Delirious with fever, I seemed to see a figure appear before me.

It was Meredith.

"Why won't Lucas just let you leave the Knight family? Even though you're living like a dog in these stables, barely surviving, just seeing you makes me uncomfortable."

I was planning to leave the Knight family, but no one would listen to me.

Since Meredith's return, I hadn't had a single healthy day.

"Oh, right. Lucas has published news across the internet that you plagiarized my research. You'll never be a doctor again."

Meredith shoved her phone in front of me. The words "plagiarist" stabbed into my eyes.

More glaring than that were the red marks on Meredith's collarbone. I knew those marks too well. They were left by Lucas when he was aroused.

I thought I'd completely given up on Lucas, but why did my heart still hurt so much?

My barely maintained consciousness snapped under the final straw. I gradually lost consciousness.

When I woke again, I was in a hospital room with Lucas sitting by my bed.

"Lucas, please let me go. Let me leave, okay?"

My voice came out hoarse.

No matter what, I was grateful Lucas had arranged my brother's funeral and, whether sincere or not, had given me such a happy period of time.

I didn't want anything anymore. I just wanted us to part on good terms.

Lucas frowned.

"Samuel's dying wish was for me to take care of you. From now on, you're my sister. As long as you don't provoke Meredith, the Knight family will always have a room for you."

"Where else could you go if you left? You can't be a doctor anymore. The Knight family doesn't lack the money to feed you."

With that, Lucas turned and left the room.

I covered my head with the blanket and cried silently.

He was the one who fought desperately to be with me. Now he's the one calling me his sister. Lucas had turned me into a complete joke.

I stayed in the hospital for two days recovering, then checked myself out.

The foreign company had already messaged me. In three more days, my documents would be ready and I could leave.

Before leaving, I needed to pay my respects to my brother one more time.

Just as I walked out of the hospital entrance, someone suddenly covered my mouth from behind.

A pungent smell filled my nostrils.

My vision went black, and I lost consciousness.