Chapter 3

Tina had tumbled down the stairs. Beneath her, a bright red pool of blood slowly spread.

In the next second, the front door was kicked open, and Stanley shouted urgently, "Tina, what happened? The maids said your heart was hurting and you didn't want anyone disturbing you—"

Stanley's voice caught abruptly. Trembling, he slowly dropped to his knees and carefully gathered Tina into his arms.

Tina said weakly, "Stanley, don't blame Dawn. I made her angry by wearing her emerald pendant. I deserve to be pushed down these stairs…"

Stanley's eyes turned bloodshot as he looked up at me. His voice was icy cold as he gritted out, "Dawn. Perkins. You'd better have an explanation for this."

At this point, my heart had strangely settled into a sense of calm.

"There's nothing to explain. I didn't push her."

Enraged, Stanley laughed out loud. His large hand clamped down on my jaw as if he wanted to crush my bones.

"Are you saying Tina threw herself down the stairs just to frame you? Dawn, at least use your brain when you lie!"

I struggled with all my strength. The discomfort in my stomach was growing worse.

"There are security cameras all over the house. You can check them yourself."

Before I could finish speaking, Stanley kicked me hard in the stomach.

I collapsed against the wall. The blood in my stomach finally spilled out, gurgling from my mouth.

I coughed violently, and my voice was hoarse as I muttered, "All you had to do was check the cameras to know the truth. Stanley, why do you never believe me…"

Stanley looked down at me from above. His gaze was completely devoid of warmth. He said slowly, "Dawn, Tina has a serious heart condition."

Shadows fell across his handsome face, making him look like a vengeful spirit. He grabbed my hair with one hand and yanked my head up, forcing me to meet his eyes.

"Are you saying Tina would risk her own life just to frame you, huh?"

My scalp throbbed as if it would split apart. I gasped violently, and the pain left me unable to speak. Blood seeped slowly from my nose and mouth.

Stanley straightened up and casually wiped his fingers clean. He fixed his gaze on my miserable state and, almost instinctively, took a step forward.

Then, Tina cried out tearfully, "Stanley, it hurts so much…"

Only then did Stanley seem to snap out of it. He let out a cold, derisive snort.

"You're pretty good at pretending, Dawn. Tina doesn't have the dirty thoughts that you do. Trying to sow discord between us won't work on me.

"Since you hurt Tina over a cheap emerald pendant, you can forget about keeping it."

Amused, Stanley's eyes gleamed with cruel excitement as he watched me scream in despair.

"No! Give it back… Give it back to me!"

As if he hadn't heard, Stanley took out his phone. His movements were resolute and mercilessly cold.

"Since you can't behave yourself, maybe a few days in a psychiatric hospital would do you good. Don't worry. I'll make sure the doctors take very good care of you."

My eyes widened in terror, and memories of being abused in the psychiatric hospital in my last life flashed through my mind.

"No… No! I've already… tried so hard to avoid this…"

Without giving me a chance to argue, Stanley scooped Tina into his arms and left in a rush. His voice was gentler than it had ever been as he said, "It's okay, Tina. We're going to the hospital."

I collapsed onto the floor. The moment they left, I forced myself to get up and dial that number.

"Jason Wade, I'm begging you. Please come and save me…"

The man who would one day be cold and decisive sounded unexpectedly tense on the other end of the line.

Through the phone, he whispered, "Dawn, don't be afraid."

I heard the sharp rattle of car keys.

"Send me your location. I'll be there soon," Jason said.