Chapter 3

My phone buzzed. The screen lit up with a message and a photo from Madeline.

"Don't think that Joshua will soften his heart just because you've been acting pathetic lately. In his heart, you'll never compare to me. And do you really think that Joshua punished those 13 men for your sake?"

My chest tightened sharply, and a wave of panic made me gasp for air. But the next moment, I forced myself to calm down. For as long as I could remember, Joshua had never broken a promise to me.

Madeline had always loved using this method to drive a wedge between Joshua and me, filling us with mutual suspicion until our relationship fell apart. I took a deep breath to steady myself, then opened the photo.

In that instant, my entire world collapsed. In the photo, the 13 people Joshua had sworn to punish were driving luxury cars or had women on their arms. Their lives were even more glamorous than three years ago.

The phone slipped from my hand and hit the floor with a thud, but I barely heard it. Only one thought remained in my mind—if they were never punished, what was the point of my three agonizing years of abuse in prison?

Back then, Joshua was convinced that I had hired those thugs to hurt Madeline. He refused to search for them publicly for the sake of the Caldwell family's reputation unless I apologized to her. I kneeled on the floor and begged her repeatedly.

Madeline leaned into Joshua's arms. "But I'm scared whenever I see Victoria now. What should I do?"

Joshua looked down at me. "Victoria, go spend three years in prison. Come back when Maddie isn't afraid of you anymore."

Tears covered my face as I said, "Then swear that you'll make those 13 men pay a heavy price."

I had traded my life for a single promise from Joshua. But now?

I spun around and rushed over, grabbing Joshua by the collar. When I spoke, I realized that my voice was shaking violently. "Why are those 13 men still living perfectly fine?"

Joshua's pupils shrank. The next moment, he shook my hand off without hesitation. "Maddie is the victim, and even she has forgiven them. Why are you still holding onto this?"

I gripped his collar harder, my knuckles turning pale with strain. "She's the victim? If she's the victim, then what am I?"

Joshua frowned with impatience. "You're the one who hired them to hurt Madeline. That was your punishment for what you did. Besides, I've already made them apologize to her."

Apologize? The moment I heard that word, a loud ringing filled my ears.

That night resurfaced in my memory with agonizing clarity. I remembered the dim lights and the crushing weight pressing down on me. All night long, those men groped me and hurled insults at me relentlessly. I was in so much pain that I lost consciousness and couldn't even stand the next day.

I once thought that was the most painful moment of my life, but it was nothing compared to this moment.

I looked at the brother I had once trusted and relied on without hesitation. My words came out slowly, as though they were forced through clenched teeth. "They ruined me. You gave me your word. How could you break your promise? I'm your sister—"

Madeline walked over and interrupted me. "Victoria, my parents always used to say that we should forgive whenever possible. I've already forgiven you, so stop fussing over such a small matter."

Joshua looked at Madeline with pride. "Do you see that? Even as an orphan, Maddie is so reasonable. You're not even as sensible as she is."

Madeline smiled softly. She leaned in close and lowered her voice. "The guys asked me to pass along a message. They said it's been three years and they've missed you. They didn't have enough fun with you last time, so when they see you again, they'll make sure you're satisfied."

The last thread of my sanity snapped completely. I used all my strength and slapped her hard across the face.

I roared as if I had lost my mind, "So it really was you! Why? No matter how much I disliked you, I never thought of hurting you. Why would you—"

Before I could finish speaking, a much heavier blow landed on my face. The immense force knocked me straight to the floor. My ears buzzed, and my vision went dark.

Joshua stood before me with a grim expression. "Those hundred slaps back then still didn't teach you a lesson, did they?"

His voice was ice cold. "You actually had the nerve to bully Maddie right in front of me. No wonder you're so vicious that you could do something so subhuman. It's a good thing that your plan backfired on you. Otherwise, even killing you wouldn't be enough to make amends to Maddie."

I clutched my face, my eyes bloodshot. The hatred in my heart nearly swallowed my reason. "I hate you! If I could, I would kill both of you."

Joshua fell silent for a few seconds, as though he had finally made up his mind. "Vicky, I've clearly spoiled you too much. That's why I let you spend those three years in prison so comfortably, yet you're still just as unrepentant as ever."

He pulled out his phone and tapped the screen, his voice firm and cold. "This is the last lesson I'll teach you—people who do wrong must pay the price for their actions."