Chapter 3

Sean raised his voice. "Ophelia! Mom died because of you, and now you're even cursing Lexi to die? You're heartless. How could you be this vicious?"

He usually seemed calm, but the moment Alexia was involved, all restraint vanished. He'd hit me with full force. For a moment, the world went dark, and I reeled, barely able to stay upright.

The taste of blood filled my mouth. I swallowed hard, forcing it down, until my vision slowly cleared again.

Lexi.

Ophelia.

Her name was always said with warmth.

Mine was spoken flat, without feeling.

Why was I even struggling?

I let out a bitter laugh and watched Alexia run toward me, tears streaming down her face.

"Sean, don't hit her," she said, feigning concern as she brushed a hand across my cheek. "Does it hurt? Ophie, I never meant to come between you and Marcus. If you don't want him to go with me, he won't. Don't get mad…"

She spoke sweetly, but her hand pressed hard against my swollen cheek, her eyes shining with clear satisfaction.

The pain drove me to shove her away. I hadn't even used much force, yet she suddenly staggered backward and fell hard.

Sean and Marcus cried out at the same time and rushed forward. The shards of porcelain on the floor sliced into her calf.

Dad stormed over, fury etched across his face. "You ungrateful brat! I don't know what I did to deserve a daughter like you! It's because we've been too soft on you that you've gotten completely out of control, even going so far as to hurt your own sister!"

Marcus looked at me with disappointment and called his private doctor immediately.

Sean chimed in, backing Dad up. "Dad, Ophelia has gone too far. If we don't punish her, she'll never learn!"

Then he added, "The doctor's here. Marcus, take Lexi out and make sure that cut doesn't get infected."

Marcus nodded, scooped Alexia into his arms, and left without so much as a glance at me.

Dad glared at me one last time before following them. As Sean reached the door, he suddenly turned and called for a few servers.

"Extend our reservation for another day. After we leave, lock the doors. Don't worry about her."

The servers exchanged uneasy glances. "Sir… what if something happens?"

Sean snapped impatiently, "Nothing's going to happen! Unlock the doors tomorrow morning. She needs to learn a lesson tonight. I'll pay double, so don't bother about anything else."

Left with no choice, the servers complied.

The heavy doors of the banquet hall shut with a dull, final thud.

Dragging my aching body, I staggered to the door, just in time to hear Sean's cold voice. "Stay put and think about what you've done. When you've learned your lesson, we'll let you out."

"No…"

The word barely made it past my throat. I couldn't force out anything more.

The allergic reaction spread through me, making my body swell. The cancer spread unchecked. It felt like thousands of ants crawling beneath my skin.

Suffocation… Pain… Relentless itching and numbness…

I regretted everything.

My deepest regret was ever becoming part of this family.

My senses slowly faded, one by one, until the last tear slid down my cheek.

I didn't know how much time had passed before my eyes finally closed.