Chapter 1

My body was covered in multiple wounds of all sizes, but my legs were the most banged up. The pain was so intense I almost lost all feeling in them.

Saying just two short sentences to Fiona Sullivan, my biological older sister, had been enough for me to taste blood at the back of my throat.

Fiona's expression turned into a scowl. "It's been three years! Why are you still acting so stubborn? Are your injuries not bad enough for you to learn your lesson?"

When I tried to fire back at her, the movement pulled at my wounds, and I gasped in pain. The two bodyguards carrying my stretcher immediately started to move, but Fiona blocked them.

"Caleb Sullivan! Is it so freaking hard for you to just apologize?"

The sudden halt sent a searing pain up my right leg. Gritting my teeth, I growled, "Why should I apologize when I did nothing wrong?"

Zach Sullivan, who was standing beside Fiona, grabbed her arm and gently tried to reason with her.

"Let's just drop it, Fi. I'm fine now, aren't I? I've moved on from it long ago…"

"Why are you still trying to put in a good word for him?" Fiona chided in exasperation. "You wouldn't have suffered from a heart condition that took you three years to recover from if he hadn't punched you back then! You've only recently gotten better!"

She shot me another furious glare. "Considering your injuries, it's obvious you got into trouble over there, and someone beat you up. Even after all that, you still refuse to admit your own wrongdoing, huh? I guess I went too easy on you by simply shipping you off to the slums!"

Ashberia was a conflict-ridden country, and strife was especially prevalent in the impoverished neighborhoods. No one in their right mind would willingly stay there.

Naturally, Fiona assumed that I got my injuries because someone had given me a good beating.

However, she was wrong.

I'd been hit by artillery fire after throwing myself over two young boys to protect them. Not only had I injured my leg, but I'd also lost my hearing in one ear.

Eyeing her mockingly, I replied, "That's right. You should've just killed me back then. I will never apologize, not even on my deathbed."

Fiona's expression darkened as she furrowed her brows in displeasure. She looked as though she wanted nothing more than to march over and slap me in the face.

Just then, the airport staff called out her and Zach's names, urging them to board their flight.

The bodyguards carrying me were getting impatient too. Their expressions were grim as they started to take me away again.

Zach tugged on Fiona's sleeve. "We need to go, Fi, or we'll miss our flight."

His face was a little pale, and his voice was hoarse.

Fiona always felt bad for him when she saw him like that. Her tone softened at once. "Okay."

But when she turned to me, her expression turned icy again. "Just you wait. Once I get back from my trip with Zach, I'll settle the score with you!"

Soon, their figures disappeared into the crowd.

The two foreign bodyguards rushed out with my stretcher and took me to the hospital. Three doctors examined me in quick succession, their expressions grave.

The only local doctor among them said to me in a solemn voice, "Rest assured, Mr. Sullivan. You came back in the nick of time. We can still save your leg.

"Ms. Murray has instructed us to do everything we can to treat you. We'll take you into surgery immediately!"

He was talking about my new sister, Alice Murray. Just hearing her name put me at ease. I nodded weakly, and the medical team wheeled me straight into the operating room.

The three doctors gathered around me and administered anesthesia. As my consciousness gradually faded, I slowly closed my eyes.

But just then, I heard a voice I knew all too well.

"Where are all the doctors? My brother is having a heart attack! Get me the best doctors you have here, now!"