Chapter 2

After every transfusion for Stella, Holly needed several days to regain her energy. This time, it was no different.

For the next few days, the Websters stayed at the hospital to take care of Stella, leaving Holly alone at home.

As Holly stepped out of her room with her mug, a box came flying toward her, striking her and leaving her seeing stars. She couldn't even see who it was.

The pain felt all too familiar. She didn't even need to think. Obviously, the newcomer was her dear mother, Mary.

"Holly Webster, what the heck are you doing? Why didn't you read our texts? Are you doing this on purpose? Ignoring us to make Stella mad? You ungrateful girl! We raised you in vain!"

As Mary hurled out insults, Holly wiped the blood from her forehead, took out her phone, and opened her chat app.

Only then did she notice the texts they had sent in the group chat early that morning. Apparently, Stella was getting discharged today, so they wanted her to make Stella's favorite chocolate cake to welcome her back.

Yet, Holly had just donated her blood. She barely had the strength to stand, let alone make a cake that took so much time and effort. Besides, she had been groggy all morning and hadn't even had a chance to read her texts.

Holly was about to explain when she spotted Oscar and Colin helping Stella into the living room carefully. They fussed over her endlessly, propping up cushions so she could sit comfortably and handing her a cup of water at just the right temperature, treating her like a princess.

Colin gave Holly a cold glance, his once gentle gaze instantly turning sharp and merciless.

"You really expect her to make a cake for Stella? Dream on. She just lazes around at home all day, clueless about the world, with no real hobbies. All she does is scribble some worthless drawings. How could she compare to Stella?"

Since the day Holly was born into this family, every year, she had spent half of it donating blood to Stella, and the rest was just for resting at home.

Hobbies? When would she even have the time for that, unlike Stella?

Those "worthless drawings" Colin mocked were the only dreams she had in her barren life, yet he reduced them to nothing.

She had heard these words countless times, yet each time, they stabbed at her heart with the same sharp pain.

Oscar cast Holly a sideways glance, then smoothed things over for her as he always did.

"Holly, are you too tired from donating blood yesterday? Do you feel unwell?"

In the past, it would have moved her deeply if he had spoken up for her like this. At least someone cared about her well-being.

Yet, reborn and knowing the whole truth, all she felt was bitter irony. The only reason he spoke up for her was to pretend he cared.

And because she loved him, he could deceive her effortlessly, trapping her in a love she couldn't escape.

This time, Holly refused to fall for his lies.

Hearing Oscar's words, Stella immediately pretended to be considerate and said, "It's fine. I don't need a cake. Holly should get some rest."

Colin gave Holly a disgusted look, obviously displeased with her attitude.

He snapped, "Stella, stop defending her! Whatever she does for you is her duty. After all, she only gets to exist in this world because of you. You're just too kind. Her life only means something when you're happy, get it?"

Those blunt words made Holly's heart shudder violently. For a moment, it felt as if countless sharp needles were stabbing mercilessly into her chest.

The blood running through her veins was the same as theirs. She was a human being with emotions and could feel pain as well.

Alas, no one cared. No one ever did.

At the dining table, everyone doted on Stella. Frank and Mary kept piling food onto her plate, and Colin even went so far as to carefully remove every fishbone before serving the fish to her.

They had prepared all of Stella's favorite food.

Holly kept her head down and ate her food quietly, only to find a piece of squid suddenly added to her plate.

She lifted her head to glance at Oscar beside her, then at the squid on her plate. A bitter smile curled her lips.

It was impressive that he still remembered to put on a show of caring for her, but if he truly loved her, how could he not know that squid was Stella's favorite while she was allergic to seafood?

There was plenty of evidence that Oscar didn't love her, but she only realized it now because she clung to every trace of warmth he showed her.

At the end of the meal, Frank and Mary suddenly brought up Oscar and Holly's wedding.

Stella put down her utensils, her eyes welling up with tears. "Dad, Mom, I feel really frail these days. I don't think I can attend Holly and Mr. Moss' wedding. But I really want to witness them getting married. Why don't we postpone the wedding until I feel better?"

Everyone in this family knew Stella's wishes were always granted, so there was no need for her to put on a shy, considerate act to show off how thoughtful she was.

Naturally, Frank, Mary, and Colin agreed readily, but Oscar paused and turned slightly to ask for Holly's permission.

"Is that okay, Holly?"