Chapter 6

Julia straightened up in satisfaction and patted Daisy on the shoulder. "I hope you recover soon. I should head back now. Dario's waiting for me."

She turned around to leave, but she suddenly clutched her stomach and looked back at Daisy. Her voice started trembling. "Daisy, I came to visit you out of kindness. Why would you push me–"

The door burst open. Dario strode in and immediately wrapped an arm around Julia. "What happened?"

Julia leaned against him. Her voice came out weak. "Dario, Daisy didn't mean to push me. She's probably just jealous because I'm carrying your child."

She lifted her head, and her gaze swept past Daisy. She smiled a little.

Daisy froze.

Dario followed Julia's line of sight toward Daisy. His gaze instantly turned cold.

Without saying another word, he scooped Julia into his arms and walked out.

The door slammed shut behind them.

Daisy stared at the closed door for a long time. She then picked up the bouquet of lilies and threw them into the trash before pulling the blanket over herself and curling up.

The next morning, the ward door opened again.

Dario walked in with Julia behind him.

He stopped beside Daisy's bed. "Julia had complications with her pregnancy last night. The doctor said pregnant women shouldn't be stressed. Apologize to her, and we'll let this go."

Leaning against the headboard, Daisy remained silent.

Dario frowned slightly. "It's only an apology."

Daisy lowered her gaze. "I didn't push her."

The ward fell silent for a moment.

Dario crouched down and brushed the loose hair away from her forehead. His thumb grazed her cheek.

"Daisy, be good. As long as you apologize, I'll take you home."

Julia spoke softly behind him. "Forget it. I don't blame her."

Dario smiled. "See? Julia's already defending you."

Daisy clenched her fists tighter but said nothing.

Dario's expression darkened instantly. He stood up and took a step back. "Daisy, kneel and apologize to Julia right now, and I'll bring you home."

Daisy didn't move.

Dario sighed. "When you do something wrong, you admit it. Now kneel and apologize to Julia."

Seeing that she still refused to move, his voice grew deeper. "Daisy, if you keep refusing to listen, then this won't end with just an apology."

Slowly, Daisy lifted her head.

She looked out the window. There was a hint of sarcasm in her eyes that nobody noticed.

She pulled back the blanket, stepped barefoot onto the cold floor, and kneeled.

Julia looked down at her before bending over to help her up. Her tone was gentle. "Please get up. I don't blame you."

Dario walked over, helped Julia to her feet, and pulled her into his arms.

He then looked down at Daisy and pulled her off the ground. He wiped away the tears on her face with his thumb. "Alright. It's only an apology. If you do something wrong, you should accept punishment for it. Don't ever bully Julia again. Stop crying. It's over now."

Daisy lowered her head. Her body was trembling all over.

Julia rested against Dario's chest and looked at Daisy. "Oh, right. Daisy, we're having a party at the manor tomorrow night. You should come too."

Daisy's voice was hoarse. "I'm not going."

Julia snuggled closer against Dario and called out softly, "Dario."

Dario said flatly, "Come. Do it for Julia."

Julia smiled as she looped her arm around his. "Then it's settled. We'll come pick you up tomorrow."

Dario guided Julia to the door. "Dress nicely tomorrow. Don't embarrass the Verdant family."

The door closed behind them.

Daisy stood still. Her knees throbbed with pain.

Slowly, she walked back to the bed, lay down, and closed her eyes.

The following afternoon, at Verdant Manor, Julia walked ahead with her arm linked through Dario's.

Daisy followed behind them.

The moment Daisy stepped into the living room, her phone vibrated.

It was Caleb.

She stepped into a side lounge and answered the call.

Caleb's deep voice came through. "Daisy, are you ready? I'm sneaking you out tonight."

Daisy tightened her grip on the phone. Tension crept into her voice. "There's a party at the manor tonight. There are people everywhere. I can't get out."

"I received an invitation too," Caleb replied. "You'll leave with me. I've already arranged for someone to disguise themselves as you and leave through the southern gate to draw attention away. You'll follow me down the staircase on the east side."

Daisy took a deep breath. "Okay."

The call ended.

She stood in the side lounge with her phone in her hand. Her chest rose and fell unevenly, and her palms were sweaty.

By evening, the manor had become brightly lit.

The living room buzzed with conversation.

Members of powerful families moved through the crowd with glasses of champagne in hand.

Daisy, who had on a light blue gown, stood in a corner. She was holding a glass of champagne while searching the crowd for Caleb.

"Well, if it isn't Daisy." She heard a shrill voice nearby.

When Daisy turned around, she saw several women walking toward her.

Daisy recognized the one who spoke. She was Julia's best friend, Sophia Romano.

Sophia held a wine glass as she looked Daisy up and down. "I heard you were hospitalized. Did someone beat you up, or were you trying to kill yourself?"

The women beside her covered their mouths and giggled.

Daisy said nothing and tried to move away.

Sophia stepped directly in front of her. "Don't leave yet. Let's chat."

She lowered her voice just enough for the surrounding guests to hear. "I heard you kneeled and apologized. Seriously, why would you pick a fight with Julia?"

Daisy tightened her grip around the champagne glass.

Sophia laughed even harder and patted her shoulder loudly. "Alright, alright, I'll stop. Anyway, you're only holding onto the title of Donna Verdant."

The women around them burst into laughter.