Chapter 2

As soon as Sterling left, I went to Second District Hospital.

In my recollection, although our family business had faced a crisis that led to my father being hospitalized, not once had any doctor told me my father was in mortal danger. They had only said he needed rest.

Three years ago, I was too naive. I could only panic when faced with the sudden tragedy. But thinking carefully now, everything had happened far too quickly.

I came here to look for Dr. James Lewis, my father's attending physician back then.

"Dr. Lewis, what exactly was the cause of my father's death?" I asked.

Dr. Lewis looked at me with surprise, and he appeared even more puzzled upon hearing my question. "You don't know?"

I shook my head.

"Your father committed suicide. Didn't anyone tell you?"

Dr. Lewis' words struck me like a bolt from the blue, leaving me frozen in place. I opened my mouth, but I could not utter a word.

Dr. Lewis sighed and patted my shoulder. "You still haven't come to terms with it? You need to find a way to accept your loss."

I forced the corners of my mouth into a miserable smile and said goodbye to Dr. Lewis.

On my way home from the hospital, I felt dizzy and disoriented, even bumping into several people along the way.

When my father passed away, it was Sterling who informed me of the news. During that period, I was constantly in the hospital by my father's bedside and ended up losing a significant amount of weight.

Concerned for my well-being, Sterling had volunteered to watch over my father so I could go home and rest for a day. Yet on that very day, I received the devastating news of my father's death.

Sterling had held me as I sobbed uncontrollably, telling me not to go near my father's body. He promised he would always be there for me, and he told me not to be afraid.

It turned out he had embraced me to prevent me from discovering that my father had committed suicide.

Realizing this, I could not help but slap myself hard across the face. What kind of monster had I fallen in love with?!

As I was drowning in regret, I heard a voice I had not heard in a long time.

"Arabella, it's been a while."

Vivienne was confident in my yard, sitting on the swing with a smile as she looked at me.

"How did you get in?" I asked.

I had never liked her, especially after Thaddeus abandoned me for her. I just could not bring myself to smile at her.

Vivienne walked toward me, still smiling. "With the passcode, of course. Sterling's passwords are always so predictable. It's 0717, my birthday."

Hearing this, my heart immediately sank. All of Sterling's passwords were 0717. I had asked him about it before, and he told me it was the day he made his first fortune.

Ridiculous as it sounds, I had even celebrated his success with him on July 17th.

"Do you like this swing? I mentioned to Sterling during one of our conversations that I'd love to have a swing installed in the yard someday. It would be so much fun. I never thought he'd remember."

Vivienne spoke as she walked into the house, making herself completely at home.

"Wow, is this the painting Sterling brought back from Mordin?" she asked excitedly, pointing to the artwork hanging by the second-floor staircase.

Without waiting for my answer, she continued, "I can't believe he actually bought it. Too bad Thaddeus wouldn't let me keep it, or I never would’ve left it with Sterling."

She finished with a conspiratorial wink in my direction.

I followed silently behind her, torturing myself by listening to her words without response.

The carpet was a gift from Vivienne, the painting was one Vivienne loved, and the interior style was Vivienne's choice. Everything in this home had been designed according to Vivienne's preferences.

Foolish me had actually believed Sterling had chosen this house, especially for me. Now, I felt like a visitor with both Vivienne and myself standing here.

Compared to Vivienne, I was far more of a stranger to this house.

"Hey, is this your wedding photo? Your wedding dress is exactly the same as the one I wore for my bridal photoshoot! It seems you really are my substitute," Vivienne remarked with a mocking smile, finally revealing her true colors.

Hearing this, I reached out to grab the wedding photo from her hands. "Give that back!"

"Who do you think you are to speak to me like that?!" Vivienne raised her hand to slap me, but when she heard the roar of an engine downstairs, she twisted her body and leaned backward.

Sterling had returned.

I had merely glanced away for a moment when Vivienne screamed and tumbled down the stairs. She fell uncontrollably from the second floor to the first, crying out in pain.

Sterling heard her and rushed inside, kneeling down to take Vivienne in his arms.

"What have you done?!" Sterling roared, his face ashen with rage. "If anything happens to Vivienne, you're finished! You'll pay for this with your life!"

He shot me a vicious glare before lifting Vivienne and carrying her toward the door.

"My baby, my baby..." Vivienne's voice was weak, and only then did I notice the pool of blood on the floor.

Sterling immediately panicked. "Vivienne, I'm taking you to the hospital right away!"

"Don't blame Bella for this. It wasn't intentional..." she said before losing consciousness.

Sterling did not spare me a single glance as he hurried away.

After they left, I stood alone, staring at the blood on the floor, lost in thought.

Was this karma finally coming back around?