Chapter 2

Both Keith and John let out a huge sigh of relief after hearing what Vanessa said.

After the video call ended, they finally reached out to help me up. "Willow, does it hurt? We're really sorry. It's just… Vanessa said that if we didn't finish the dare, she would refuse to eat. Her health's already bad, and if she skips meals again, it could get worse. So… we had to do this to you."

When they noticed I was staying silent for too long, they finally panicked and hurried to take me to the hospital.

"Crap, we really went too hard. Come on, let's take you to the hospital," they said.

At that very moment, Vanessa called again. Her voice came through all soft and fragile. "Keith, John, I haven't eaten all day. My blood sugar is so low that I can't even walk. Can you come to the garden and carry me back to my room?"

Their expressions changed immediately. Without another word, they hung up and ran toward the garden, totally forgetting they had just promised to take me to the hospital.

I watched them go, then let out a cold and bitter laugh. This wasn't the first time something like this had happened, but I didn't care anymore.

…

The following day at breakfast, Vanessa was once again the center of attention.

When she saw the swelling on my face, she gave me a fake little frown like she was sorry. "Oh no, your face is still swollen? I'm sorry, Willow. What happened yesterday was just supposed to be a silly game. I didn't think they would actually slap you."

Keith and John saw the swelling on my face as well. But, they didn't seem bothered in the slightest.

Instead, they smiled and reassured Vanessa, "It was just a slap. It's not like it broke a bone. Vanessa, you're just too kind."

I kept my head down and finished my food without saying a word.

After breakfast, John and Keith headed out, leaving just me and Vanessa at the table.

The sweet and innocent act she put on in front of everyone was gone in that instant. She looked sharp and smug as she said, "Haven't you figured it out, Willow? They stopped caring about you a long time ago. So what if you're the real heiress of the Quinn family? You still got slapped, didn't you?

"You've got no clue how much Keith and John care about me. All I have to do is say I don't feel like eating, and they will drop everything just to have me eat."

At first, her gloating used to get to me. But it happened so often that now, I have just grown immune to it.

"Well, they're nothing but scum. If you're into that, go ahead." I gave her a deadpan look.

Vanessa froze, clearly not expecting me to talk back. She was probably too used to me keeping quiet. Without a word, she set down her utensils and suddenly collapsed to the floor.

Keith and John came running the second they heard the noise.

Before I could even react, Vanessa was already covering her face and choking up. "I just wanted to check on her face, and she slapped me out of nowhere… said it was payback."

John stared at me in disbelief, and his eyes were blazing. Keith also looked like he was ready to explode. "Don't think you can push Vanessa around just because you're the heiress of this family. One day, she'll take your place and marry that man in coma, you'll owe her big time."

I didn't say a word. Just turn around and walk off, leaving them yelling behind me.

...

Later, I made a trip out to Viana Hills, where a mountain chapel stands. It's often said that the prayers there never go unanswered. I wanted to light a candle and say a prayer, asking the universe to bless my future husband and help him wake up soon.

But of course, I just had to run into the last people I wanted to see.

Not far away, I spotted John and Keith taking turns carrying Vanessa up the mountain. They were drenched in sweat, yet they looked like they were actually enjoying themselves.

When they saw me, they froze for a second.

Vanessa frowned, clearly annoyed. "Willow, did you know we were coming and decided to tag along just to follow us?"

I kept my tone flat as I said, "I'm not the least bit interested in whatever you all are doing."