Chapter 4

The entire thing felt so absurd I almost wanted to laugh.

Mother came over and took my hand. "Hurry up and thank your sister. She'd do anything for you."

Father added, "Julianne has always been sensible and obedient. Remember, you're the one who owes her. Once you move in, you'd better behave."

My fingers tightened, and I let out a sudden, bitter laugh.

I hadn't even realized my eyes had turned red. I turned to leave, but Adrian caught hold of me.

"Where are you going?"

"Don't touch me!" I finally lost control and raised my voice.

Everyone froze at the sound.

Julianne bit her lip as though she'd suffered a terrible injustice. "Maddie, are you misunderstanding me? Everything I've done has been for you.

"I'm only afraid you'll be kidnapped again."

She reached for me, and I shoved her away.

I hadn't used much force, yet Julianne fell to the floor.

"They wanted you back then, not me!" I shouted at her.

Mother immediately rushed to help her. "Maddie, you're an ungrateful brat!"

Father snapped, "The Conti family didn't raise a daughter like you! We should've let those kidnappers kill you!"

I stared at them quietly as my emotions gradually settled.

"When did any of you ever try to save me? Don't perform this 'for your own good' routine again."

Adrian's gaze turned cold.

"Madeline Conti!

"Are you really going to behave like this?

"Why can't you appreciate what people do for you?"

Julianne had hurt her ankle in the fall and couldn't stand. Adrian hurriedly lifted her into his arms while she sobbed against his chest.

"Don't blame Maddie. This is all my fault."

Mother urged them to get Julianne to a hospital.

Adrian suppressed his anger. "Apologize to Jules."

I turned my face away.

"Fine. Don't regret this. We're leaving." Adrian carried Julianne to the car at once, with my parents following behind.

Not one of them looked back.

They simply abandoned me in the countryside.

Before they left, I heard Adrian say, "She'll call me when she realizes she was wrong."

Their car disappeared down the road.

I remained outside the house as cold wind slipped down my collar. Shivering, I crouched on the ground in pain.

Darkness fell quickly, followed by a light rain. My phone had no signal, so I started walking toward the city.

Tears blurred my vision until I could barely see the road.

I forced myself onward despite the ache in my ankles.

Strange birdcalls echoed around me, and I hugged my arms in fear.

I had no idea how long I'd walked when my phone finally lit up.

I had a faint signal at last.

I immediately made a call.

Before long, I heard a helicopter overhead.

The moment I saw it, my body finally gave out, and I lost consciousness.

I knew then that no one would ever take my place again.