Chapter 2

Craig took one look at Karina's red-rimmed eyes and ultimately didn't dare to ask anything more.

He quickly organized the documents and said politely, "We will expedite the paperwork and inform you immediately of the departure time to the island."

Karina signed the papers without hesitation and took out a black card from her wallet. Her hand was steady as she swiped the card, not a single tremor to be seen.

By the time she returned home, it was already completely dark.

As she opened the door, the warm yellow light from the living room spilled out, illuminating the cozy scene on the couch.

Nicholas was peeling an apple for Rowena, his slender fingers holding the knife with an elegance that made the gesture look like sculpting art. Clarence, Irving, and Luther sat gathered around the couch as well.

Irving held out a spoonful of medicine, saying softly, "Rowena, it's time to take your medicine."

"It's too bitter." Rowena wrinkled her nose, pouting. "I want candy."

Luther immediately took out a piece of toffee from his pocket. "This was your favorite since you were little, so I'd always keep some with me."

Karina stood frozen at the entrance, her nails digging deep into her palms.

"Karina?" Nicholas was the first to notice her. He set down the knife and walked over. "Where have you been all day?"”

His voice was still gentle, as if the man who had held Rowena in a deep kiss outside the city hall that afternoon wasn't him.

Karina didn't answer, her gaze passing over him to rest on Rowena.

Nicholas followed her line of sight and explained matter-of-factly, "Rowena has returned home with a terminal illness. Her final wish is for us to accompany her through her last days."

After a pause, he continued, "Though running away from the wedding was wrong, considering she is your sister and out of respect for you—"

"Out of respect for me?" Karina suddenly laughed. "Or because you've never been able to forget her?"

Nicholas frowned slightly. "Karina…"

"Karina," Clarence called as he walked over, instinctively reaching to ruffle her hair. But his hand froze midair before patting her shoulder instead. "Rowena doesn't have much time left, and it's not like we can't afford to take care of her."

"That's right," Irving chimed in. "Even though she was mischievous as a kid, she's already suffered enough hardship outside and has learned her lesson. We're still family."

Luther approached, adding pressure. "Karina, you've always been the understanding one, haven't you?"

As she listened to their back-and-forth, her heart ached until it felt almost numb.

Finally, she nodded softly. "Alright."

The four men collectively sighed in relief, their faces lighting up with approval.

"You stay here and keep Rowena company for now," Nicholas said gently. "We'll go and prepare a room for her."

Only after the sound of their footsteps faded upstairs did Rowena slowly walk over. Her face was pale, but it couldn't hide the gleam of triumph in her eyes.

"Karina, we haven't seen each other in five years. I've brought you a gift."

Karina instinctively took a step back.

Ever since they were kids, Rowena's gifts had ranged from dolls with hidden needles to cakes laced with laxatives.

"Don't worry." Rowena smiled, looking as innocent as could be. "I won't hurt you the way I did five years ago."

With that, she forcefully pushed the gift box into Karina's arms and even helpfully lifted the lid for her.

Karina screamed.

A pitch-black venomous snake sprang out and sunk its fangs deep into Karina's wrist. Sharp pain instantly tore through her arm, and Karina instinctively flung the box away, only to have it strike Rowena squarely on the shoulder.

Seizing the moment, Rowena collapsed to the floor, letting out a piercing cry.

"What happened?"

When the four men rushed downstairs, they froze at the sight.

Rowena lay on the floor, tears streaming down her face, while Karina stood pale-faced, clutching her bleeding wrist.

Nicholas was the first to charge over. He pushed Karina aside and asked, "What did you do?"

Karina stumbled backward and slammed into the coffee table, searing pain shooting through her lower back.

"Rowena kindly gave you a gift, and this is how you treat her?" Clarence said coldly as he helped Rowena up.

"It was a snake," Karina gasped through the pain, cold sweat beading on her forehead. "She let a venomous snake bite me."

"Nonsense!" Luther snapped. "Rowena can barely walk right now. How could she possibly find a venomous snake to harm you?"

Rowena wept pitifully. "I just wanted to give a gift and make peace with Karina. I never imagined she'd hold such a grudge against me and slander me like this."

Karina hadn't expected that after five years, Rowena's acting skills would still be this flawless. Overwhelmed with injustice, she tried desperately to steady herself and reached for the gift box.

"I'm not lying. If you don't believe me, look—"

"Enough!" Nicholas grabbed her wrist, causing the snakebite wound to bleed profusely. "She's your sister, and she's sick. How could you be so vicious?"

Irving had already lifted Rowena in his arms. "Let's get to the hospital first. Rowena can't handle any more stress."

The four of them hurried out without a single glance back at Karina.

"It really was a venomous snake."

Karina knelt on the floor as the venom began to spread, her vision gradually blurring.

She saw Molly Meyer, the maid, rushing over in panic and heard her terrified cries, but Karina's consciousness was already fading away.

"Ms. Karina! Ms. Karina!" Molly knelt beside her, trembling as she patted Karina's face. "Wake up, please!"

Karina was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance. But as soon as she was wheeled into the emergency room, the doctor was urgently called away.

"I'm sorry, but all our doctors have been assigned to the VIP ward," the nurse explained apologetically. "Ms. Rowena's condition has suddenly worsened, and strict orders have come down that all doctors today are to attend only to her. You should try another hospital."

"That's not possible. Ms. Karina won't make it. If we transfer her now, she'll die for sure," Molly said urgently in a voice choked with emotion.

As she lay on the hospital bed, Karina could feel her consciousness flickering in and out. The intense pain had her drenched in cold sweat, but the ache in her heart was even more unbearable.

With the last of her strength, she pulled out her phone and dialed Nicholas' number.

The phone rang for a long time before it was finally answered.

"Nicholas," she whispered, her voice barely a breath. "I was bitten by a venomous snake. Could you send a doctor?"

"Karina!" Nicholas' voice was as cold as ice. "Because of that shove, Rowena's condition has worsened! She has cancer! How can you be so vicious? Even at a time like this, you're still pretending?"

"No, I really—"

The call ended abruptly.

Karina clutched the phone as tears streamed down her face. Wracked with pain, she curled into herself, her consciousness growing hazier.

"Ms. Karina! Ms. Karina!" Molly cried, shaking her desperately. "Don't fall asleep! Please, don't fall asleep!"

But Karina could no longer hold on. It simply hurt too much, and she was unbearably exhausted.

Slowly, her eyes closed.