Chapter 3

My body froze at those words. Even if I survived, I would surely be severely disabled.

“Why? Are you scared, Amora?” Lidia asked with a condescending laugh.

I held my ground, even though I was actually afraid. Given what she’d already done to me, I was sure she was capable of anything. And pushing me off this floor… she would definitely do it.

“No! Because I won’t die. Even if I die, I’ll come back! I’ll make you suffer. I’ll make you forget that I’m Amora—the one who can do anything!”

David and Lidia burst out laughing, as if what I’d said was nothing but a joke.

Then they exchanged glances, as if signaling each other.

After that, David came closer and pulled my hand forcefully toward the window. I tried to hold on, but his pull was so strong that we ended up outside—on the balcony. The place I’d once built to gaze at the view when I felt exhausted from all the work.

And this, my most comfortable place, would bear witness to how my husband and his mistress would kill me.

“Don’t you want to say your last words before leaving this world, Amora?” Lidia said mockingly.

“Even if I die from falling off this balcony, your lives won’t be happy! I’ll come back and take it all! I’ll come and destroy you with my own hands—remember that!” I said confidently.

“David, she’s all talk! Just push her off already so she’ll die quickly!” Lidia shouted.

I stood motionless, my body already shaking violently. The night breeze swept across my face. I could only pray that I’d be able to return to destroy them if I truly had to die in such a tragic way. If not, I hoped someone would see this and report it to the police. I’d rather have all my wealth distributed to the poor or donated to a charity than have them enjoy it.

David smiled at me, but that smile felt so repulsive. If I would have been charmed by that smile in the past, I certainly wouldn’t be now. I was utterly disgusted.

“Thank you, Amora. I’ll always remember your kindness. I hope you’re reunited with your parents in the afterlife. And tell them, thank you for giving birth to such a stupid child, and thank you for all her wealth.”

I clenched my fists tightly; my parents would surely be furious if they knew their daughter was being treated this way. 

“Don’t be angry, Amora, because this is your destiny,” he said again, stroking my cheek. 

I felt sick to my stomach; I was even disgusted when his hand touched my cheek. “Get your filthy hands off my cheek, you bastard!” I snapped immediately.

“David, she’s talking too much! Just push her!” Lidia said as she immediately shoved my body.

Instantly, my body was flung off the upper floor. It seemed impossible that I could survive.

I closed my eyes, feeling my body fall faster and faster… until suddenly my body slammed into the ground floor, producing a loud thud.

I coughed up blood. Blood also gushed from my head, which had struck the stone. Still, I tried to open my eyes.

I gazed at the company my parents had built with such great effort.

“Dad and Mom built this company for Amora’s future. Amora, even though you’re a girl, you have to be strong and able to stand on your own two feet when we’re gone, okay… We love you, Amora.”

Tears welled up in my eyes as I recalled those words. I remembered how they had abandoned me back then, and how I’d kept this company afloat so it wouldn’t falter and fall into the hands of those who coveted it. But I destroyed it all because I fell in love with a man who has now killed me and taken everything. 

“Dad… Mom… forgive me,” I whispered softly, then closed my eyes as everything went dark, and I stopped breathing.

****

Beep... beep... beep... beep...

Everything felt dark. I didn’t know where I was, but I could hear that sound faintly in my ear. I had a feeling I might be in a hospital right now. Yes, it sounded like the monitor in a hospital.

Am I still alive? Did I not die when I fell from the top floor?

I’d be grateful if that were the case, because I’d make David and Lidia pay for everything they’ve done.

I tried to open my eyes slowly, searching for a glimmer of light in the darkness.

And I succeeded. I opened my eyes, my breath coming in gasps as if I’d just escaped from a lion’s clutches.

I saw an all-white room. The smell of medicine and antiseptics stung my nose. I was in the hospital. I was still alive.

“Thank you, God,” I said silently.

But I couldn’t move my body yet. Why was this happening? Was I paralyzed? Were my legs broken? Were my arms broken?

I tried to make a sound, but before I could speak, the door opened.

I hoped it wasn’t David or Lidia.

“Are you awake?” a nurse who had just entered asked me.

“You’ve been asleep in this room for a week,” she said, checking the monitor to make sure I was okay.

“Don’t talk yet—you’re still recovering,” she added as I tried to speak.

I’ve been here a week? Did I just come out of a coma?

“I’ll go get the doctor and your family first,” she said, then walked away.

Family? Who’s my family? I don’t have anyone left. Is that David? Why did he still bring me to the hospital? Shouldn’t he have just let me die?

Then the door burst open. I saw people come in with faces I didn’t recognize at all.

“Bella, are you awake, sweetheart?”

Bella? Who’s Bella? I’m Amora! And… who are they?