Chapter 2

Seraphina POV

Macro's thumb traced along my lips as he leaned in, his warm breath brushing my face.

If I hadn't just overheard that call, I would have thrown myself into his arms, completely lost to his touch.

But now... all I felt was deep disgust.

"Get lost," I said, my voice ice.

I returned home and told my father and Karen, "I'm willing to give up my engagement to Marco. Karen can have him."

They exchanged a glance,and a smirk crept onto their somber faces.

My father sneered, "Looks like Macro's discipline worked after all."

I kept my expression neutral. "Give me Two billion."

My father's smile froze.

"Are you insane? You want me to go bankrupt?"

A faint smile touched my lips.

"Two billion to get the chance to marry Marco. You'll make that back a hundred times over from his casinos, his illicit trades, and all the businesses you can't touch. Two billion is nothing. But if you don't want to, then forget it."

Karen timidly tugged at his sleeve, her eyes watering.

"Father, just ignore her. She's only trying to cause trouble.."

My father's face twisted with reluctance, but he finally clenched his jaw and agreed, cursing under his breath.

"You were raised for nothing! Ungrateful little brat... Karen's far more sensible."

Before he could finish, a heavy glass ashtray flew at my head.

I instinctively raised my arm, the impact jarring my bones.

The ashtray curved through the air and hit Karen's forehead with a sickening thud. Blood ran down her face.

She screamed. My father roared behind me, "Look what you've done!"

Without looking back, I walked out of the study, pulled out my phone, and booked a flight out of the country in two weeks.

My home had become a place not worth staying in.

I looked around the room, remembering when Karen first arrived. I had felt so much pity for her, sharing all my favorite things.

But her return gift?

She shattered my father's most cherished possession, his horse racing trophy, the symbol of his pride, and pinned the blame on me.

She smashed my mother's beloved jewels and hid the fragments under my pillow, ensuring I would be the one to pay.

She even threw herself down the stairs, not once, and whispering that I was the one who pushed her.

Time and again, I tried to defend myself. But my parents refused to listen.

In their eyes, I was the jealous, spoiled child. Only Karen was their pure, innocent daughter.

Just as I reached the door, Macro came in. He froze when he saw me.

Karen rushed from behind and threw herself into Macro's arms, crying.

Macro's gaze darkened.

"What did you do to Karen?" he asked, blocking my way.

"You saw it yourself," I pushed past him, my heart filled with disgust.

I finally understood why he always took Karen's side.

As I walked out into the courtyard, someone struck me from behind.

My vision went black...

I woke up to the sound of the wind, every muscle in my body tense.

I opened my eyes and found myself on a narrow platform, hanging forty stories above the ground on the side of Macro's office building.

My vertigo hit me instantly, and I froze, unable to move. My heart hammered against my ribs. I tried to scream, but only a choked gasp escaped my lips.

Then I heard Karen's voice from an open window.

"Macro said if he doesn't discipline you, you'll never become a lady."

"This is a lesson for you. Let's see if you'll dare to cross me again."

She laughed and walked away.

My fingers trembled as I repeatedly called Macro's number, but he never answered.

Instead, a few photos from Karen popped up in my chat.

They showed Macro carefully cleaning her wound and putting a bandage on it.

It was just a small cut, but his eyes were filled with deep affection.

My chest ached as if a giant hand was tearing it apart.

Macro knows I have a fear of heights. He wouldn't do this to me. He wouldn't...

I tried to convince myself. But the self-deception was too weak.

I had thought his care was all mine. But compared to what he showed Karen, it was nothing.

He didn't even ask for my side of the story.

Based on Karen's word alone, he had hung me on the side of a forty-story building just as punishment for her.

My breath became more and more difficult. The wind cut through me, making my body shiver, but my heart was colder than ever.

Finally, as I began to lose consciousness, the platform was slowly pulled back.

Through my blurred vision, I saw Macro.

He scooped me into his arms. I struggled with every ounce of strength I had.

Disgust.

Resistance.

He held me tightly and whispered in a low voice.

"It's fine. I've got you."