Chapter 3

“What am I saying?” My mother wiped her tears and looked at me with contempt. “Isn’t it obvious? You're jealous of how well Gideon treats Bella, so you deliberately set out to get revenge. But did you ever stop to think that she’s your biological sister?”

My father went along with her. “How could we have a daughter like you? You’re downright vicious!”

Gideon suddenly released his grip. “Lock her in the dungeon. Keep her there until Bella wakes up so she can reflect on her sins.”

“I didn’t. I’m really sick… I didn't sneak out with anyone…” My voice shook.

“Of course, I know you didn't.” Gideon looked down with authority. “Evelyn, you're the woman who would die for me. How could you ever cheat?”

He turned to Zerrick, scorn blazing in his eyes. “You only got close to him to spite me. You can play your games, but how dare you… deceive Bella.”

My parents cried even louder when they heard that. It was as though their younger daughter were dying right then and there.

Gideon’s fists tightened. He turned to look at his men. “What are you waiting for? Lock her up!”

His men moved toward me at once. The Underboss, Randel Lane, began to speak up, “Boss, the car accident wasn't planned, and our checks show that Mrs. Wade did experience heavy bleeding…”

A bullet zipped past the man's ear and buried itself in the opposite wall.

He clutched his ear as blood sprayed before he collapsed to the floor. The tile darkened with bright red.

Gideon’s gaze turned ice-cold as he lowered his gun. “Mr. Lane, remember who your master is. You’d better not be on her side. And now, you’ve joined her in lying to me. Heavy bleeding? Do you think I’m a fool?

“That bullet is a warning. If it happens again, the next one will hit your heart.”

He straightened and snapped his fingers. A couple of men stepped forward.

They grabbed me and threw me into the car like trash.

...

When I woke up again, it was pitch-black. It was so dark that I could not see my own hand.

My abdomen still ached faintly.

I put my hand over my belly and forced a bitter smile, unsure whether my baby's heart was still beating.

After a long, unknown stretch of time, voices drifted outside. It was Bella.

She asked in a crying tone, “Gideon, how could you lock Evelyn up? It’s my fault for running that light. That’s why I got hit. I’m okay…”

“It’s not your fault.” Gideon’s voice was almost unbelievably gentle. “She lied to you.”

“Evelyn just panicked. She thinks I'm a threat to her position.” Bella sniffed, sounding more aggrieved by the second. “But I wouldn’t do that. She’s my sister. Why would I ever try to steal her man? Even if the man… is the best man in the world…”

Her voice trailed off, and suddenly, the hallway fell silent.

Through the crack in the cell door, I watched Gideon hold her in his arms as he patted the top of her head.

He smiled faintly and murmured, “Don’t say that. I've never forgotten you. If you hadn’t left, I never would have married her. The only reason she got all that she did is because she reminds me a little of you.”

My fingers dug deep into my palm. Even though I had learned of Gideon’s true feelings in my previous life, hearing it so plainly now made my eyes burn.

Gideon had not always been the fearsome Don. Once, he had been a shy boy. He was always dropping by our house, playing with me and my sister.

Back then, I could see that he liked my sister, but my sister had no interest in him. She used to whisper that he had no money, no status, and could not give her the life she wanted.

When she grew up, she left to study abroad, determined to meet richer people.

After she left, Gideon was despondent for a while, but he kept having dinner with me as before. I thought he had forgotten her. I thought his heart finally belonged to me.

Hence, when my parents pushed me to find a way to marry Gideon once he became the most powerful Don, I was overjoyed.

It all happened more easily than I expected. He pursued me, and we married.

I believed we would have a happy future. Yet, all that awaited me was five years of a concealed, loveless marriage. Memories of humiliation surged through me. I covered my face and sobbed.

Perhaps Gideon heard me. He was about to loosen his grip when Bella threw her arms around his neck and kissed him.

Gideon froze for a moment, then held her tightly.

The kiss was unbearably tender.

After a long while, he slowly let her go.

She leaned into him, her tone carrying a hidden implication. “Gideon, when she wakes, how will you tell her about us? Maybe you should… just get a divorce.”

Gideon was stunned for a moment. He was silent for a beat, then pushed Bella away gently.

“No rush. Evelyn loves me. If I bring up a divorce now, she might go crazy.”

"What if she accepts it? Aren’t you the one who doesn’t like—” Bella responded on instinct.

Gideon cut her off, “Enough. I will decide on this. She’s your sister. You don’t want her to have a breakdown and cause trouble, do you?”

Before Bella could argue, one of his subordinates hurried over and whispered in Gideon’s ear.

Gideon muttered in a low voice, “What a mess,” and left in a hurry.

As Bella watched him leave from behind, the smile vanished from her face, replaced by thick, cold hatred.

The moment Gideon slipped away, she kicked my cell door hard. “Don’t play dumb. I know you’re awake! Damn it! I overdid it. Now, Gideon actually thinks I’m worried about you!”

She stormed into the cell and saw my expressionless face.

“Feeling proud yet? I’ll tell you something. You’re not married to him anymore. I have ways to make him ditch you!”

My parents emerged from the shadows. “Don’t worry, Bella. We’ll play along. Your sister has always wanted to hurt you. It's only natural that we favor you!”

My mother looked down at me with disdain. “We were wrong to pin our hopes on this useless girl for all those years. She’s brought us nothing but shame.”

She slid an arm through Bella’s and cooed, “Bella, you’ve got to keep it up. When you become the Don's wife, no one would dare to cross us!”

Their laughter only grew, and my parents crowded Bella into the center as they moved farther down the corridor.

In the end, a heavy and suffocating silence reclaimed the hallway.

I pulled my phone from my pocket with trembling hands, right as a friend request popped up from an unfamiliar account.

[I’ve investigated everything. I'll help you.]

It was Zerrick.

I let out a long breath. I was not the type to bother others. However, the only person who could possibly stand up to Gideon’s power was Zerrick.

I accepted the request and typed with shaking fingers.

[I need a private jet. Destination: Denomia.]