Chapter 3

While I was lost in thought, Nara's mother stormed over, fuming with rage. "Amber, your nephew drenched Nara with juice! If Hansel hadn't stepped in to discipline him, the Sullivans wouldn't have let this go so easily!"

"Amber, I only disciplined Ezra to appease the Sullivans," Hansel quickly explained. "Don't worry, I held back—I wouldn't really hurt him."

I glared at him through gritted teeth. Ezra's lip was bleeding, and his face was swollen. Yet, Hansel still had the audacity to call that holding back.

Under my resentful gaze, Hansel lowered his head, knowing he was in the wrong. I turned to Mrs. Sullivan and said sarcastically, "Mrs. Sullivan, your daughter was on the rooftop threatening suicide half an hour ago, and I'm the one who convinced my groom to save her.

"By that logic, I'd say I'm her lifesaver. Ezra rushed here from school for my wedding, only to find the bride had been switched.

"He thought his aunt was being mistreated and couldn't help but throw his drink at the new bride to defend my honor."

I gave her a sharp look and continued, "So tell me, as her lifesaver, shouldn't we just call this even?"

Mrs. Sullivan frowned, clearly wanting to retort, but the weight of the guests' gazes silenced her. She huffed and stepped aside without saying another word.

With Ezra's support, I slowly stood up. Hansel noticed my complexion and asked worriedly, "Amber, why do you look so pale?"

I ignored him and turned to Ezra, whispering, "Call an ambulance..."

Ezra immediately pulled out his phone to make the call.

Hansel was clearly startled and asked, "What's going on? Why call an ambulance? I barely pushed you—it can't be that serious, right?"

"She's probably just trying to make you worry about her," Nara mocked.

Hansel frowned and said, "Is that true, Amber? I don't like this kind of manipulative trick."

Ezra wanted to fight him, but I held him back and said, "Help me to the entrance." As Ezra supported me, I clutched my stomach and walked slowly through the pain toward the hotel entrance.

Hansel tried to stop us, but suddenly, someone yelled, "Ms. Sullivan fainted!" Then, he immediately turned his attention to Nara, scooping her up and shouting, "To the hospital!"

I turned to watch him carry her through the crowd, his face etched with concern. My chest ached as I thought bitterly. Even during our most loving days, his choice was always Nara. If I had realized this sooner in my previous life, perhaps I would not have met such a tragic end.

"Amber, you still have me," Ezra comforted me. "Don't be sad. I'll always be here for you."

His words warmed my heart, and I smiled, saying, "Don't worry, I'm not sad."

Ezra was not convinced. He declared angrily, "When I grow up, I won't let anyone hurt you ever again!"

By then, we had reached the hotel entrance. Since the hospital was nearby, the ambulance arrived quickly.

Before I could speak, Mrs. Sullivan rushed out screaming, "Doctor, save my daughter—she's fainted!"

Then, someone roughly pushed me aside. If Ezra had not been holding me, I would have fallen hard.

I looked up angrily to see Hansel carrying Nara out. When he saw me, he showed no remorse and instead said matter-of-factly, "Amber, you just had a small fall, but Nara's different—she's unconscious.

"She needs immediate medical attention. Let her take the ambulance, and I'll have my driver take you home to rest."

The pain in my abdomen was getting worse, and I shook my head. "No, I can't! I need to go to the hospital!"

I knew Nara was faking, and there was no way I would risk my own life.

Mrs. Sullivan stormed up to me and slapped me hard across the face. "You wretch! Who are you to compete with my precious daughter!"

When Ezra tried to defend me, security guards pinned him down. I collapsed to the ground, trembling in pain, and looked to Hansel for help.

He avoided my gaze and said, "Mrs. Sullivan is just worried about Nara. Besides, Amber, this is about someone's life—you shouldn't be jealous at a time like this!"

Others criticized me, saying my earlier gesture of letting Hansel save Nara was just for show. With that, Hansel carried Nara past me and quickly boarded the ambulance.

Before leaving, he looked at me and said, "Amber, you've always been kind. You'll understand my choice, right?"

Without waiting for my answer, he climbed into the vehicle.

As the ambulance disappeared into the distance, I screamed in anger, "Hansel, you're a complete bastard!"

The next moment, someone pointed at my legs in horror and shouted, "Blood! She's bleeding everywhere!"