Chapter 2

Soon the great hall was packed with people. My father looked in my direction and spoke in a low, heavy voice.

"Ivy, all these people are watching you. Are you still not getting up?"

When I still didn't move, he pounded the table in fury.

Nadia let a few tears fall at just the right moment and spoke in a choked voice.

"I'm sorry you all had to see this... I was only playing a little joke on Ivy today to liven things up.

"But then she suddenly started pretending to be sick, lying on the floor and refusing to get up unless I apologized to her personally. I guess she thinks that since I'm adopted, I don't deserve to be at her birthday party."

My father pressed his hand over hers and picked up where she'd left off.

"Nadia's parents sacrificed themselves for me. In my heart, she'll always be my own daughter.

"Whoever mistreats Nadia will be punished. Even Ivy!"

He pointed at me lying on the floor. At the sight, everyone sucked in a sharp breath.

With every eye on me, I still showed no sign of getting up.

My father's brows knitted tightly as he scolded me.

"Ivy! Are you deliberately trying to humiliate this whole family? Where are your manners? You're supposed to be the Principessa of this Family!"

The only answer was a long silence.

That pushed my father over the edge.

"Fine, Ivy! Lie there forever if you've got the nerve!"

Maria Conti, who'd taken care of me since I was little, knew I'd always been well-behaved and rarely talked back to my father. Sensing something was wrong, she spoke up anxiously.

"Ivy's lying there completely still. I can't even see her chest moving. Could something have happened to her?

"Maybe we should take her to the hospital first. You can still punish her when she gets back."

My mother scoffed.

"She's been faking illness to get attention since she was a child. It's the same old trick. Don't let her fool you!

"She's just playing dead to get sympathy so everyone will blame Nadia."

Adrian stepped forward to explain.

"Don't worry, everyone. I'd stake my life on it. Ivy's perfectly fine. She's just taking shallower breaths to make it look like she isn't breathing at all.

"Once she can't take it anymore, she'll get up on her own."

Adrian was both my fiancé and the man responsible for protecting me within the Family. The moment he said that, the mood in the room flipped completely.

The made men began whispering among themselves.

"I can't believe Miss Ivy is this vicious. She can't even tolerate Nadia."

"Exactly. Nadia's parents sacrificed so much for the Family. We all saw it."

"What a disgrace. Good thing the Don sees right through her and didn't indulge her."

I listened to their vicious remarks, too hopeless to say a word.

Adrian, how could you do this to me?

Have you forgotten? Back then, my father didn't trust you with anything important. You were just a nobody on the fringes of the Family.

I was the one who stood against everyone and pushed my father to give you a chance. That's the only reason you have the success and status you have today.

You once swore before God that you'd protect me with your life.

And now?

I'm already dead, and my body has gone cold. And you still haven't noticed!

The seconds ticked by.

My blood had stopped flowing, and dark purplish discoloration began to appear on my exposed skin.

My pupils were fully dilated, but the hair covering my face hid them from view.

Since I still refused to get up, my father felt humiliated in front of his men and sent them all away.

Only Maria, worried about my health, refused to leave.

"Mr. Russo, Ivy's joints are twisted so strangely. May I go take a look at her?" she asked carefully.

Adrian only wanted me punished. He didn't want me hurt. So he decided to go check on me himself.

He walked toward the terrace. I floated behind him, my heart in my throat.

Were they finally going to find out?