Chapter 3

My heart sank. I asked in disbelief, “Why?”

Ted laughed and said, “Of course, it’s because they wanted to protect Ms. Lydia.

“If they let you out, it would prove that Ms. Lydia lied. Ms. Summer, I’m sorry, but you have to spend the night here.”

After he said that, he left nonchalantly.

I collapsed on the floor as my heart throbbed in pain.

During the day, I swore to Lydia that our parents did not love her.

However, I knew I was the one our parents did not love.

My vision slowly went black as I fainted.

When I woke up again, I was lying in a hospital bed.

I heard a reporter saying, “Mr. Harold and Mrs. Harold, it’s only been three months since your biological daughter returned home. Why did she faint?

“There are rumors claiming that you don’t treat your biological daughter well. Is that true?

“The doctors say Ms. Summer is malnourished. What’s your explanation for that?”

I did not hear their responses.

Someone opened the door of my ward. My parents walked in with darkened expressions.

They had just shut the door when Mom immediately yelled at me, “You’re jinxing us!

“We were living such a good life back then. Why did you look for us? Why didn’t you just die out there?”

I looked down.

Initially, I thought that once I created a small wedge between Axel and Lydia, I would be able to survive in that small crack.

However, I would not hold myself back anymore.

I looked up at them with tears streaming down my cheeks.

“Axel was tired of being the successor of the Harold family. That’s why he came to me.

“Lydia doesn’t want the arranged marriage, and Axel’s under immense pressure. He thought once I returned, they would be able to loosen up a little.”

Axel was indeed the one who brought me home. However, he found me via the address given by the police.

As long as they got the general idea, it would be fine.

I was omitting some parts of the truth—not technically lying.

I sniffed, and my voice was trembling.

“I know you don’t like me, but I’m doing this for Axel and Lydia…”

Dad’s face fell. “What are you talking about? The reason why we arranged this marriage for Lydia is to recognize her importance in this family!”

I answered, “If you don’t believe me, you can call Lydia now and ask if she’s actually willing to marry George.

“Then, you can ask Axel if he’s truly under a lot of pressure.”

My parents exchanged a glance. Mom immediately took out her phone and called Lydia.

“Lydia, I want to ask you something. Is it true that you really don’t want to marry George?”

Lydia was quiet for a second.

Immediately after, she exclaimed in surprise, “Mom, you’re finally asking me this! I don’t want to. I don’t like George at all, I…”

Before Lydia could finish her sentence, my mother hung up on her.

Her face was extremely pale.

Dad then called Axel.

However, it was Axel’s assistant, Jack Taylor, who answered the call.

“Mr. Harold, Mr. Axel is drunk. He has just fallen asleep.”

Dad was the one who planted Jack by Axel’s side to keep an eye on him.

Dad asked softly, “Did he tell you anything recently?”

Jack was stunned. It seemed like he was hesitant to speak. However, he said, “About this… Mr. Axel didn’t say much, but he did mention that he wants to find someone today.”

“Who?”

“Ms. Ada.”

Dad’s face immediately fell. “Why is he so hung up on a gold digger?”

After he said that, he also ended the call angrily.

I leaned against the headboard with tears streaming down my cheeks. However, I felt relieved.

I would be able to secure my own place in no time.