Chapter 1

I regained consciousness to the overwhelming smell of disinfectants in the hospital room. I stared vacantly at the ceiling, feeling an uncomfortable churning in my stomach.

Delilah Sorrell, my sister, suddenly walked into the room with a medical report in her hand.

I could only stare as the person I had spent three years looking for without success walked toward me. My pupils dilated as a torrent of emotions instantly surged in my heart.

I stiffened my neck, stubbornly fighting back the tears, while Delilah glared at me, struggling to keep the anger threatening to erupt under control.

Delilah and I knew exactly what was going on, but we were locked in a silent standoff, neither wanting to speak first.

It wasn't until I met her gaze that my resolve finally crumbled. I couldn't keep the tremor out of my voice as I stammered, "D-Delilah—"

Delilah's fury exploded in an instant. She slapped the gastric lavage report against my face and bellowed, "Haven't you thrown enough tantrums, Bennett? Did you deliberately take those pills to lure me out because you knew this was a punishment? You're playing with your life just to get my sympathy, huh?

"You were only suffering a little out there! I personally instructed those people to treat you well. They were never supposed to hurt you. No matter how realistic the wounds you painted on yourself look, it's useless. All you're doing is making me sick, Bennett!"

I went completely numb with disbelief, the raw pain lodging tightly in my throat. For three years, I had dreamed of finding her, imagining our reunion countless times. I couldn't help but wonder if I would be thrilled or if I would break down sobbing from the injustice of it all.

I never could have guessed that her very first words to me would be a casual dismissal of my punishment and her usual complete lack of trust.

Nathan Baker suddenly walked into the room, following a few seconds of stalemate. He smiled and handed me a banquet invitation, saying, "I'll be graduating soon, Bennett. You should come to my graduation banquet. I won't blame you for what happened in the past."

I stared intently at Delilah with bloodshot eyes, making no move to accept the invitation.

Nathan instantly looked down, looking deeply hurt as tears welled in his eyes. "It seems like Bennett still blames me for what happened back then, Delilah. You shouldn't bother with me anymore.

"I don't need the graduation banquet either. You should just bring Bennett home. I'll move out of the Sorrell residence right away."

Delilah's heart immediately ached for Nathan. She glared at me, her fists tightening as she yelled, "How could you be so completely incapable of changing your ways and refusing to accept Nathan, Bennett? You know full well he has depression, yet you still go out of your way to upset him!

"It seems that your punishment back then wasn't enough!"

Delilah immediately ordered the bodyguards to throw me out of the hospital. "Go suffer for another month. We'll see if you finally remember your lesson this time!"

I finally snapped out of my daze after Delilah and Nathan drove away, leaving the car exhaust blowing in my face. I stared dazedly at the busy street, where every banner hanging from the lampposts celebrated Nathan's graduation.

I noticed that the giant screen on the exterior of the mall ahead was showcasing the graduation gifts Delilah had given him—boxes of luxury goods and two private island villas. I could even hear casual passersby expressing their envy and praise for how much Delilah spoiled Nathan.

I let out a harsh, bitter laugh, tears streaming down my face.

It turned out that during the three years I was living a fate worse than death—the three years I risked my life just trying to find Delilah and the three years I wanted to flee for my life every single day—she was out here spoiling Nathan, a poor scholarship student, turning him into a pampered heir.