Chapter 2

"Claire! What's wrong? Why are you throwing up like this?"

Mom and Dad rushed forward in panic, their voices full of concern.

I stood where I was and tilted my head. "Oh my, Claire. You're vomiting like you're pregnant or something."

A heavy silence fell over us.

"Stop talking nonsense!" Claire shrieked, as if she'd been terribly wronged. "I don't even have a boyfriend. How could I possibly be pregnant? Just because you… you've done shameful things doesn't mean you can accuse me!"

Watching her tearful display, Mom and Dad couldn't bear to see her suffer.

Dad's eyes flashed with anger. "Amanda, how dare you spread such vicious rumors about your sister! You have no sense of decency!"

Mom looked deeply disappointed. "Amanda, you've gone too far! Claire has never been around men. How could she possibly be pregnant?"

I blinked, my expression innocent. "I was just making an offhand comment. But since Claire is throwing up like this, we should probably have a doctor take a look."

"No need!" Claire blurted before she could stop herself. She quickly covered her mouth and coughed lightly a couple of times, her eyes darting around in panic. "I just ate something bad. I'll be fine after some rest."

With that, she collapsed weakly against Mom.

Mom and Dad rushed to help her inside, fussing over her anxiously.

I watched their retreating figures thoughtfully, my mind working. Claire's reaction seemed off. It was like she already knew she was pregnant.

A powerful surge of curiosity sparked inside me. I walked straight into the villa and joined Mom and Dad around her bedside.

"Claire, I'm really worried about you, so I called a doctor. He'll be here any minute. If something's actually wrong, it's better to find out early. That way, Mom and Dad won't have to worry."

Hearing my thoughtful words, Mom and Dad both looked pleased.

Claire's face instantly turned pale. She buried herself in Mom's arms with a whimper. "Mom, I don't want to see a doctor."

Mom patted her back sympathetically. She was about to speak when a deep voice suddenly came from the doorway.

"That won't be necessary."

My brother, Ethan Hartley, walked in and looked me up and down. He made no effort to hide the disgust in his eyes.

"So you're Amanda? Let me make something clear. Even though we share blood, Claire is my only sister. Her affairs are none of your business."

He walked straight to Claire's bedside and gently wiped away her tears. "If Claire doesn't want to see a doctor, she doesn't have to. She has me to look after her."

Claire threw herself into Ethan's arms, sobbing. "I knew I could count on you!"

I watched the two of them, and something clicked in my mind. I spoke up innocently. "You and Claire have such a close relationship. Even though you're not blood-related, you're so affectionate with each other!"

The moment those words left my mouth, everyone's expressions changed.

Ethan jerked his hands away as if burned, his ears turning red, fury blazing in his eyes. "What the hell are you talking about!"

Claire sobbed quietly and looked at me with tears streaming down her face. "Amanda, how can you say that about Ethan and me? Are you trying to change the subject? Are you spreading rumors about me so Mom and Dad will stop asking about your child?"

Her lips trembled as she bit down on them, looking utterly disappointed. "Actually… When I found out what happened to you, I was going to ask Mom and Dad to help you get justice. I never thought you'd treat me like this."

Mom tensed immediately. "What happened? Amanda, who hurt you?"

I sat down with an amused expression. "I have no idea. Claire, who exactly hurt me?"

"Amanda, don't be afraid. It wasn't your fault." Tears of sympathy filled her eyes. "I found out that a few months ago, you were… dragged into an alley by seven thugs… And they did those horrible things to you."