LOGINVivian tried to move, but the sharp pain that shot through her body made her freeze in place. It felt like being pierced by needles. Her breath caught; the pain dragged her back to reality.She sank slowly back into the warm water, trying not to make it worse.A knock sounded on the door—loud, impatient, grating against her raw nerves. She clenched her jaw, dried herself quickly, and slipped into a loose set of clothes. When she peered through the peephole and saw who was outside, a wave of irritation rolled through her.“Bang, bang, bang!” The knocking grew louder.She yanked open the door, her expression cold.Outside stood a middle-aged man with a sour face. “What took you so long? What were you doing in there?”“Watch your tone, Uncle,” Vivian said sharply. The man was her uncle, Henry Wilson, and his wife stood right behind him, peering nosily into the apartment.Her aunt gave a high, artificial laugh. “Oh my, were you showering? In the middle of the day?” She grabbed Vivia
In Vivian's apartment, she huddled in a corner, frantically clawing at her clothes while sobbing and muttering, "So dirty, why is it so dirty!"She looked completely unhinged, nothing like a normal person. The blackout curtains were drawn tight, and the dim light made her appear even more disturbing.After finally tearing off her disheveled clothes, Vivian caught sight of the dark marks covering her skin and completely broke down.Tears and snot streamed uncontrollably down her face as she slowly buried her head between her knees, her toes alternating between pointing and flexing.Suddenly, she threw her head back and screamed, "Ahh..."Time passed, though how much she couldn't say. Like a soulless puppet, she swayed as she braced herself against the wall and staggered toward the bathroom.Soon, the sound of running water echoed through the empty, silent room.Vivian didn't head straight for the tub. Instead, she chose the shower.Standing under the showerhead, she tilted her f
“The rest?” Sarah echoed softly, but didn’t press further. She knew better. Walls had ears.Scarlett had risked everything to come here just to say these things. Sarah understood she had to play her part well.“This is an opportunity, Sarah. We need to make the most of it,” Scarlett said, pulling her into a hug. “You were the one who pulled me out before. This time, let me be the one to pull you back.”As she got up to leave, she reminded her again, “Don’t forget what I told you. Just follow the plan. Leave the rest to us.”Sarah nodded firmly. “I will.”When Scarlett walked out, she cast Leon a strange look—subtle, but loaded with meaning. It wasn’t anger or pleading. It was calm, knowing, and almost mocking.Leon was caught off guard. He had expected her to fight tooth and nail to take Sarah away. He’d even prepared for it. But this? This silent confidence? It unsettled him.It was the kind of look that said she knew something—something buried deep, something that involved him
“I want to see Scarlett.”Leon’s eyes narrowed, but there was nothing he could do. The last time Sarah bled, it nearly drove him insane. He couldn’t bear to see her injured again.He gave a tense nod, walked over, and opened the door. Then he gently pushed her wheelchair out.The locked hallway door was finally unsealed. On the other side, Scarlett had been waiting anxiously. When she saw Sarah, her heart nearly burst.Sarah looked thinner than before. Had she been eating properly? Sleeping at all? Why was she in a wheelchair?Scarlett couldn’t hold back any longer. She rushed forward, only to be stopped by Leon’s assistant.“Let me go!” she shouted, struggling with all her strength.Sarah’s voice cut through the air, sharp and unwavering.“Let her go.”Leon hesitated, thrown off by the sheer force in her tone. After a moment, he waved a hand. His assistant backed away.Scarlett finally reached her, dropping to a crouch beside the wheelchair. Her eyes went straight to Sarah’s
By the time the recording ended, Sarah’s face was streaked with tears. She clutched her chest as if the pain itself had sunk deep into her bones.The doctor didn’t say a word. He quietly handed her a box of tissues.Sarah wiped her tears quickly. Now wasn’t the time to fall apart.She noticed the recorder was still playing. Through the headphones came Melvin’s voice.“Sarah, I’m sorry I never let you hear your father’s last words sooner. Before your memories came back, I didn’t want you to know the truth. At least you were able to smile, even for a while. The truth is too heavy. It’s like having a stone pressed against your chest, making it hard to breathe. I know that feeling. Every year on your father’s memorial day, I feel it too. Knowing the truth but having to act like nothing’s wrong when I look at you—it’s torture. But now you’ve heard his words yourself. So get back up, Sarah. When that conspiracy resurfaces, tear it apart with your own hands. Don’t let your father down.”
The doctor focused on the wound without lifting his gaze. He dipped a cotton swab in medicine and gently applied it. His tone turned serious.“My employer wants to help you. That’s why I’m doing everything I can. Mr. Sanders asked me to give you something.”After tossing the used swab into the bin, he reached into a hidden pocket and pulled out a slightly worn voice recorder. Just as Sarah was about to take it, he pulled it back.“My employer really cares about Mr. Sanders. She’s even willing to stand against the Leon family for him. The Sachs family knows about Mr. Sanders’ connection to you, and they’re hoping to support her however they can.”Sarah smiled faintly.“Feelings aren’t something that can be influenced by others. I appreciate Miss Sachs for wanting to help me. I’m sure my cousin sees that clearly too. But I don’t see this as some kind of transaction. So tell me, was that your thought or hers?”The doctor hesitated for a second.“That was just me. She doesn’t know I







