Chapter 5

Leah brought me to the hospital while Lucas, busy basking in his sweet moments with Nara, had already forgotten I was even there.

Every now and then, I overheard the nurses chatting about Lucas and Nara's latest outings. Meanwhile, I lay in the hospital bed like a flower on the verge of wilting.

My time was truly running out, but I still had unfinished business.

I refused the doctor's proposed treatment. As soon as my wounds began to heal, I discharged myself and went home. However, after just a few days, the entire house had changed.

Every corner had been redecorated to match Nara's taste—inside and out.

All the little things I had placed throughout the home had been tossed out and replaced with so-called art pieces.

When the maidservants saw me return, some looked away in guilt while others smirked with thinly veiled delight.

I was stopped at the door. "Ms. Elena, Mr. Lucas gave orders that if you returned, you'll need to call him first and ask for permission to enter."

I was just about to explode with anger when the buzz of a chainsaw echoed from the garden. I had an ominous feeling. "What's going on in the garden?"

"Oh, Ms. Nara said that the tree is taking up too much space. She's having it cut down to make room for a swing."

My heart dropped. That tree was the one Derrick had planted for me before he died. I could still remember his gentle smile as he dug the soil. "Elena, when I'm not around, let this tree keep you company."

Nara had once secretly read a letter I wrote to Derrick. She knew what that tree meant to me. Now, she wanted to destroy it.

When I was very young, I lost both my parents and grew up in a border shelter. It was Derrick who brought me back to his home. Leah took pity on me and agreed to let me stay.

As a noble lady by birth, Nara was the perfect match for Lucas in status. When she heard about my past, her eyes shimmered with tears. "You've really had a hard life. But everything will get better."

The adults all praised her for being so considerate, but the moment their backs were turned, I heard her speak to her maid with a mocking voice.

"That lowly Omega… How dare she live in Lucas' home? It's disgusting to even look at the country bumpkin."

Yet she would glance over at me with sympathetic eyes after every cruel prank, pretending she had nothing to do with it.

Back then, Derrick spent most of his time living with his grandfather in another pack. He had no idea what I was going through, and I was also too afraid to tell him.

They were already giving me food and shelter. Was I not lucky enough?

I held my breath and did my best in everything, hoping that one day, I could grow strong enough to leave this place and live on my own.

Whenever I felt sad or upset, I would go out to the garden, sit under that tree, and talk to Derrick.

"Derrick, I had roast chicken today! It smelled so good!"

"Derrick, I got first place in the exams! Amazing, right?"

Derrick had planted the tree so that it would grow up with me, and I never wanted it to know I was unhappy. However, one day, Nara said she wanted to build a swing in the garden. She wanted to cut down my tree.

Lucas had arranged for people to do the work, but I clung to the tree with all my might, screaming at the top of my lungs. "No one touches it! If you want to cut it down, you'll have to cut me down first! Go ahead!"

That was the first time I completely lost control, crying and screaming in Lucas' home.

The commotion brought the adults running, and Leah spoke up sternly. "Nara, listen to Elena for once. If you want a swing, just find another spot."

Nara did not show any displeasure. She smiled brightly and said, "It's fine. I already have a swing at home. Lucas, come play at my house, then!"

I thought the matter would end there, but while I was away this time, Nara finally had the chance to cut the tree down.

When I rushed into the garden, the tree had already been sawed through the trunk. Its once sturdy body lay broken across the grass with the branches scattered in pieces.

All that remained was a bare, lifeless stump.

Nara stood beside it and gave me a vicious smile.

"I've already cut it down. What can you do about it? This is my home with Lucas now. I call the shots. You stole Lucas from me for three years. It's time to give him back."

Tears streamed down my face. I launched myself at her with everything I had.

"You witch! I'll murder you!"