Chapter 3

The moment she appeared, the father and son immediately shifted all their attention away from me.

They rushed to her side, showering her with concern.

"Nora, you're wearing too little. You're still sick, and the weather is getting cold. What did the doctor say about your labs? Are they getting better?"

"Yeah, Nora. You've always been fragile. You didn't need to come see her."

"Take my jacket. Adeline already agreed to the transplant. You'll be healthy again soon."

...

Their warm words echoed in my ears, sounding incredibly grating.

Nora gave them a sweet, gentle smile.

Then, her gaze drifted past them to me. A flicker of smugness flashed in her eyes.

She walked closer, holding a bouquet of flowers.

"It's been three years. I missed you so much, Adeline."

"William told me you're willing to save me. I'm so deeply touched."

I let out a cold laugh.

I had no intention of playing the loving sisters with her. I snapped back sharply.

"Yeah. I just find it funny how your illness is so perfectly timed."

"For three years, you wanted my blood. Now you want my kidney. I'm starting to wonder if you actually just want my life."

My words were harsh.

William frowned deeply, barking at me, "Adeline! Watch your mouth!"

"Apologize to Nora right now!"

Asher, young and hot-headed, glared at me and yelled, "Nora's illness is all your fault! If you hadn't killed my uncle, she wouldn't have gotten sick from grief!"

"How can you be so heartless? Apologize to her!"

I didn't even bother to look at them. I stayed silent.

Nora blinked back tears, playing the peacemaker beautifully.

"No, it's fine. I'm not mad. She’s been in the estate basement for three years. It's natural for her to be bitter. I understand. Honestly, it's my fault for not checking on her."

"Maybe the housekeeper I hired didn't take good care of her, and she’s taking her anger out on me."

With that, she forced the bouquet of flowers into my space.

"I arranged these flowers myself. Please accept them as my apology."

"Adeline, please take them."

I could tolerate almost anything else, but hearing her mention that housekeeper made my blood boil.

And to top it off, I was severely allergic to pollen.

Nora knew this. Yet she brought flowers anyway.

Furious, I slapped the bouquet out of her hand, sending it flying across the room.

"Get away from me! Stop acting so innocent!"

"That miserable maid starved me, beat me, and threw freezing water on me in the dead of winter! She did all of that on your orders!"

Nora immediately fell to the floor, acting as if my outburst had terrified her.

Tears streamed down her face as she sobbed.

"Adeline, what are you talking about?"

"I just wanted to thank you. The nanny I hired for you was always so sweet. She never talked back, even when you screamed at her. If you don't want my flowers, fine. But why do you have to lie and slander me in front of William and Asher?"

She turned her tear-stained face to William.

"William, I swear it's not like that."

"You've met Mrs. Gable. She's a kind, hardworking woman. Last time we visited the estate, Adeline threw something at her and cut her head open. Mrs. Gable didn't even complain. She just smiled and went back to the kitchen to cook, worried Adeline would go hungry. How could she possibly..."

"You lying bitch! The scar on her head was from when she tried to—"

I desperately tried to defend myself.

But William didn't give me the chance. His roar cut me off, echoing through the room.

"Enough! Adeline, you've completely lost your mind!"

"The doctors said your condition was critical, but I think it's all an act! You clearly have plenty of energy to scream and throw tantrums! We are wasting medical resources on you!"

"Lock the windows and doors. Don't let her escape before the surgery!"

He bent down, carefully lifting Nora from the floor and wrapping his arm around her protectively.

Then, he turned to Asher, who was looking at me with equal disgust.

"Asher, let's go."

They left, and the heavy door was locked from the outside.

I collapsed onto the bed, chest heaving with rage.

But almost immediately, something felt wrong.

It felt like the oxygen was being sucked out of the room. My chest tightened, and breathing became a struggle.

I looked down.

The flowers.

They had been sprayed with an excessive amount of pollen, which had scattered all over the air when the bouquet hit the floor.

During my screaming match, I had inhaled a massive amount of it.

Now, the reaction was hitting me full force.

I rushed to the window to open it, but the electric locks had already sealed the room on William's orders. I dragged my heavy limbs to the door, pounding on it with what little strength I had left.

"Help! Someone help me!"

"Let me out! I'm allergic... I can't breathe!"

"Help... please..."

My voice grew softer.

My pounding weakened to a faint scratch, and eventually, I couldn't make a sound at all.

My consciousness plunged into darkness.

Ten minutes later, the emergency alarms finally went off, and I was rushed into the ICU.