Chapter 2

I heard them talking outside the door, and my whole body felt like it had been thrown into an ice cave.

Harry seemed a little reluctant, then said, “But Charlotte will be devastated if she finds out.”

Dad frowned, still just as firm.

“Aurora is your sister too. Back when your mother was still alive, I didn’t bring her home.”

“Letting her live outside all these years under the label of an illegitimate daughter has already been unfair to her.”

“Aurora is well-behaved and sensible. For more than ten years, she never asked for anything.”

“She just wants to chase love a little. Can’t we even satisfy that tiny wish of hers?”

A conflicted look flashed across Harry’s face, but he still asked in frustration, “But the Sterling family has financial ties to us after all. If we suddenly switch people and send Aurora to marry into that family, will they really agree?”

Dad thought for a moment. “The Sterling family will see the news report tomorrow…”

Harry seemed to think of something and hurriedly pulled out his phone.

“I’ll contact the media. No matter how much it costs, we have to bury this news.”

“We absolutely can’t let a single word leak about what happened to Charlotte.”

Dad reached out to stop him. “No, not only do we not need to stop it, we need to report it big-time. The more people know, the better!”

“If we marry Aurora into that family, the Sterling family and us already have a marriage agreement in place. They’ll only think we’re stepping in to save the situation.”

“That way, they’ll treat Aurora even better, and they won’t take their anger out on her because of this either.”

After a pause, Harry actually nodded too.

“Dad, you’re right. Aurora isn’t like Charlotte. She was born with nothing.”

“As long as she marries into the Sterling family and lives a good life, we can finally relax.”

“Charlotte’s personality is spoiled. She could use a little hardship and tempering anyway.”

Dad answered a call.

The pain on his face vanished without a trace, replaced by joy, and he promised the person on the other end of the line, “Aurora, don’t worry. Tomorrow, Dad guarantees you’ll marry Marcus.”

“Just get everything ready and be the happiest bride ever!”

Aurora said something I couldn’t hear, and the father and son both laughed very happily.

I closed my eyes in despair.

Dad was willing to have someone hurt me just to plan so thoroughly for Aurora.

The brother I thought doted on me, the father I thought loved me, turned out to be willing to trample my dignity and reputation just to pave the way for Aurora.

I lost all strength and collapsed to the floor.

Dad and Harry heard the noise and hurried over.

Dad held me in his arms and gently touched my forehead with loving care.

“Charlotte, you’re hurt this badly. Instead of lying down properly, you walked out barefoot. Are you trying to break my heart?”

Harry even pushed a wheelchair over for me and used a towel to wipe my feet.

As if I were still his beloved daughter, his only biological sister.

Dad’s eyes were bloodshot from staying up all night worrying about my condition, yet he still sat by my bedside and watched me fall asleep.

“Once you wake up, everything will be fine. Charlotte, it’s over. I’ll always be by your side.”

They seemed to really love me.

I turned away and cried until there were no tears left.

When the doctor came in, he said, “Your daughter’s facial injuries are quite serious. If she doesn’t have surgery soon, she may be left with permanent scars.”

Harry said anxiously, “How can that be? Charlotte cares about her looks the most. If she gets even a pimple, she’ll complain for half a day.”

Dad just waved a hand and told the doctor to leave first.

He thought I was asleep, and without any hesitation, he said softly, “Charlotte is beautiful. She’s been the center of attention at school since she was little. With her around, everyone will never notice Aurora.”

“Charlotte’s face is ruined, so Aurora won’t have to envy Charlotte anymore.”

I bit down hard, refusing to let myself make a sound.

That made me think of when Mom had just died.

I was only six then, crying all day long until my eyes swelled up like walnuts.

Dad held me and said heartbrokenly, “As long as I’m alive, I’ll be good to Charlotte for the rest of my life.”

Harry also said he only had one sister, and that was me.

They forgot their promises so fast.

After a sleepless night, the doctor examined my body and it was too horrible to look at.

My whole body was covered in bruises, and my face was wrapped in thick bandages.

He couldn’t help muttering, “They say Chris and Harry love Charlotte like their lives depend on it. So why are they still going shopping with Aurora first thing in the morning after she was hurt like this?”