After enduring three years of torment, I was finally set free from prison.

Before I left,they beat me mercilessly one last time.

"If you dare speak of what happened here, we have ways to ensure you'll never live in peace again."

The heavy iron doors creaked open, and the outside world met me.

But I never expected the one to pick me up would be my once-beloved brother, Theo.

Leaning against the car with impatience etched on his face, he sneered, "Stop playing the martyr. Let's go. The family's waiting for you."

"Family? What family do I have left?"

Theo, no longer the protective brother I once knew, grabbed my wrist roughly, dragging me into the car.

"It's Christmas. Everyone's waiting for you. Don't make us look bad. And if it weren't for Grandma's condition, do you think I'd waste my time with you?"

I shuddered, the memories of Grandma-the only person who ever truly loved me-flooding back.

She had always treated me as her own, even after Jade returned to the family. But when I was framed and imprisoned, she was away on pack duties, unable to help me. It was only her constant visits to the prison that kept me from losing hope.

Now, her health was failing, and the thought that I might never see her again weighed heavily on my soul.

Theo shoved a gift into my arms, and I stared at the small box with a growing sense of dread.

It wasn't a high-end gown as I had hoped but a delicate metal necklace with a small keychain engraved with my name.

Underneath the keychain was a note, and when I read it. The handwriting was unmistakable-Jade's.

"You think being out of prison means freedom? Remember, it's only temporary. The key to your cage is always in my hands."

I slipped the necklace into my pocket, knowing that even if I showed it to Theo, he'd accuse me of trying to tarnish Jade's image.

"Take a shower when we get home. Afterward, go see Grandma," Theo said coldly.

When we arrived at the hospital, I could hear my parents' voices-sweet as always-but they were soon drowned out by Jade's insufferable whines.

Theo scowled, but his eyes froze when he saw the bruises on my arms. "Rona, is this some kind of pity stunt? Do you think we'll fall for this?"

I shook my head, but before I could speak, he interrupted. "Enough. Get dressed. I don't have time for your games."

As I entered Grandma's room, my heart shattered at the sight of her frail form. Tears welled in my eyes as she reached out, pulling me into a tight embrace.

"Rona, my dear... You're finally home. My sweet granddaughter."

My years of suffering seemed to bleed out all at once. I couldn't hold it in any longer.

"Don't worry. The truth will come to light, and you will get the justice you deserve," Grandma whispered, her hand gently caressing my head.

But my parents weren't so forgiving.

"What's all this talk of justice?Rona owes Jade everything. What's there to discuss?"

Grandma coughed violentl. "You're insane! How dare you turn everything on Rona? You pushed her into this situation!"

It felt like time rewound, bringing me back to that fateful Christmas-the day I lost everything.

I had cooked a huge feast for the family, preparing a perfect meal. But when my father brought Jade in, announcing her as the rightful heir of the White pack, the real alpha's daughter, my world shattered.

I had accepted my fate-endured their cold treatment, even handed over my engagement to Sebastian, the Alpha of the River Pack, to Jade without protest.

But it wasn't enough.

Two months later, Jade crashed a car and fled, and when the truth came out, they demanded that I take the fall and go to prison for her.

I begged, I cried, even knelt before them, but their response was always the same.

"You owe Jade everything. It's just three years in prison. Stop being so dramatic."

I shook my head, my voice colder than I had ever heard it before. "I won't make a scene. But once I'm done here, I'm leaving the White Flower Pack. I'll sever all ties with the White family."

My parents stared at me, then sneered. "You think we'll feel sorry for you? You ruined Jade's life for three years, and now you think you can just walk away?"

And then Jade chimed in, her eyes gleaming with malice. "Oh, come on, sister. You wouldn't leave before my engagement to Alpha Sebastian, would you? If you don't show up, people might think you're still harboring feelings for him."

"Fine. If you want me to show up, then I'll do just that. But once you're wed, I'll be gone. From the White Pack. From the White family. Forever."

Grandma sighed, waving them out.

"Enough, let me have some peace. Everyone out, except Rona. I don't want to see anyone else today."

Once they left, she turned to me with a reassuring smile.

"Don't be afraid, Rona. I've already set up a will. You've grown up under my watch. I won't let you fall into the hands of people who would abuse you."

My heart clenched as I looked at her frail face, and I nodded solemnly.

Later that night, Theo came to pick me up again.

Once in the car, he spoke coldly, "Jade's getting married. She wants you to help her pick a wedding ring tomorrow. Get ready."

I froze for a moment. "Why me? Why would you want me to help her pick a ring? Our relationship doesn't even come close to that."

"I promised I'd attend the wedding. As for the rest, it's non-negotiable. If you're unhappy..."

Before I could respond, he interrupted.

"You've taken Jade's life for so many years. What's wrong with helping her pick a ring?"

"Rona, as long as you're in this family, you don't have the right to refuse."

He rolled down the window, letting the cold wind rush in.

"Time to wake up."

Already suffering from a cold, Theo ordered the driver to speed up, pushing me further into discomfort.

The cold air slapped against my face, making it hard to breathe.

When we finally reached home, I was a mess, my body battered and chilled.

But Theo's eyes showed no trace of sympathy.

"This is the consequence of not listening. Remember, you're just a dog in this family. Whatever we tell you to do, you must obey."

Inside, Jade was leaning on my mother's shoulder, acting sweet, asking for a ten thousand increase in her allowance.

My father laughed, teasing her.

"When you need money, tell me, but tell me who you love more, Daddy or Mommy?"

I stood there awkwardly, an outsider.

They barely acknowledged me when they saw me, just a casual nod.

"Take the top floor storage. Jade doesn't have a room for her drawing tools, so we'll clear yours for her."

"Fine. I'll do that."

I retreated to my room, locked the door, and collapsed, too afraid to let the tears fall.

As I forced myself to sleep, I felt someone's hand gently stroke my hair.

It must have been my mother, right?

But no, I immediately dismissed that thought. How could it be her? She was too busy pleasing Jade now to care about me.

The next morning, Jade sent me a message.

"Remember, you promised to come with me this afternoon to pick a marriage agency, right? Brother should have told you about it. Oh, and Alpha Sabastian will be there too."

I clenched my fingers tightly, my breath growing heavier.

I knew she was intentionally trying to humiliate me, but the current situation left me with no choice but to comply.

Once I entered the living room, I casually picked at the leftover food they had abandoned.

Just as I was about to retreat to my room, Jade called out to me.

"Sis, you're really pitiful now, aren't you?"

"now you can't even have a decent meal..."

As I was about to step back, Jade suddenly grabbed my wrist.

"You should understand your place by now, right? It's better not to think about competing with me. If you do, I'll make sure you regret it."

I let out a cold laugh.

"All this effort to compete with me for these things? Then why did you even let me come back? I've already said I'd leave."

The pressure in Jade's grip increased gradually.

"What if you can't make up your mind and show up again to steal from me?"

"Sis, I want you to fully understand-this family, and Alpha Sabastian's heart, have no place for you anymore."

At that moment, hurried footsteps echoed from outside, and I instinctively looked up.

But as soon as Jade saw the figure approaching, she released my wrist and tumbled down the stairs.

"Jade!"

Alpha Sabastian had just entered the door and witnessed the scene. He rushed to the bottom of the stairs, lifting Jade in his arms.

"Alpha Sabastian, don't blame my sister. It's my fault I lost my balance and fell."

With that weak sentence, Jade passed out in his arms.

I stood there, conflicted, wanting to explain myself, but my words failed to leave my lips.

"Rona, are you out of your mind? What did Jade do to you for you to treat her like this?"

Alpha Sabastian called for the pack doctor. After hanging up, he glared at me, seething with anger.

His face twisted with disappointment. "If anything happens to Jade, your parents will definitely send you back to prison!"

They could treat me however they liked, but I couldn't bear the thought of returning to that place.

"I didn't push her. She wanted to prove she was more important to you, so she did this herself."

"Sabastian, we grew up together. You know I would never do such a thing, right?"

But the Alpha Sabastian who once promised to protect me forever, now simply turned his gaze away coldly.

"I don't know. All I saw was you push Jade down."

Hearing that, the last shred of hope I had shattered completely.

Jade, still lying on the ground, slowly opened her eyes.

After a brief moment of eye contact, her lips curled into a faint smile.

Even from this distance, I could clearly read her lips.

She silently mouthed, "You lost."

I turned to leave for my room, but Jade called me again.

"Sis, my head hurts. Would you come with me to the pack medical center?"

Reluctantly, I followed them.

On the way, Alpha Sabastian clutched Jade's hand tightly, his eyes filled with tenderness.

He kept asking if she was okay, constantly checking on her, as though fearing any harm would come to her.

In that haze, memories of the three years I spent in prison resurfaced.

Back then, I had asked Sabastian for help, but he merely told me, "Even if you get locked up, you won't suffer."

"Rona, you've had Jade's good life for so many years. Stop being so dramatic now."

Three years in prison wasn't considered suffering, but Jade falling just once had him so frazzled.

My chest felt tight, suffocating, but I forced myself to remain calm, putting on an indifferent face.

When we arrived at the pack medical center, Sabastian was pacing outside, restless.

Even when the doctor assured him Jade would be fine, he still couldn't relax.