Lincoln stormed off, slamming the door behind him.

I sneered, thinking that this was nothing in comparison with what he'd done to the original Carissa.

I wasn't happy for too long, though. I suddenly felt a surge of warmth in my nose, and it smelled metallic. I hurriedly wiped my nose with some tissue. I only realized there was blood all over it when I looked at it.

I'd almost forgotten that Carissa had just been diagnosed with bone cancer. She only had ten months to live, but she'd actually thought about sleeping with Lincoln once more so she could fall pregnant. Then, she would leave and have the child be the final witness to their marriage.

What a fool.

I wanted to tell Carissa that someone like Lincoln wasn't worth any of that. The forceful tone I'd taken with him earlier was the opposite of Carissa, who obeyed his every command.

We were polar opposites, yet Lincoln hadn't noticed anything different. It was clear that Carissa meant nothing to him. He wasn't worthy of her love!

I went upstairs and picked out an expensive custom-made dress from the wardrobe. Then, I made myself up before grabbing my medical report and preparing to head to the hospital again.

Carissa loved Lincoln so much that she didn't bother maintaining her appearance. All she wanted to do was cook and clean for him. Even after being diagnosed with bone cancer, she'd ignored the doctor's advice. Lincoln was all she could think about.

I wasn't the original Carissa, though. I had to live differently. Now, the first thing I had to do was survive in this novel. I had to go to the hospital and undergo surgery to cure myself. I had to remain alive so I could slowly torment Lincoln and Suzanne.

I opened the front door, but before I could step out, a figure lunged at me.

"I was the one who did you wrong, Carrie. Don't blame Linc for this! I'm already pregnant with his child, so please, agree to the divorce! I'll do anything as long as you agree—even death!"

Suzanne wore a white dress. She wept while kneeling before me and clinging to my legs. It was as if I owed her something when, in truth, she'd stolen my husband.

"That's exactly what I wanted to hear. You'll do anything, right? Get rid of the child and slap yourself, then. I'll forgive you after that!" I crossed my arms and icily watched her performance.

She looked at me tearfully, seemingly surprised that her act had failed. "The baby is innocent, Carrie. I can do anything you want, but the baby is Linc's. I can't hurt it…"

Her weeping grew louder, making it seem like I'd genuinely bullied her.

Carissa had gotten three abortions for Lincoln's sake. For the first two times, he'd dragged her to the hospital and forced her into it. But for the third and last time, she'd done it without his knowledge.

My eyes prickled at the thought of that. A burst of strength surged in me. I broke free of Suzanne's grip and spoke to her harshly, "You said you were willing to do anything, even if it cost you your life, right? Go to hell, then. I'll sign the divorce papers and have them buried with you during your funeral."

"How can you be so cruel, Carissa? How can you want me to die when I'm pregnant? You're a murderer!" Suzanne's face twisted with rage as she snapped at me. She'd finally revealed her true colors.

I was cruel? I was a murderer? I was stunned. She was great at twisting the truth, wasn't she?

"Drop your act around me if you don't have the nerve to end your life. You disgust me—get the hell out of my way!" I sidestepped her to leave.

To my surprise, she fell backward and rolled down two steps. Then, she cried out in pain and screamed, "Why did you push me, Carrie? How could you be so cruel? My stomach hurts…"

Based on my experience, I knew the male lead would show up at this point. He would stand up for the female side character and reprimand the female lead.

Sure enough, I saw Lincoln hurry toward us, his expression anxious.

I narrowed my eyes at Suzanne. So, she wanted to frame me for hurting her when I hadn't even touched her? I would make her wish come true, then.

I walked down the steps and stomped on her hand, grinding the pointy tip of my heel into her palm.

Suzanne immediately howled in pain, and her tears flowed. Her pain was much more genuine now compared to earlier.

"Honestly, you knew I wasn't someone to be trifled with and that I would get physical, yet you still served yourself on a silver platter so I could hit you. Could you be more pathetic?" I felt dissatisfied despite saying that. So, I slapped Suzanne twice as a way of venting the original Carissa's anger!

"What the hell are you doing, Carissa? How dare you hit Suzy!" Lincoln darted toward Suzanne, who was weeping. He lifted her into his arms.

He called me "Carissa", yet she was "Suzy". It was a stark contrast.

"Why wouldn't I dare? I'll hit her whenever I want! Besides, she came here and asked for a beating. Ask her if you don't believe me!" I snapped.

"It's all my fault, Linc. Don't blame Carrie for this. I'm the one who's done her wrong—I'm the one at fault." Suzanne covered her mouth and started sobbing in earnest.

If not for me reading the original novel, I would've fallen for her performance. I shrugged and said, "Did you hear that? She told you not to blame me."

"You're evil, Carissa! You only pick on Suzy because she's kind-hearted!" Lincoln glared at me. Then, he turned and left with Suzanne in his arms. "I'll take you to the hospital first, Suzy. Don't worry—I won't let Carissa get away with this."

I pulled out a wet wipe from my bag and wiped the hand that had touched Suzanne earlier. It was too bad I'd had to dirty my hand while getting back at the latter.

…

I took a cab to the hospital and waited my turn to see the doctor. As I walked down the corridor, I ran into Lincoln and Suzanne. She was still in Lincoln's arms.

Her hand was bandaged, and she leaned against him while smiling sweetly. I silently cursed them on Carissa's behalf.

"Why are you also at the hospital, Carrie? Do you feel ill?" Suzanne saw me. She put on a show of being concerned about me but tightened her grip on Lincoln.

"It's none of your business. Don't you know that everyone hates nosy people?" I said. I didn't need to play nice with her.

She leaned closer against Lincoln at my words, looking aggrieved.

Lincoln snapped, "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth, Carissa! Suzy was just worried about you!"

If looks could kill, I would already be six feet under. Still, I didn't care. I snorted and retorted, "I don't need her concern. I'd like to live a good, long life, thank you."

Suddenly, my heart clenched. I could tell this was the original Carissa's resentment. I stepped forward and eyed them. "You feel bad for her because I've said that one sentence in retort, don't you? What about me? You've said far worse things to me in the past, haven't you?

"Doesn't anyone feel bad for me? She's a gentle woman, but aren't I? I've damaged my body after getting an abortion three times because it's what you wanted. I might not ever be a mother anymore! Don't I have the right to feel aggrieved?

"You and I have been married for three years, yet you want to divorce me and make me leave without a penny to my name so you can be with your mistress. Time and time again, you and your mistress have acted lovey-dovey to my face. Can't I feel wronged over that?"

I let everything out. I wanted him to hear all the pain and suffering he'd put Carissa through over the years.

Lincoln frowned. His gaze softened a little, and he didn't say a word.