###7

"Nothing. You're just dreaming, confused," I murmured, sliding the phone beneath my pillow.

Daniel frowned, about to question me further, but his phone rang, interrupting the moment.

“Brother Daniel, I woke up and didn’t see you. I was so scared.”

His expression softened. “Be good. Don’t be afraid. I’ll be right there.”

He stood, glanced at me briefly, and added, “I’ll come pick you up when you’re discharged,” before walking out without another word.

He never looked back.

For two full days in the hospital, not a single person came to see me.

When I was discharged, I left alone, took a taxi back—no one waiting, no one asking.

But the house was far from empty.

The living room was crowded. People murmured in sympathy, comforted someone sobbing in the center.

It was Delilah—crying like a grieving child, wringing her hands pitifully.

I didn’t bother with her act. I went straight upstairs.

I was packing when the door creaked open behind me. My brother and Daniel stepped in, one after the other.

Their eyes landed on the suitcase next to me. For a second, both of them froze.

“Ava,” my brother asked, frowning, “where are you going?”

Daniel’s eyes narrowed with unease.

“Just sorting out some things left over from prison,” I replied coolly.

Relief washed over their faces.

My brother smiled, reaching into his pocket. “You hit your head in the explosion. Here—some ointment. Does it still hurt?”

Daniel pulled me gently toward a chair, pressing lightly against my sore shoulder.

“Sit still,” he said softly. “Don’t move, or it’ll reopen.”

Their concern was strange. Too careful. Too sudden. Too… off.

I stared at the two of them and asked flatly, “What’s going on? Why the sudden kindness?”

They exchanged glances. My brother hesitated before finally speaking.

“Ava… Delilah’s sick. Terminally ill.”

I blinked. So that’s why she cried so dramatically.

“She’s loved Daniel since she was little,” he continued. “But she’s never tried to fight you for him.”

“And now... she doesn’t have much time left. Her last wish is to wear a wedding dress and marry Daniel. Just a symbolic wedding. Ava, please… let her have this.”

Daniel quickly added, “Ava, it’s only for show. You’re the one I love. Always.”

My mother entered just then, eyes red from crying. “Poor Delilah… such a hard life. My poor daughter.”

My father followed, sighing deeply. “When our family was in crisis, it was Delilah who stepped up. Without her, we wouldn’t have recovered. As her father, I have to grant her last wish. It’s just a wedding, after all.”

They’d all made their choice.

I stared at them. For Delilah, they’d trade anything—maybe even me.

But I didn’t explode. I didn’t argue.

I just said calmly, “I don’t care. Do whatever you want.”

“Even if you do get married, I’d prefer not to be informed.”

Then I turned and walked out of the room.

They watched me go—silent, uneasy, unsure. My lack of reaction made them nervous.

Daniel rushed after me and grabbed my hand.

“Ava! I swear I only love you. Once Delilah’s ceremony is over, we’ll get married too, alright?”

But I had no intention of marrying him.

“Okay,” I said softly, pulling my hand free and continuing down the stairs.

There were still things I needed to pack.

In the living room, Delilah stood in my path, arms crossed and eyes gleaming with smugness.

“Hey,” she said sweetly, “you heard it, right? Daniel and I are getting married.”

I gave her a blank look. “Congratulations. I hope that finally puts your mind at ease.”

I moved to step around her, but she kicked my knee hard.

I staggered, and as I bent over in pain, she leaned in, voice dripping with venom.

“I lied. I’m not sick. I made that up to get what I want.”

“I’m going to take everything from you—your place in the Wren family, your man, your future. You’ll have nothing.”

“And prison? That hell you lived in? I made sure every second of it was tailored just for you.”

###8

"What?"

All the anger, the pain of over seven hundred days and nights, surged up and blanked my mind in an instant.

"You vicious snake, Delilah—I'll kill you!"

My slap landed hard across her face, leaving a crimson print. She fell with a sharp cry.

I lunged at her, fists flying.

"Ava, are you insane? You know Delilah’s sick and still attacked her!"

Dizzy and trembling, I was yanked off her. My brother shoved me to the floor.

"I didn’t do it—it was her! She bribed the prison—"

"Enough!" he barked. "We saw you hit her. Stop lying. Apologize."

Daniel rushed over, gathering the sobbing Delilah in his arms.

He glanced up at me—her scratches on his beloved’s face had flipped some switch inside him. His eyes darkened.

My parents said nothing, but their faces were etched with disappointment. The blame was always mine.

I knew, then. It didn’t matter what I said—they would never believe me. So why bother?

"I won’t apologize. Why should I bow to a monster like her?"

"Fine," my father snapped. "Send her back to prison. She can rot there until she admits her mistake."

At once, the bodyguards closed in. Their shadows surrounded me like vultures.

Suddenly, the memories slammed back—of lashes, electric shocks, of pain and shame in that hellhole they called a prison.

My whole body began to shake. My nails dug into my palms until blood welled up.

"I’m sorry..."

I broke.

I bent at the waist, a perfect 90 degrees.

"I was wrong. I’m sorry. I’m sorry..."

Ten times I apologized. They made me count them.

Someone hauled me upright. In my blurred vision, the man I once loved looked unfamiliar—twisted. That love had drained away with my dignity.

The wounds that had barely healed reopened, and blood began to stain through my clothes.

Daniel parted his lips, but I met his eyes and cut him off:

"Is that enough? Did it make your princess happy?"

Silence.

They stared at me, finally sensing something had cracked. Not just skin. Not just pride.

Something deeper.

I turned without a word.

Behind me, voices swirled—comforting Delilah, laughter mingling with sympathy. As if nothing had happened.

Then I heard her:

"The wedding was fake… but can I have a kiss from Daniel before I die?"

I paused on the stairs. My back to them, my heart numb.

Daniel hesitated. But my brother stepped in, smug:

"You and Delilah were childhood sweethearts. Won’t you grant her dying wish?"

My parents agreed.

And Daniel… he kissed her. Right there.

I didn’t cry. Didn’t blink.

Later, as I packed, a message popped up in Wren family group chat:

Mom: Ava, we’re planning a wedding for Delilah and Daniel. We’ll be at the hotel until then. Just come on the day.

Dad: Delilah might be upset if you show up. It’s okay if you don’t.

Brother: Don’t come. Don’t ruin her happiness.

Daniel called me.

"You don’t need to travel. Rest. After the wedding, I’ll take you on that honeymoon you wanted. Penguins in Antarctica, remember?"

I smiled faintly.

"Then I won’t go. I’ve prepared a gift. Hope you like it."

Click.

Two days later, they married.

Hours after I left.

That morning, I handed a courier a thick envelope.

Inside: a signed kidney donation agreement.

A medical certificate proving my stomach was perforated after drinking on behalf of the Wren family.

A damning video.

And one final letter, announcing their marriage to the world.

Then, I picked up my suitcase and left.

As I passed a trash bin, I tossed in the diamond engagement ring he gave me—like the worthless promise it was.

And as the plane roared overhead, I walked forward.

Toward a future that was wide, and quiet, and free.