This was the first time I had stood so close to Adrian. I looked at Dylan, silently pleading for help.

But Dylan was focused on peeling crawfish and feeding them to Ivy. He looked tenderly at her.

A rush of anger surged through me.

I clenched my fists and smiled at Adrian.

“How could I hate you? I always liked someone like you. You’re steady and dependable.”

The moment I finished speaking, I heard a glass shatter. It was Dylan.

He shot up from his seat with his eyes blazing in fury.

“Mom, you can all carry on. We’ll step out for a bit.”

With that, he grabbed me with one hand and Ivy with the other before storming out.

Once we were outside, Dylan threw me into the back seat of his sports car.

Before I could react, he floored the accelerator, and the car shot forward.

The speed slammed me back against the seat.

I had a heart condition, so I panicked. My voice shook as I said, “Dylan, slow down!”

He struck the steering wheel and roared without looking back, “You think I’m not as steady and dependable as my brother? Fine! I’ll show you how unstable I am!”

With that, he slammed the accelerator even harder, and the car shot down the expressway like an arrow released from a bow.

I was tossed back and forth inside the car. My head repeatedly struck the door and the seat until I was close to passing out from pain.

I had no idea how long it lasted before the car suddenly stopped.

The moment the door opened, I collapsed onto the ground and vomited uncontrollably. I was in a sorry state.

Ivy walked over to me.

“Are you okay, Nina? I’m sorry! It’s all my fault. I plan to intern at the Jenkin Group after my graduation. So, Dylan was helping me make a good impression on Mrs. Jenkin today. It was just a favor. Didn’t he tell you?”

She turned with tearful eyes toward Dylan. She looked hurt.

“Dylan, why didn’t you tell Nina? Are you trying to drive a wedge between us? How are we supposed to get along now?”

Dylan pulled her close and soothed her in a gentle voice.

“It’s okay… Don’t cry. I didn’t expect her to be so out of sync with me.”

Ivy pushed him away with a pouty face before crouching down again. She pretended to help me up.

The next second, she fell right on top of me.

Before I could even cry out in pain, she screamed, “Ow!!! Nina, why did you pull me so suddenly? I was only trying to help you!”

Dylan walked over without hesitation and kicked me.

“Nina Surridge, are you out of your mind?!”

I lay on the ground. I gasped for air and trembled in pain. I could not form a single word in my defense.

All I could do was stare at them in desperation and mouth the words with all my strength. “My heart… I don’t feel well… Please… Help me…”

Ivy nestled into Dylan’s chest and sobbed quietly.

“Dylan hates liars, Nina. Faking a condition to make him feel guilty won’t work.”

Her words only fueled Dylan’s rage.

“Nina, you, of all people, have now learned to be so fake and manipulative!

“Stay here and think about what you did! When you’re done, book a hotel room nearby and wait for me. Tonight, I’ll teach you how to behave properly.”

With that, he held Ivy in his arms, got into the car, and sped off without looking back.

The pain in my chest worsened until my vision darkened.

Then, everything went black.

When I woke up, I was in a hospital bed.

I turned to find Adrian sitting by the bed. He was working away on his laptop.

Without even looking up, he said flatly, “You’re awake.”

I quickly looked away. I felt flustered.

“H-How long was I out?”

Adrian shut his laptop and handed me a glass of water.

“Since yesterday afternoon… It’s been sixteen hours.”

After a brief pause, he added, “Your family called. They said they had something to take care of and would visit later.”

I took the glass of water. My eyes stung, and I let out a bitter chuckle.

He was lying.

Ever since Dad had brought Sheila and Ivy into our home a year ago, I had become invisible to everyone in the family.

Once, I fainted from low blood sugar right in front of Dad, but he barely spared me a glance before leaving with Sheila and Ivy for shopping.

I knew no one cared enough to come to see me.

I forced out a smile and looked at Adrian. “Thank you.”

He offered a quiet hum. “It’s what a boyfriend is supposed to do.”

I froze.

Adrian met my gaze.

“You mentioned yesterday that you liked someone like me. So… let’s try dating.”

I waved my hands in panic. “I-I’m sorry! I really wasn’t thinking straight yesterday! Dylan and I are actually—”

“Does anyone know you’re together?” He cut me off. “Has anyone ever acknowledged your relationship?”

My words died in my throat. I could not get anything out.

“If a relationship isn’t known to anyone, I don’t see it as one. I need someone to marry just so that my family will stop pressuring me. Just think about it.”

With that, he picked up his laptop from the table and left the hospital room without sparing me another look.

I sat on the hospital bed. My mind was still in a daze.

Before I could process anything, the door suddenly swung open.

Dad and Sheila stormed in angrily. Dylan followed right behind them.

Dad slapped me hard across the face.

“What did I ever do to end up with a daughter like you?! You’re worse than an animal!”

Sheila threw herself forward. She cried and thumped her chest.

“Nina, if you really hate me and Ivy so much, just tell us honestly! Your dad and I can get a divorce. How could you do something so vicious and send someone to hurt her?!”

I touched my smarting cheek in confusion and disbelief.

“What are you talking about? I’ve been here since yesterday afternoon…”

Dylan rushed over and grabbed me by the throat.

“Stop faking it! I was just doing Ivy a favor. Did you really have to go this far? I can’t believe you sent thugs to assault her!”

I shook my head frantically. “It wasn’t me… I-I really didn’t…”

In a fit of rage, Dylan shoved me. I fell sideways, and the back of my head struck the corner of the bedside table.

Warm blood oozed down my forehead.

Dylan froze for a moment before instinctively reaching out toward me.

Just then, Ivy entered the ward in a hospital gown. Her face was very pale. She dropped to her knees in front of me.

“Nina, please, just stop this! I know you love Dylan. I’ll disappear from your lives right away and never return. Will that be enough?”

Dad quickly pulled her to her feet. He looked upset.

He turned and shot me a vicious glare.

“Ivy’s already lost her dad. How could you treat her like this? Are you even human? I wish I had never had a daughter like you!”

“But I lost my mom, too!”

I let out a bitter chuckle as I wiped away the blood and tears that ran down my face.

“And now… I guess I’ve lost my dad as well.”

Dad raised his hand again to strike me, but Dylan grabbed his arm.

“Sir, that’s enough! Don’t hit her.”

He then looked at me. His tone grew noticeably softer as he said, “How about this? Apologize to Ivy and swear you won’t hurt her again, and we’ll consider this settled.”

Sheila quickly chimed in, “Dylan’s single. What’s so wrong if Ivy likes him? It’s not like she’s stealing your boyfriend. Don’t be so vicious!”

I looked straight at Dylan. My gaze shone with a final glimmer of hope.

“Dylan, I just need the truth from you. Tell me honestly. Are you single?”

His hand froze midair before it could rest on my shoulder.

The next second, his gaze sharpened with certainty.

“Of course, I’m single.”

I laughed and shook all over.

“Very well, Dylan. Remember what you said today. We’re over!”

He frowned and was about to speak, but I shoved him aside. I got out of bed and dropped to my knees on the floor.

I first turned to Ivy.

“I’m really sorry. It’s all my fault. Please forgive me, and… I wish you and Dylan every happiness.”

Then, I turned to Dad as well.

“Dad, since you hate having me as your daughter so much, maybe we should just cut ties once and for all.”

Dad pointed at me. He gritted his teeth in fury as he yelled, “Fine! Let Dylan and Ivy be witnesses today. From now on, whatever happens to you, good or bad, has nothing to do with me! I’ll consider you dead!”

Finally, I turned to Dylan with a bitter smile.

“Are you satisfied now? My wound really hurts, and I need to get it treated. Can you let me go now?”

Dylan looked at me. His eyes flickered in conflict.

“Nina, I’ll get the best doctor for you. Get some rest. We’ll talk later.”

After that, he left the hospital room with the others.

Tears streamed down my face the moment the door closed.

With trembling hands, I pulled out my phone and texted Adrian.

Three days later, when I was discharged from the hospital, I received a text from Dylan.

[Today’s my birthday party. Adrian said he’ll bring his girlfriend over. After he makes it official, I’ll tell my mom about us. I won’t go back on my word.

[But can you please sit this one out? Ivy wants to come and see what it’s like, but she’s still shaken and a little scared of seeing you.

[I’ll spend the whole day with you tomorrow to make up for it, okay?]

I did not reply. After turning off the screen, I slipped the phone into my pocket and stepped into the Maybach waiting in front of me.

That night, Dylan’s birthday party took place in the city’s most luxurious banquet hall.

I walked in wearing a champagne-colored evening gown.

Unexpectedly, I ran straight into Dylan and Ivy.

Startled, Ivy hid behind Dylan.

“Nina, why are you dressed like that? Everyone here today is dressed very respectfully. Don’t tell me you came here to land a rich heir?”

Her words instantly drew the attention of everyone around us. They all shot me dirty looks.

I shot her a cold glance and turned to leave. I just did not want to bother with her.

However, Dylan grabbed my wrist with a grim expression on his face.

“Didn’t I tell you not to come? Leave, now! Whatever it is, we’ll talk about it later.”

I yanked my hand out of his grip.

“I didn’t come here to celebrate your birthday.”

He sneered.

“Drop the act! You’re afraid Ivy will steal me away, so you deliberately dressed up nicely and came here to catch my attention. I already told you not to worry.”

He reached out and tried to ruffle my hair.

“Stop making a fuss. Be good and go home now.”

After that, he tried to drag me out of there.

Just then, a deep voice echoed from the center stage of the banquet hall. “Everyone, please allow me to introduce my wife, Nina Surridge.”