Read with BonusRead with Bonus

CHAPTER 2 New person, new life

"Did you ever see Lucia as a friend?"

"Never!"

"Do you understand the feeling of inferiority? Every time I stood next to her, I felt that way. Inferior to a girl eight years younger than me? Humiliating!" Anna's eyes revealed intense hatred.

Seeing this, Mr. Miller quickly comforted her, "It's all in the past, right? Aren't you the winner now? Lucia has nothing left. Do you think a pampered princess can achieve anything?"

"But I'm still not satisfied!"

"Anna, making Lucia experience poverty and helplessness is the cruelest revenge!" Mr. Miller whispered in Anna's ear.

Anna pondered and finally nodded. Yes, she had to make Lucia go through the poverty she did!

"Now can we…" Mr. Miller's hands began to roam over Anna's body. From her beautiful face to her deepest places, his aged hands slid over.

"Hmph, you fox spirit!" Mr. Miller couldn't hold back and exclaimed.

In the quiet night, the two of them devoured each other.

Meanwhile, at the hospital, Lucia lay motionless on the bed, repeatedly muttering, "Daddy."

Her father's body had been taken away! She no longer had her father.

Lucia's tears flowed nonstop. She knew everything. She knew Anna was the one who accused her father, and she knew the documents were forged by her. Because she knew her father better than anyone, he loved the hospital like his own life. How could he embezzle funds? But so what? She knew, but she had no evidence.

Lucia kept hitting her chest, guilt and regret overwhelming her. If she hadn't brought the "white-eyed wolf" home, things would have been different.

Her father wouldn't have died, and her mother wouldn't have gone mad.

It was her fault, all her fault.

Lucia cried silently. Memories of her father and mother flooded her mind.

"Lucia, change your clothes and come eat!"

"Sweetie, what do you want for dinner tonight?"

"My dear Lucia, we'll go out this weekend!"

"Lucia, you won't be afraid to go abroad alone, right?"

The voices echoed in her ears, everything seemed like it had happened yesterday.

"Daddy, mommy, I miss you." Lucia choked, biting her lip to stop herself from sobbing out loud.

In the quiet night, the dim neon lights of the hospital shone through the window, casting weak rays on the cold white walls. The hospital room was silent, only the sound of Lucia's crying, like sharp knives cutting through the stillness.

Lucia curled up on the hospital bed, her trembling hands took out a crumpled family photo from her pocket. She caressed each familiar face. In the photo, her parents were smiling brightly. Their family had once been so happy.

At this moment, no words could describe the pain gnawing at her heart. Compared to facing reality, she'd rather die.

Lucia dragged her tired body off the bed, her weak legs staggered on the cold tiled floor. The hospital room, bathed in dim light, every dark corner seemed to swallow the faint hope left in her. Her swollen eyes fixated on the fruit knife lying quietly on the small table nearby.

Pain and loss engulfed her, tearing away all remaining faith and will to live. Her father's sudden departure was a sharp blade that ripped her heart apart, leaving unhealable wounds. The father she always loved, the steadfast support throughout

her life, was gone forever.

Lucia approached the table, her trembling hands grasped the knife. The cold metal sent a shiver through her. Tears streamed down her face, falling onto the floor. She wanted to follow her father, to see him again in the afterlife, believing that only death could free her from this nightmare.

"Daddy, I can't live without you," she whispered, her voice hoarse.

"I miss you so much."

Her father's image appeared in her mind, his gentle smile, warm eyes, beautiful memories now just shattered pieces. Lucia felt her heart being squeezed, each beat excruciating. She didn't want to live in this loneliness, didn't want to endure the empty, hopeless days anymore.

She stared blankly, as if the knife was her only escape.

Her slender hands trembled as she grasped the knife. The cold metal sent chills through her.

"Yes, only death is the way to freedom," Lucia murmured.

Only death could reunite her with her father.

Lucia placed the blade on her wrist, her eyes half-closed as if awaiting something. In that brief moment, her father's image became vivid in her mind.

She whispered hoarsely,

"Daddy, I'm coming to you."

Lucia's hand shook violently, her eyes fixed on the sharp blade. In that fleeting moment, all surrounding sounds vanished, leaving only the chaotic heartbeat echoing in her head. The first cut pierced her skin, a sharp pain spreading, but the physical pain couldn't compare to the mental agony consuming her soul.

Blood gushed from the wound, the red liquid flowing down her hand, dripping onto the white floor. The red blood resembled vibrant petals blooming on the white background, creating a beautiful yet horrifying scene. Lucia watched the blood drops fall, feeling like she was sinking deeper into an inescapable nightmare.

Her body grew cold, each breath became difficult. Tears streamed down her cheeks, mingling with the blood flowing ceaselessly.

In the hospital room, the ticking of the wall clock counted her remaining seconds.

"1…2…3…4" Lucia muttered along with each tick.

Blood kept flowing, the white bed, walls, and floor now stained red, forming a tragic, despairing scene.

The room dimmed, darkness threatening to swallow her.

Outside the window, the night fell, bringing bone-chilling cold. Winds howled through the gaps, chilling the room. The pale moonlight cast weak beams on the floor, like the last flickers of hope fading away.

In that moment, life and death intertwined, their boundary remarkably thin.

Previous Chapter
Next Chapter