Chapter 2

The manager took one look at Selene's red-rimmed eyes and didn't dare to ask anything more. He quickly settled the paperwork. Then, he said respectfully, "We'll process everything as soon as possible and let you know when you'll be able to get on the island." Selene signed her name without hesitation. Then, she pulled out a black card from her purse. She swiped it with a steady hand, without the slightest tremble. … By the time Selene got home, it was already dark. When she opened the door, warm light spilled from the living room, lighting up a cozy scene on the couch. Malcolm was peeling an apple for Stella, and he held the fruit knife with much grace. The Sinclair brothers sat around the couch, and Alistair was holding up some pills. He coaxed gently, "Stella, it's time to take your medicine." "They're too bitter," Stella whined and scrunched up her nose. "I want candy." Alexander immediately pulled out a milk candy from his pocket and said, "It was your favorite when you were little. I've always kept some for you." Selene stood in the entryway. Her fists were clenched so tightly that her nails dug deep into her palms. "Selene?" Malcolm was the first to notice her. He put down the fruit knife and walked over. "Why weren't you home today? Where did you go?" His voice was still gentle, as if he hadn't been the one kissing Stella in his arms outside the courthouse that afternoon. Selene didn't speak. Her gaze passed him and landed on Stella. Malcolm followed her line of sight. Then, he explained matter-of-factly, "Stella came back because she's terminally ill. Her last wish is for us to stay with her during her final days." Then, he paused and added, "She was wrong to run away from the wedding, but she's still your sister. For your sake—" "For my sake?" Selene suddenly laughed. "Or maybe, you just never stopped thinking about her?" Malcolm frowned slightly. "Selene…" "Selene!" Alaric came over. He reached out to ruffle her hair out of habit, but his hand froze halfway. Instead, he patted her shoulder and said, "Stella doesn't have much time left. It's not like we can't make room for one more person in this house." "That's right," Alistair added. "She was unruly as a child. But life has beaten her down, and she has learned her lesson. In the end, we're still family." Alexander walked over and added to the pressure. "Selene, you've always been the most sensible, right?" As Selene listened to them talking one after another, the pain in her chest grew so sharp it turned numb. Finally, she nodded lightly. "Okay." The four men all let out a sigh of relief, and their expressions softened with satisfaction. "Stay here with Stella," Malcolm said gently. "We'll go get her room ready." Stella didn't approach Selene until the men's footsteps could no longer be heard upstairs. She looked sickly and pale, but there was a palpable smugness in her eyes. "Selene, it's been five years. I brought you a gift." Selene instinctively took a step back. Ever since they were children, Stella's "gifts" had been dolls with needles hidden in them or cakes laced with laxatives. "Don't worry." Stella smiled brightly, looking innocent. "I won't hurt you like I did five years ago anymore." With that, she shoved a gift box into Selene's arms and even "helpfully" opened the lid. Selene screamed. A pitch-black venomous snake shot out and sank its fangs into her wrist. The sharp pain spread in an instant, and she flung the box away out of reflex. It hit Stella square on the shoulder. Stella collapsed to the ground and let out a shrill, anguished cry. "It hurts!" "What happened?" The four men ran downstairs to such a scene before them. Stella was on the ground in tears, and Selene clutched her bleeding wrist with a pale face. Malcolm was the first to rush over. He shoved Selene aside and yelled, "What are you doing?" Selene stumbled into a coffee table, and pain shot through her lower back. "Stella was kind enough to give you a gift," Alaric said coldly as he helped Stella up. "And this is how you treat her?" "It was a snake." Selene broke out in a cold sweat from the pain. "She set a venomous snake on me!" "You're making things up!" Alexander cut her off sharply. "Stella can barely walk. How could she possibly get a snake to harm you?" Stella sobbed, tears streaming down her face. "Malcolm, Alaric, Alistair, and Alexander, I just wanted to give her a gift and make peace. I didn't think she still hated me so much that she would accuse me like this." Selene hadn't expected Stella's acting would still be this good after five years. She swallowed her frustration and forced herself to reach for the gift box. She said, "I'm not lying! If you don't believe me, just look—" "Enough!" Malcolm grabbed her wrist, and blood poured from the snake bite. "She's your sister, and she's sick. How could you be so cruel?" Alistair already had Stella in his arms. "We need to get her to the hospital first. She can't handle any stress now." The four of them hurried out. No one spared Selene another glance. "It really… was a snake," she mumbled as she sank to her knees. The venom spread, and her vision blurred. She saw the housekeeper, Emma White, rush over in a panic. Selene heard the woman's terrified shouting, but she was beginning to lose consciousness. "Mrs. Nicholson!" Emma kneeled beside her, trembling as she patted Selene's face. "Wake up!" … The ambulance sped toward the hospital with its sirens wailing. But just as the medics pushed Selene into the emergency room, the doctors were urgently called away. "I'm sorry. All doctors have been called to the VIP ward," the nurse said hesitantly. "Ms. Stella's condition suddenly got worse. We've been told all doctors must attend to her today. You'll have to go somewhere else." Emma's voice shook with urgency. "No, we can't! Mrs. Nicholson can't hold on much longer. If we move hospitals, she'll die!" Selene lay on the hospital bed, slipping in and out of consciousness. She was drenched in cold sweat from the pain, but the ache in her heart hurt even more. She fumbled for her phone and used the last of her strength to call Malcolm. The phone rang for a long time before he finally picked up. "Malcolm…" Her voice was faint as a whisper. "A venomous snake bit me. Can you please… send a doctor." "Selene!" Malcolm's tone was as cold as ice. "Stella's condition has gotten worse because you pushed her! She has cancer. How could you be so cruel? Even now, you're still putting on an act?" "No, I really am—" He cut off the call heartlessly. Selene clutched her phone and wept silently, tears sliding down her cheeks. She curled up in pain, and her consciousness grew fuzzier and fuzzier. "Mrs. Nicholson!" Emma cried as she shook Selene. "Don't fall asleep! Please, stay with me!" But Selene couldn't hold on anymore. It hurt so much, and she was so tired. Slowly, she closed her eyes.