Chapter 3

A single sentence from the system nearly brought me to tears. Wiping away the tears at the corner of my eyes, I felt utterly humiliated. Then, Oscar walked to my side. He was about to speak when Eveline suddenly screamed and rushed over. "Oscar, how did you get hurt so badly?" she cried out, her voice sharp with panic. "You—" Before she could finish, I stepped forward and cut her off with a slap. She clutched her swollen cheek, staring at me in disbelief. At the exact moment, a fierce blow knocked me to the ground. Martin pointed at me, his face twisted with anger as he shouted, "Caroline! We've spoiled you rotten! Apologize to Eveline!" I lay sprawled on the ground. Spitting out a mouthful of blood, I countered, "Apologize? What did I do wrong? I'm a two-time divorcee, and you're telling me I can't even take a swing at the mistress?" At that, Martin's anger boiled over. His voice rose sharply as he roared, "What nonsense are you spouting? Nathan and Eveline were a couple long before you decided to interfere! How did I end up with a sister as shameless as you?" I gave a hollow laugh, then snapped, "So, I'm the shameless one? Nathan was my fiance, yet now, I'm the third wheel?" "Our engagement was dissolved years ago," Nathan replied, looking at me with disdain. "The Rodgers family would never accept a woman with your reputation!" My third brother, Albus Bergling, dragged me up from the floor. "Carol! Apologize!" he snapped. But I stayed silent as my gaze swept over the people before me. Martin looked indifferent, Albus looked disgusted, while Nathan looked as though he wished me dead. On the other hand, Oscar frowned. His lips moved, yet he said nothing in the end. The scene mirrored what happened a year ago. Back then, Eveline's frequent contact with Oscar led fans to label her a stalker. Seeing her being attacked, he couldn't bear it. He took to Twitter and revealed that Eveline was the Berglings' heiress. Yet I, the true heiress, took the blame for her. "You always have bodyguards with you. Eveline is alone." In shock, I protested. I broke down in tears and threw a tantrum. Still, the looks they gave me mirror the one I received now. Inside, nothing was left but a hollow weariness. I couldn't even muster the energy to defend myself. Pulling free from Albus' grip, I bolted for the living room and seized the knife lying on the table. Seeing that, Oscar panicked and rushed over, but Eveline clutched his arm and cried out, "Carol, what are you doing?" A twisted smile tugged at my lips as I stared straight at her. "I'm apologizing," I said. I didn't spare another glance at Martin, Albus, and Nathan—all on high alert. In one swift motion, I raised my hand and plunged the knife into my chest. Amid the chaos of screams, I smiled through tears. "I'll pay with my life. Will that do? Are you satisfied?" Warm, thick blood poured from the wound. Lightheaded and unsteady from blood loss, I swayed where I stood. Screams blurred together as my vision dimmed, but still, I caught glimpses of the men's horrified expressions. Oscar lunged forward and held me, shouting as if he had lost his mind. "Call an ambulance!" … I woke to the strong smell of disinfectant. My heart leaped at the sea of white around me. Was I finally back? Turning slightly, I met Martin's weary, bloodshot eyes. Annoyed, I shut my eyes tight. For once, Martin's raspy tone felt unbearably shrill. "Caroline! Since when did you learn to pull suicidal stunts for sympathy?" Upon hearing that, my annoyance deepened. There was something under my head that pressed painfully. I reached up and pulled it out. It was an old, worn protective charm. When I was 12 years old, I had a high fever for an entire week. Three critical notices came from the hospital. For my sake, Albus made a pilgrimage of a thousand steps, pausing on each to recite a prayer. In doing so, he returned with this protective charm. That very charm ended up with Eveline after she got hurt. Oscar took it and gave it to her, but now, it was mine again, and all I felt was resentment. I simply lifted my arm and threw it aside. At that very moment, Albus entered the ward. He watched the charm fall to the floor. Lifting his head, he looked me straight in the face and asked, "Caroline, did you just throw that protective charm away?"