Chapter 1

Despite being married for five years, Nicholas Shaffer and Karina Fleming have never registered their marriage officially.

Nicholas keeps telling Karina that he's too caught up with work, so he can't squeeze out any time from his busy schedule. He also claims that a marriage certificate is optional.

Unfortunately, Karina believes his lies. But everything ends today when she witnesses Nicholas and her older sister, Rowena Fleming, who has gone missing for five years, emerging from the city hall together after they have registered their marriage.

With red-rimmed eyes, Rowena rushes into Nicholas' arms, her marriage certificate still clutched in her hand.

"It was my fault for abandoning you at the altar back then, Nicholas," she says in a choked-up tone. "I know you only agreed to register our marriage because of my cancer. But I still want to ask you a question…

"Have you truly forgotten about me and fallen in love with Karina after all these years?"

Chapter 1

Nicholas Shaffer stayed silent for a long time, so long that Karina Fleming dug her nails into her palm, drawing faint traces of blood.

"No," he finally said, his voice low and firm. "Never."

Rowena Fleming's tears instantly gave way to a radiant smile, and she rose on her toes to kiss his lips. Nicholas' hand hovered in the air for a moment before slowly settling at her waist as he deepened the kiss.

Standing not far away, Karina felt as though her world had shattered in that instant.

If Nicholas had never forgotten Rowena, then what did that make Karina?

A harsh blare of car horns snapped Karina back to reality. Trembling, she turned her head and saw three black Maybachs parked by the roadside. The three Fleming brothers, dressed in crisp suits, stepped out of the vehicles.

"All done with the marriage license?" one of them asked. "We've already booked a restaurant to celebrate."

Karina's entire body shook.

These were the same brothers who had personally made her breakfast just this morning.

"Clarence! Irving! Luther!" Rowena cried. She rushed forward and threw herself into their arms. "I thought you'd never acknowledge me again."

The three brothers exchanged a glance, their expressions complex. In the end, it was Luther who gently ruffled her hair. "Idiot, since you were little, haven't we always been the ones cleaning up your mess every time you cause trouble?"

Rowena smiled through her tears. She linked arms with her brothers just like she did when she was little.

The four of them got into the car happily. No one noticed Karina standing across the street, her face deathly pale.

It wasn't until the convoy disappeared from view that Karina staggered, bracing herself against a tree. The rough bark scraped her arm, but it was nothing compared to the searing pain in her heart.

Ever since they were kids, Rowena had been the one everyone adored. They were twins, yet in the eyes of their three brothers, only Rowena ever seemed to exist.

When Karina lay in bed burning with fever, they were at the amusement park with Rowena. On her birthday, she waited alone late into the night, while they were all celebrating Rowena's.

For ten years, she held a secret crush on Nicholas, only to watch helplessly as he proposed to Rowena.

Karina once believed no one loved her, and that this was simply her fate.

But then five years ago, Rowena ran away in her million-dollar wedding dress and disappeared with a lowlife named Dwayne Berger. Both the Fleming and Shaffer families were left utterly humiliated.

Clarence, Irving, and Luther Fleming declared furiously on the spot, "From now on, Karina is our only sister!"

That night, Nicholas stumbled drunkenly into Karina's room and pinned her against the wall. As he stroked her cheek, his eyes bleary, he murmured drunkenly, "You look just like her."

Then, he slid the wedding ring meant for Rowena onto Karina's ring finger. "Since she ran away, will you marry me instead?"

Karina knew she should've refused, but she simply loved him too much.

For the past five years, Nicholas had pampered her, turning her into the most envied woman in the city.

He would spend a fortune at an auction, all to secure the blue diamond necklace she had merely glanced at. He would reserve the entire top-floor restaurant of Alderstone Tower and lit up the night sky with a city-wide fireworks display just for her.

On nights when she was haunted by nightmares, he would set aside international conference calls to hold her close and whisper words of comfort into her ear.

Clarence, Irving, and Luther had changed too.

Clarence showed up outside her office building every single day, rain or shine.

Irving remembered her seafood allergy and would even scrutinize the ingredients in condiments.

Luther would stay up late to help her revise design proposals, smiling as he said, "Your matters come first."

Naively, Karina began to believe she was finally loved.

That was, until Rowena returned today, and all that love vanished in an instant.

Watching the cars disappear into the distance, Karina suddenly laughed.

At first, it was a soft sound, then it grew louder and louder. She laughed until she bent over and tears fell in heavy drops onto the ground.

Passersby turned to look, but no one knew why this beautiful woman was weeping so bitterly.

All those years, Karina had been nothing but a thief. She had stolen the love that rightfully belonged to Rowena, and now that Rowena had returned, it was time for her to leave.

"Since all of you only love her…" Karina took a deep breath. She felt as if her heart were being brutally squeezed, the pain nearly robbing her of her ability to breathe. "Then I don't want any of you either."

She flagged down a cab. "Take me to the International Private Island Trading Center."

Half an hour later, she pushed open the heavy glass door and said to the receptionist, "Hello, I'd like to buy an uninhabited island."

The receptionist was visibly taken aback but quickly called for the manager, Craig Wallace.

Dressed in a tailored suit, Craig was a man in his 40s with sharp, discerning eyes.

"Ms. Fleming, the island you've taken an interest in is quite special. While the scenery is breathtaking, there's no signal or regular shipping routes, and the nearest supply ship only goes once every three months."

He paused. "Once you decide to go to the island, it's essentially complete isolation—a total disappearance from the world. Are you certain you want to purchase it?"

"Yes."

Chapter 2

Craig took one look at Karina's red-rimmed eyes and ultimately didn't dare to ask anything more.

He quickly organized the documents and said politely, "We will expedite the paperwork and inform you immediately of the departure time to the island."

Karina signed the papers without hesitation and took out a black card from her wallet. Her hand was steady as she swiped the card, not a single tremor to be seen.

By the time she returned home, it was already completely dark.

As she opened the door, the warm yellow light from the living room spilled out, illuminating the cozy scene on the couch.

Nicholas was peeling an apple for Rowena, his slender fingers holding the knife with an elegance that made the gesture look like sculpting art. Clarence, Irving, and Luther sat gathered around the couch as well.

Irving held out a spoonful of medicine, saying softly, "Rowena, it's time to take your medicine."

"It's too bitter." Rowena wrinkled her nose, pouting. "I want candy."

Luther immediately took out a piece of toffee from his pocket. "This was your favorite since you were little, so I'd always keep some with me."

Karina stood frozen at the entrance, her nails digging deep into her palms.

"Karina?" Nicholas was the first to notice her. He set down the knife and walked over. "Where have you been all day?"”

His voice was still gentle, as if the man who had held Rowena in a deep kiss outside the city hall that afternoon wasn't him.

Karina didn't answer, her gaze passing over him to rest on Rowena.

Nicholas followed her line of sight and explained matter-of-factly, "Rowena has returned home with a terminal illness. Her final wish is for us to accompany her through her last days."

After a pause, he continued, "Though running away from the wedding was wrong, considering she is your sister and out of respect for you—"

"Out of respect for me?" Karina suddenly laughed. "Or because you've never been able to forget her?"

Nicholas frowned slightly. "Karina…"

"Karina," Clarence called as he walked over, instinctively reaching to ruffle her hair. But his hand froze midair before patting her shoulder instead. "Rowena doesn't have much time left, and it's not like we can't afford to take care of her."

"That's right," Irving chimed in. "Even though she was mischievous as a kid, she's already suffered enough hardship outside and has learned her lesson. We're still family."

Luther approached, adding pressure. "Karina, you've always been the understanding one, haven't you?"

As she listened to their back-and-forth, her heart ached until it felt almost numb.

Finally, she nodded softly. "Alright."

The four men collectively sighed in relief, their faces lighting up with approval.

"You stay here and keep Rowena company for now," Nicholas said gently. "We'll go and prepare a room for her."

Only after the sound of their footsteps faded upstairs did Rowena slowly walk over. Her face was pale, but it couldn't hide the gleam of triumph in her eyes.

"Karina, we haven't seen each other in five years. I've brought you a gift."

Karina instinctively took a step back.

Ever since they were kids, Rowena's gifts had ranged from dolls with hidden needles to cakes laced with laxatives.

"Don't worry." Rowena smiled, looking as innocent as could be. "I won't hurt you the way I did five years ago."

With that, she forcefully pushed the gift box into Karina's arms and even helpfully lifted the lid for her.

Karina screamed.

A pitch-black venomous snake sprang out and sunk its fangs deep into Karina's wrist. Sharp pain instantly tore through her arm, and Karina instinctively flung the box away, only to have it strike Rowena squarely on the shoulder.

Seizing the moment, Rowena collapsed to the floor, letting out a piercing cry.

"What happened?"

When the four men rushed downstairs, they froze at the sight.

Rowena lay on the floor, tears streaming down her face, while Karina stood pale-faced, clutching her bleeding wrist.

Nicholas was the first to charge over. He pushed Karina aside and asked, "What did you do?"

Karina stumbled backward and slammed into the coffee table, searing pain shooting through her lower back.

"Rowena kindly gave you a gift, and this is how you treat her?" Clarence said coldly as he helped Rowena up.

"It was a snake," Karina gasped through the pain, cold sweat beading on her forehead. "She let a venomous snake bite me."

"Nonsense!" Luther snapped. "Rowena can barely walk right now. How could she possibly find a venomous snake to harm you?"

Rowena wept pitifully. "I just wanted to give a gift and make peace with Karina. I never imagined she'd hold such a grudge against me and slander me like this."

Karina hadn't expected that after five years, Rowena's acting skills would still be this flawless. Overwhelmed with injustice, she tried desperately to steady herself and reached for the gift box.

"I'm not lying. If you don't believe me, look—"

"Enough!" Nicholas grabbed her wrist, causing the snakebite wound to bleed profusely. "She's your sister, and she's sick. How could you be so vicious?"

Irving had already lifted Rowena in his arms. "Let's get to the hospital first. Rowena can't handle any more stress."

The four of them hurried out without a single glance back at Karina.

"It really was a venomous snake."

Karina knelt on the floor as the venom began to spread, her vision gradually blurring.

She saw Molly Meyer, the maid, rushing over in panic and heard her terrified cries, but Karina's consciousness was already fading away.

"Ms. Karina! Ms. Karina!" Molly knelt beside her, trembling as she patted Karina's face. "Wake up, please!"

Karina was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance. But as soon as she was wheeled into the emergency room, the doctor was urgently called away.

"I'm sorry, but all our doctors have been assigned to the VIP ward," the nurse explained apologetically. "Ms. Rowena's condition has suddenly worsened, and strict orders have come down that all doctors today are to attend only to her. You should try another hospital."

"That's not possible. Ms. Karina won't make it. If we transfer her now, she'll die for sure," Molly said urgently in a voice choked with emotion.

As she lay on the hospital bed, Karina could feel her consciousness flickering in and out. The intense pain had her drenched in cold sweat, but the ache in her heart was even more unbearable.

With the last of her strength, she pulled out her phone and dialed Nicholas' number.

The phone rang for a long time before it was finally answered.

"Nicholas," she whispered, her voice barely a breath. "I was bitten by a venomous snake. Could you send a doctor?"

"Karina!" Nicholas' voice was as cold as ice. "Because of that shove, Rowena's condition has worsened! She has cancer! How can you be so vicious? Even at a time like this, you're still pretending?"

"No, I really—"

The call ended abruptly.

Karina clutched the phone as tears streamed down her face. Wracked with pain, she curled into herself, her consciousness growing hazier.

"Ms. Karina! Ms. Karina!" Molly cried, shaking her desperately. "Don't fall asleep! Please, don't fall asleep!"

But Karina could no longer hold on. It simply hurt too much, and she was unbearably exhausted.

Slowly, her eyes closed.

Chapter 3

By the time Karina woke up again, it was already the next day. She slowly opened her eyes, the sharp scent of disinfectant filling her nose.

"Ms. Karina, you're finally awake!" Molly, her eyes swollen and red, rushed to the bedside. Her rough hands grasped Karina's cold fingers. "You scared me half to death!"

"H-How did I survive?" Karina asked hoarsely.

Fresh tears welled up in Molly's eyes. "A kind-hearted doctor couldn't bear to see you suffer anymore, so he secretly gave you the antidote. He said if he had been just ten minutes later, you wouldn't have made it."

Her voice grew more choked with emotion as she continued, "I went to beg Mr. Clarence to save you. I told him you really were bitten by a venomous snake, but he insisted you were faking it. Mr. Irving refused to even see me, while Mr. Luther said you brought it on yourself."

Molly wiped away her tears, her voice growing increasingly shaky. "Mr. Shaffer was the worst of all! I knelt and begged him to come see you, but he said you were becoming more and more unreasonable. He even accused me of helping you lie."

She tightened her grasp on Karina's hand, her rough palm emanating waves of warmth. "Ms. Karina, you've been so good to them all.

"Last winter, when Mr. Clarence was entertaining clients until 3:00 am, you stood in the kitchen in just a thin layer of clothes brewing a hangover remedy for him. And you ended up catching a cold because of it.

"When Mr. Irving's company faced a cash flow crisis, you quietly sold the emerald bracket your grandmother left you. And when Mr. Luther was burning with a high fever, you stayed awake for three days without sleep, until you collapsed from exhaustion yourself."

Molly grew more impassioned as she spoke. "And Mr. Shaffer! Even his own mother couldn't remember the brand of ties he liked or the type of coffee he preferred, but you kept every detail in mind.

"Yet now, they're all hovering around Ms. Rowena—the same woman who once left Mr. Shaffer on the altar and bullied you all your life. How is it that she gets all their love now? Why is the world so unfair?"

Karina listened quietly, feeling as though an invisible hand were squeezing her heart. Tears silently slid from the corner of her eyes, dampening the snow-white pillow.

That pain was ten thousand times more excruciating than the venomous snakebite.

But it didn't matter. Soon, all of this would be over.

She would leave for the uninhabited island. There would be no false affection, no games of substitution, and no one to hurt her anymore.

After two days of recuperation in the hospital, Karina returned home. The moment she opened the door, she was greeted with a rush of cheerful birthday songs and laughter.

The living room was filled with elegantly dressed guests. Glasses clinked as people mingled.

Under the crystal chandelier, countless members of high society raised their glasses in celebration.

Nicholas and her three brothers were gathered around Rowena, celebrating her birthday. Dressed in an exquisite gown, Rowena smiled sweetly, showing no trace of someone who was ill.

When the four men saw Karina return, the smiles on their faces instantly vanished.

"Aren't you supposed to be dying?" Clarence eyed her coldly, his gaze behind the gold-rimmed glasses sharp as a blade. "Well, you look perfectly fine to me."

Irving frowned, the wine glass in his hand reflecting a cold light. "Rowena doesn't have much time left, so can't you be more considerate?"

"Can't you stop lying so much from now on?" Luther asked impatiently, fiddling with his wristwatch.

Nicholas walked over, his voice gentle yet firm. "Rowena's days are numbered, so you'd better not pick fights with her anymore."

He paused before adding, "I know you're bothered by my past with Rowena, but you're my wife now."

Karina felt a sharp twist of pain in her chest.

Wife? All these years, she was the one who had stayed by his side and helped him through his lowest moments. She had allowed him to demand everything from her and had given herself to him without reservation.

Yet, the moment Rowena returned, it was she who ended up marrying him!

Nicholas actually had the nerve to deceive Karina so brazenly and to say with a straight face that she was his wife.

Her eyes gradually reddened, yet the corners of her mouth lifted into a smile, one that ached deep in her heart.

It was the first time Nicholas had seen her like this. A sudden, inexplicable unease tightened in his chest. He was about to speak when Rowena's voice floated from behind him.

"Nicholas, Clarence, Irving, Luther," she said sweetly. "Let's cut the cake together!"

The large screen in the living room lit up and began playing a birthday tribute video.

At first, it showed warm, touching messages from the guests. Then, the images suddenly switched to explicit, intimate photos of Rowena and Dwayne.

The video froze on a final line, written in glaring, blood-red letters.

"This birthday gift was prepared specially for you. I hope you like it, Rowena."

The entire villa erupted into chaos in an instant.

"Turn it off! Turn it off now!" Clarence roared in rage, his voice shaking the crystal chandelier.

Irving yanked out the power cord, while Luther rushed over to the guests, warning them, "Everyone, hand over your phones for inspection. Anyone who dares to spread this will face the consequences."

Rowena trembled violently, her carefully styled hair coming undone. Her face was deathly pale, tears falling in large drops.

"Karina, you've already taken Nicholas from me and stolen the love of our brothers. Now that I'm dying, must you treat me like this?"

She staggered back two steps, then suddenly her eyes rolled back and she fell straight to the floor.

"Rowena!" Nicholas rushed forward in a single stride, scooping her up into his arms.

For the first time, his usually cool and composed face showed genuine panic. "Call a doctor now!"

Before leaving, he turned and gave Karina an icy glare that sent a sharp pain through her entire body.

Her three brothers instantly closed in around her.

"Karina!" Clarence grabbed her wrist, his grip so tight it felt like he might crush her bones. "Look at what you've done to Rowena! We told you she doesn't have much time left, so why do you keep targeting her?"

"It wasn't me!" Karina exclaimed in a trembling voice, shaking her head desperately. "I didn't release those photos."

"The proof is right in front of us, yet you still dare to deny it?" Irving sneered coldly. "In this family, when you make a mistake, you pay for it."

She'd be punished for doing something wrong?

The words struck her with a deep, wrenching pain.

Karina remembered how at 12 years old, Rowena had pushed her down the stairs, and her three older brothers had only said, "Rowena didn't mean to do that."

She remembered how on her 18th birthday, Rowena had thrown her cake into the trash, and they'd said, "She's just playing around."

She remembered that winter when Rowena had locked her out on the balcony all night, and their excuse was, "Rowena hasn't been in a good mood lately."

Yet now, they wanted to punish her?

Chapter 4

"Kneel!" Luther commanded coldly.

Bodyguards immediately stepped forward, gripping Karina's shoulders as roughly as if handling a criminal.

She struggled but was forced to her knees on the cold marble floor. Her kneecaps slammed down hard, the pain so sharp it darkened her vision.

Clarence picked up a whip that had been prepared in advance, swinging it through the air with a sharp crack before bringing it down fiercely across Karina's back.

Intense pain exploded through her body. It felt as though thousands of needles had simultaneously pierced her flesh.

Karina clenched her teeth hard, the taste of blood spreading in her mouth. Yet, she stubbornly refused to make a sound.

"Will you admit your mistake?" Clarence asked icily.

"I didn't do anything wrong," Karina replied, forcing out the words with difficulty.

Another crack. This time, the blow landed even harder. Blood immediately soaked through her thin dress, spreading across her back like a crimson bloom.

"I'll ask again," Clarence said. "Will you admit your mistake?"

"I didn't… do it."

The whip lashed down again and again on her body, each strike feeling as though it were tearing her soul apart. Blood gradually soaked through her white dress, pooling in a glaring red on the floor.

"Stop. Please stop hitting her," Molly cried, kneeling down. "Ms. Karina will die. She really will."

But the three Fleming brothers turned a deaf ear, and the whipping continued relentlessly.

Karina was starting to lose consciousness. In a daze, she heard Luther scoff and say, "Since she refuses to admit her mistake, we'll keep whipping her until she does."

When the final strike landed, she could no longer hold on. Darkness flooded her vision as she passed out completely.

Before sinking into that darkness, the last thing she saw was the glaring pool of blood on the floor and the cold, indifferent eyes of her three brothers.

…

Karina was left alone in her room for three entire days.

Lying in bed, she could clearly hear the cheerful laughter and conversations coming from next door.

Rowena's soft whining, her three brothers' gentle coaxing, and Nicholas' low laughter cut into Karina's already battered heart like a knife without end.

"Rowena, take your medicine."

"But it's so bitter."

"Be good. I'll give you candy once you finish."

"Feed me, Nicholas."

Karina buried her face into her pillow, her nails digging deep into her palms.

She had thought she was already numb to the pain, but with every breath, a sharp ache still pierced her chest.

On the morning of the fourth day, she managed to get out of bed. Using the wall as support, she slowly made her way to the stairs, where she happened to overhear an excited discussion below.

"I heard a pod of dolphins had been spotted nearby recently," Nicholas said, his voice unusually cheerful. "Rowena has always wanted to see them."

"Let's go right away then," her three brothers said at once.

Clarence added, "It'll be a good chance for Rowena to relax."

Karina froze on the landing, her fingers trembling slightly as they gripped the railing.

The wounds on her back hadn't yet healed, so every step felt like fire burning across her skin.

"Karina?" Rowena suddenly looked up, her voice bright with surprise. "You're finally up and about!"

All four men turned their heads simultaneously, their gazes shifting to Karina on the stairs.

She had grown terribly thin. Her loose nightgown hung emptily on her frame, and the bruises on her exposed wrists had yet to fade.

Rowena walked upstairs and warmly looped her arm through Karina's. "We were just about to go see the dolphins. Won't you come with us?"

Karina instinctively pulled her hand back, a gesture that instantly made Rowena well up with tears.

"Karina, even though you ruined my reputation, I already forgave you," Rowena said, her voice choking with emotion. "I don't have much time left, so I don't want to hold onto grudges anymore."

"Karina!" Nicholas strode over and stepped protectively in front of Rowena. "Rowena is extending an olive branch, and this is how you respond?"

Luther chuckled coldly and said, "Exactly. Just look at Rowena and then look at yourself. The difference speaks for itself."

Karina bit her lip until she tasted blood.

Looking at the four men who had once been closest to her, she suddenly felt they were complete strangers.

In the end, to please Rowena, she was forcibly taken aboard the yacht.

The vast expanse of the blue sea stretched endlessly before them, and the sunlight reflecting off the deck was dazzling.

Rowena excitedly suggested having a barbecue, but the four men immediately frowned in disapproval.

She lowered her head, her voice as light as a feather. "I'm going to die anyway, so can't I just do what I want?"

"Don't say that!" Irving quickly covered her mouth. "We've already contacted the best specialists abroad. You'll be fine."

Karina sat quietly in the corner, watching them busily prepare for the barbecue. No one remembered she was allergic to seafood, just as no one remembered the wounds still healing on her back.

Nicholas suddenly noticed her and asked, "Why aren't you eating anything?"

"I'm allergic to seafood," Karina answered softly.

An awkward silence instantly fell over them.

Frowning, Nicholas was about to stand and call the chef to bring other food when a sudden fierce wind swept across the sea.

The yacht lurched violently, the grill overturned, and scalding charcoal scattered in every direction.

"Watch out!"

Karina watched as all four men threw themselves toward Rowena, forming a protective wall around her.

As for herself…

"Ah!"

A cluster of embers landed on the hem of her dress, instantly igniting a fierce blaze.

She rolled on the deck in agony, screaming. But not a single person glanced back at her.

Chapter 5

The four men were still anxiously checking if Rowena was hurt. A small patch on her arm was red from the burn.

"Rowena, are you alright?"

"Let me take a look!"

"It's a little red. Quick, get the ointment!"

In the end, it was a passing crew member who noticed Karina. He rushed over in a panic and swiftly put out the flames on her dress with a fire extinguisher.

"Ms. Fleming, hang in there!" the crew member shouted in alarm.

Through blurred vision, Karina saw the four men hurrying toward the cabin with Rowena in their arms. They didn't spare her a single glance at all.

By the time she was carried back to her room, she was in too much pain to speak.

Large areas of her skin were burned, and even the slightest movement caused bloody fluid to seep out. The crew member hurried off to find a doctor, leaving her alone in the room.

Her phone suddenly vibrated.

"Ms. Fleming, the uninhabited island you purchased requires some additional documents."

"I'll send them to you right now," Karina said through gritted teeth, her voice hoarse from pain. "Please process them as quickly as possible. I'm in a hurry to go to the island."

As soon as she finished speaking, Nicholas' icy voice suddenly came from behind her, "Who were you talking to?"

"No one." Karina hung up and hid her phone under the covers.

Nicholas stood at the doorway, picking up on the strange tension in the air. His brow furrowed slightly. He was about to press further when his gaze suddenly fell on the shocking burns covering her body.

"How did you get burned like this?" He walked over quickly, his voice carrying an unusual hint of panic. "Why didn't you call for me?"

Karina lowered her gaze, a bitter smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

Why didn't she call for him?

Just moments ago, the flames had singed her hair. She writhed and screamed in agony on the deck, yet he didn't even turn his head. So, what good would calling for him have done?

"It's nothing," she said softly. "The doctor will be here soon. You should stay with Rowena. She needs you more."

To her surprise, Nicholas sat on the edge of the bed instead. "She has people looking after her. I'll wait until your wounds are treated."

He gently brushed the stray strands of hair from her forehead, his movements tender, almost like the way he used to be. But Karina simply looked at him calmly. All the light and hope that used to shine in her eyes for him were gone.

Nicholas had already married Rowena, making him her husband now. And there was no way Karina would love a married man.

The moment he secretly married Rowena behind her back, any possibility between them was forever destroyed.

"Does it hurt?" he asked quietly with a frown.

Karina shook her head gently but remained silent.

Of course it hurt! But compared to the pain in her heart, what was a little physical suffering?

The doctor arrived quickly. He treated her burns with great care, each touch sending a wave of pain so sharp it made her break out in cold sweat. Yet, she only bit down hard on her lip without making a sound.

"Nicholas," Rowena called sweetly from outside the door. "Come quickly to see the dolphins! They're so beautiful!"

Nicholas hesitated for a moment but ultimately helped Karina to her feet. "Let's go have a look together."

On the deck, the setting sun painted the sea in shades of gold. A pod of dolphins leaped from the water, tracing graceful arcs through the air.

"Quick, make a wish! They say if you make a wish when you see dolphins, it'll definitely come true!" Rowena pressed her hands together, closing her eyes as she made her wish.

Karina, placed by Nicholas on a deck chair, watched the absurd scene before her eyes. The four men, who had never believed in such things, now closed their eyes with indulgent fondness, looking as devout as if they were praying in church.

She knew their wishes must have been about Rowena.

Slowly, she closed her eyes as well.

Rowena suddenly sidled up to her and asked curiously, "Karina, what did you wish for?"

The four men also turned their attention to her.

Karina looked at them all and replied emphatically, "I wished that from now on, I would never have to see any of the five of you again for the rest of my life."

Chapter 6

At that very moment, a fierce gust of wind churned the sea into towering waves, violently rocking the yacht. Karina's words were completely drowned out by the roar of the waves and the startled cries around them.

Nicholas frowned slightly. "What did you just say? The wind and waves are too loud."

Karina was about to repeat herself when Rowena whined, "It's too dangerous out here. I'm really scared. Let's hurry back to the cabin."

The others quickly shielded her as they made their way out one after another, with Karina trailing at the very back.

She glanced back one last time at the dolphins gradually fading into the distance and suddenly smiled.

Perhaps this was meant to be.

They would never know she had wished to never see them again.

Just as they had never truly cherished her sincerity, they would also never know she was about to vanish from their world forever.

…

On the day Rowena received the invitation to the debutante ball, none of the four men could spare the time to go with her.

"Clarence, Irving, and Luther are flying to Belport to bid on that pink diamond for me," Rowena said sweetly, waving the invitation. "And Nicholas has a 100-billion-dollar contract to sign. Karina, won't you go with me?"

She batted her eyes pitifully. "I haven't attended an event like this in five years, so I'm afraid I'll embarrass myself."

"I'm not going," Karina said flatly.

But the four men gave her no room for refusal.

"Rowena isn't in good health. You should go with her," Clarence commanded coldly.

"You're the most familiar with these events," Irving said, adjusting his glasses. "Don't let Rowena make a fool of herself."

Luther simply pushed her into the car. "Take good care of Rowena. Don't cause any trouble."

The door slammed shut. Through the window, Karina watched the four men's worried expressions and could only feel a bitter irony.

They only ever worried about whether Rowena might feel wronged but never once cared if Karina was willing to go.

…

At the ball, Rowena stood out in a dazzling red dress.

"Here, drink this for me," she said, pushing a champagne glass into Karina's hand with a sweet smile. "After all, if I go home drunk, what do you think they'll say?"

Karina's fingers tightened around the glass until her knuckles turned white.

She knew Rowena was doing this on purpose, but she could only do as she was told. If anything happened to Rowena, those four men would never let her off.

As she drank one glass after another, Karina felt the world begin to swim before her eyes.

"Oh dear, are you drunk?" Rowena feigned surprise. "Here, I'll help you to a room."

Karina struggled to push Rowena away, but she was no match for her strength.

Half-dragged, half-carried, she was led away from the ballroom, down a long corridor, and finally pushed into an unfamiliar hotel room.

"Enjoy yourself," Rowena whispered in her ear with a light laugh before closing the door.

Karina slumped to the floor, and through her bleary eyes, she saw a strange man approaching. The man loosened his tie, a nauseating smile spreading across his face.

"Ms. Fleming paid a high price to have me take care of you," the man said, reaching for her dress. "She wasn't wrong. You really are a rare beauty."

Karina struggled with all her might, but her alcohol-numbed body refused to cooperate. The man's hand clamped around her wrist like an iron vice, his hot, sickening breath hitting the side of her neck.

Just as the man was about to press down on her, Rowena's delighted voice suddenly sounded from outside the door. "Nicholas? What are you doing here? I thought you had an important contract to sign?"

"I couldn't stop worrying about you, so I came to take you home." Nicholas' voice came through the door, as cool and composed as ever. After a pause, he asked, "Where's Karina?"

"Oh, she's in the restroom," Rowena replied without missing a beat.

Karina mustered every last ounce of her strength and threw herself against the door.

"Nicholas! Save me!"

For a second, silence fell outside the door.

"Are you sure she's in the restroom?" Nicholas pressed, his voice growing colder.

"Of course," Rowena replied, her tone wounded. "If you don't believe me, we can go check the restroom right now. It's almost time for my medication, though… But it's fine. I can wait."

Karina's heart sank. She knew Nicholas would choose to take Rowena back first to take her medicine, just as he had countless times before.

After a suffocating silence, Nicholas' voice finally came through. "Never mind. I'll take you back to take your medicine first."

The sound of footsteps faded into the distance. Karina felt as though her heart had been carved out, the pain so sharp it nearly choked her.

Inside the room, the man had already torn open her collar.

In desperation, Karina reached for the crystal ashtray on the bedside table. With all her remaining strength, she slammed it against the man's head.

The man grunted and crumpled to the floor.

Karina staggered to her feet and stumbled out of the room.

The hallway was empty. She ran desperately toward the exit, her high heels long since lost. Her bare feet pounded the cold floor, yet she felt no pain.

In the rainy night, she rushed onto the road. Suddenly, blinding headlights swept over her.

A loud crash echoed as Karina was thrown into the air and landed heavily on the road several yards away.

"Nicholas, I think we hit someone." Rowena's panicked voice came from inside the car. "Should we get out and check?"

Rain blurred his vision. Nicholas frowned and glanced out. "It's fine. I'll have my assistant handle it."

Without hesitation, he stepped on the accelerator. "It's more important for you to take your medicine."

The car sped away, its tires splashing mud and blood across Karina's pale face. She lay in the spreading pool of blood as the rain washed it toward the roadside drain.

Chapter 7

When Karina opened her eyes, she found herself in a hospital bed. The sharp scent of disinfectant filled her nose, and the steady beep of a heart monitor echoed in the room.

A nurse pushed the door open and entered. "You're awake? You were badly injured—three broken ribs. You'll need a family member to take care of you, so give them a call."

The nurse handed her a phone, and Karina took it with trembling hands.

On the screen were dozens of unread messages, all from Rowena.

"Nicholas peeled an apple for me himself. It tasted so sweet."

"Clarence bought me a new dress. He says I look best in white."

"Irving and Luther stayed with me all day for my check-ups. They're so worried about me."

"It's been two days now, and at the slightest mention of a headache, they all fuss over me. No one even asked where you were."

"A thief is always a thief, and stolen love has to be returned sooner or later. Karina, I pity you. Not a single person truly loves you. If I were you, I'd have killed myself a long time ago."

Karina stared quietly, her fingers tightening unconsciously until her knuckles turned white.

"I don't have a family," she said softly, returning the phone to the nurse. "I only have myself."

The nurse seemed to want to say more, but she ultimately sighed and left.

Outside the window, maple leaves covered the ground.

Karina counted the drops of fluid falling through the IV tube, as if counting each piece of sincerity that had been betrayed over the years.

…

Five days later, she discharged herself from the hospital.

When she pushed open the villa's front door, the sound of laughter rushed toward her.

In the living room, Nicholas was peeling an apple for Rowena, while the three brothers stood around them, discussing something. When they saw Karina walk in, they abruptly stopped laughing.

"Where have you been? Why didn't you come home?" Clarence asked with a frown.

Karina didn't reply and walked straight upstairs.

Behind her, Luther scoffed. "There she goes, throwing another tantrum."

The moment her bedroom door closed, she finally collapsed to the floor.

The wound in her ribs throbbed faintly, but it was nothing compared to the pain of her heart being torn apart.

Molly brought in dinner, but Karina didn't eat a single bite.

Late at night, her phone lit up again.

"You persistent bitch! I'll make sure you understand who matters more to them!"

Karina powered off the phone and tossed it into the drawer.

…

Early the next morning, the bedroom door was kicked open with a sharp crash.

"Karina!" Nicholas yanked her from the bed. "Where is Rowena?"

Before she could even process what was happening, Irving had grabbed her by the collar. "She left a note saying, 'Since Karina won't accept me, I'll just leave.' What exactly did you say to her? Did you force her out?"

"I don't know," Karina replied hoarsely.

"You're still lying at a time like this?" Luther roared, smashing the dressing table angrily. "Do you even realize she's terminally ill? If anything happens to her, I'll definitely make you pay!"

"I'm not lying. I really don't know."

Just as the standoff intensified, Nicholas's assistant, Doug Davidson, rushed in. "We found Ms. Rowena! She's at the edge of the cliff!"

Hearing this, the faces of the four men darkened instantly.

"Karina!" Clarence grabbed her by the throat, his grip so tight she could barely breathe. "When did you become so vicious? Rowena is terminally ill. She doesn't have much time left to begin with, yet you still won't spare her!"

Karina struggled to breathe. Forced to tilt her head back, she still managed to pull out a bitter smile.

How utterly ridiculous.

Leaving aside whether the terminal illness was even real, over the past few days, they had brought in the world's top medical teams and developed the most expensive treatments for Rowena.

Even if she had been truly ill, she should have been cured by now.

This was nothing but an excuse, one that allowed them to forgive Rowena for running away from the wedding all those years ago.

Seeing Karina remain silent, the four men grew even angrier.

"Get her in the car!" Nicholas commanded coldly. "No matter what, she has to convince Rowena to come back today!"

Karina was shoved roughly into the car. The vehicle then sped off at breakneck speed to the edge of the cliff.

Chapter 8

The wind howled fiercely, and Rowena stood at the edge of the cliff in a white dress, swaying perilously. The sea breeze lifted her skirt, making her appear as fragile as glass.

"Rowena!" Clarence, Irving, and Luther shouted in panic. "Come back!"

Rowena turned to look back, tears streaming down her face. "Clarence, Irving, Luther, Nicholas, I can't bear to leave you, but Karina won't accept me. Since I'm dying anyway, why not end it here? This way, I won't be in her way anymore."

The four men immediately turned their furious gazes toward Karina.

"Karina!" Nicholas shoved her forward. "Say something! Convince Rowena to come back!"

Karina simply watched the scene unfold in silence.

"Do you have to drive Rowena to her death before you're satisfied?" Clarence roared.

Seeing her remain silent, Rowena sobbed even harder. Suddenly, she turned and leaped resolutely toward the cliff.

"Rowena!"

All four men lunged forward at the same time, grabbing her wrist at the very last moment.

After they pulled her back to safety, Rowena threw herself into Nicholas' arms, weeping uncontrollably.

"We're here. You're safe now," Nicholas said in an unbelievably tender voice as he held Rowena tightly in his arms.

"Don't be afraid," her three brothers said, gently patting her back. "We won't let anything happen to you."

Rowena sobbed in Nicholas' embrace. But moments later, she suddenly began struggling again. "No, let me go! Let me die! Karina will never tolerate me."

As she spoke, she tried to rush back toward the cliff. The four men hurriedly stopped her.

"Enough!" Luther turned and glared furiously at Karina. "Look at what you've driven her to!"

Irving held Rowena's trembling shoulders and said tenderly, "Don't be afraid. As long as we're here, no one can drive you away."

Karina watched the scene calmly with a cold smile.

She knew Rowena all too well. Her twin sister always used suicide to win sympathy, and they always fell for it.

"You there—hang Karina over the cliff so that she could think hard about what she's done wrong, "Clarence ordered coldly. "

From an angle hidden from the others, Rowena flashed Karina a triumphant smile. The look she gave her clearly said, "Karina, you'll never win against me."

One of the bodyguards immediately stepped forward. He bound Karina with a coarse rope and suspended her over the cliff's edge. The rope dug deeply into her skin, yet she didn't even flinch.

Before Nicholas left, he glanced back at her. The strange calm in Karina's eyes made his chest tighten inexplicably. But just then, Rowena conveniently "fainted".

He frantically scooped her into his arms and left without looking back.

Only Karina remained on the cliff.

The wind howled, and the rope swayed in the gusts, rubbing against her already torn wrists. Her phone vibrated in her pocket, but she was bound so tightly she couldn't check it.

Karina began to twist her wrists with all her strength, loosening the rope bit by bit. Blood dripped down the rope, but she seemed to feel no pain.

Finally, once the rope had loosened enough, she flipped herself over with a surge of effort. Then, she grabbed onto a protruding rock at the cliff's edge and pulled herself up inch by inch.

By the time she reached the top, her hands were a bloody mess.

Trembling, she pulled out her phone. The screen displayed a message.

"Ms. Fleming, your uninhabited island transfer is now complete. You may move in at any time."

Looking at the rope still swaying in the wind at the cliff's edge, Karina suddenly smiled. Since she was going to leave, she might as well make them think she was dead.

She could never win against Rowena. But then again, Rowena hadn't considered that the living could never compete with the dead.

With that thought in mind, Karina hung her jacket on a branch at the cliff's edge. She then cut the rope and tossed it into the abyss below. Her jacket fluttered in the wind, looking exactly like the final trace of someone who had fallen from the cliff.

"Goodbye," she whispered.

It wasn't a farewell to the others, but to her past self, the one who had foolishly loved them all.

After hailing a cab, Karina left without looking back.

This time, she would keep all her love for herself.