Chapter 3

I let out a scoff and walked past Edward toward the coachman, who was still cursing in fright.

Edward clenched his fist tightly, his eyes rimmed red. Whether from anger or pain, I couldn't tell.

"Sorry for the trouble," I said to the coachman. "Please take this as compensation."

As I spoke, I reached into my purse for money, but it was completely empty.

I was taken aback for a moment, then it hit me.

I pointed at Edward. "Go ask him for it. He's the prime minister and heir to the wealthy Blair family."

"Cecilia," Edward cut in, his voice shaking with frustration.

To my surprise, I caught a hint of hurt that looked so out of place on his usually frosty face.

"You're the only real daughter of our Blair family. All our money is yours.

"I wouldn't complain even if you spent every last penny of our fortune.

"Do you have to keep things so separate between us?" Edward asked.

I almost laughed. I met his eyes and asked seriously, "Is that so? I'm the Blair family's only daughter?"

Edward flinched, like I'd slapped him across the face.

Everyone in Betrico knew the Blair family's favorite was Evelyn, their adopted daughter.

But me, the true Blair by blood, was nothing but a crazy, jealous woman who snatched her sister's guy.

I laughed recklessly, tears nearly spilling from my eyes, but not a hint of sadness touched me.

"Edward, do you buy into that crap?" I asked.

Once upon a time, Edward and I were inseparable.

When he first started his career in the government and was being ostracized, I stood in the snow all night, begging his mentor to clear his name.

But now, all he ever did was give me that cold look and order me to give in to Evelyn, no matter what.

He'd even made me move to the side courtyard only because Evelyn said she wanted some peace.

Edward fought through the pain in his leg and pulled me onto the family carriage that had caught up.

He hung his head, unable to meet my eyes.

"Once Evelyn takes first place at the Flowers Ceremony and shows everyone what she can do, we'll announce that you're the rightful heiress of our family.

"All of this was just to shield Evelyn from the rumors and talk.

"After all, her background is delicate. If we made it public, she might not be able to take it," Edward said, his voice rough.

I couldn't be bothered to entertain his twisted logic.

Protecting Evelyn came at my expense? Come on.

I turned my head toward the carriage window, watching the scenery outside blur past.

*****

Before I entered this world, I was an orphan.

During a routine checkup, I was diagnosed with stage-four bone cancer.

I lay on the hospital bed, passing out from the excruciating pain of chemotherapy.

When I opened my eyes again, I was in the Ashford Kingdom, transformed into a six-year-old beggar.

The System's voice sounded in my mind. [If you can get 80% favorability with the three Blair brothers and Julian Ashford, marry him, you'll win the 100 million prize, return to the real world, and get a healthy body.]

Back then, desperate for even a sliver of hope and craving that so-called family love, I bent over backwards to please them.

I'd taken a knife for Alexander, tested medicine for Edward, and risked my life gathering poisonous herbs for Leonard.

For Julian, I'd prayed for his safety out in the freezing snow, and ended up with a lingering illness from the cold.

*****

The carriage rolled on smoothly. Edward gripped my wrist so tightly it felt like he was trying to crush the bone.

His fingertips gently traced over the back of my hand, soothing me like he used to when I couldn't sleep at night.

As an orphan, I had clung to this hard-worn affection.

When the favorability hit 90, I'd thought about giving up the mission and staying as a Blair.

But after I brought home the orphan Evelyn, all that gentleness became hers alone.

I'd acted cute and thrown little tantrums.

I'd despaired and raged.

But all I heard was them saying in unison, "Enough, Cecilia. Look at yourself. You have zero dignity now."

The carriage stopped before Blair Manor's massive gates, with gilded metal bars and imposing stone statues.

Once, I thought this was my home. Now, it felt like a gilded cage.

I shook off Edward's hand and jumped out of the carriage.

Edward called after me, a mix of disbelief and desperation in his voice. "Cecilia, I got hurt saving you. Not even a word from you?"

I looked back at him expressionlessly, watching as he limped down, half his body stained red with blood.

"If you're hurt, go find Leonard. He's the genius doctor. Why tell me? I'm not a healer," I said.

With that, I pushed open the gates and walked in without looking back.

In the main hall, Evelyn sat on the soft couch, surrounded like the center of attention.

Alexander, still dressed in his military uniform, was carefully peeling a grape and offering it to Evelyn with utmost care.

Leonard stood close by with a bowl of tonic, his voice gentle and coaxing. "Evelyn, I know it tastes bitter, but drink it and your chest will feel a whole lot better."

Julian sat close by, holding an emerald comb, gently running it through Evelyn's hair.