Chapter 2

When I opened my eyes again, it was already the next day. I could hear James and Serena plotting together outside the ward.

Serena whispered, "Isabelle's already ruined. If her classmates come visit her today, everyone will know what happened to her. If word gets out..."

James didn't even pause. "She's already done for. Honestly, why not make it even worse? Then she'll be too ashamed to show up at the competition, and maybe she'll stop acting so proud. Maybe that's exactly what she needs."

What a "good" brother he was, still thinking he was doing all that for my own good. What a self-deluding hypocrite.

Then he ordered, "Make sure the specialists are standing by. The moment her classmates leave, start the surgery."

Serena nodded and quickly went to gather the specialists.

I lay there helpless, thinking that even a sworn enemy wouldn't treat me worse than that.

James knew everything. Right after I was born, Dad's mistress swapped me for her own daughter, Sophia. My mom only figured it out a month before she died—when I was ten.

That was when she brought me home from Dustview, a small, poor city, and pleaded with James to protect me. By that time, Sophia's mom was already gone, so she stayed with the Quinn family as if she belonged.

Three years ago, Dad died in a car accident. Even when he was on his deathbed, all he could think about was Sophia.

He told James to treat Sophia and me the same way, saying we were both his sisters and he shouldn't punish Sophia for what her mother did.

As I thought about all that, I couldn't hold it in anymore—tears just wouldn't stop falling from my eyes.

I grew up in Dustview, and every single thing I've managed to achieve took ten times more effort than any of them could ever imagine.

If I'd known it would all turn out that way, I would've just stayed in Dustview. Coming back was my biggest mistake.

Half an hour later, the door creaked open.

My classmates and teacher poured in all at once, their arms filled with bright bouquets and baskets.

"Isabelle, where does it hurt?" one of my classmates blurted anxiously.

"Can you get out of bed? Are you able to move?" another chimed in.

The professor I looked up to the most was staring at me, so worried that even his voice softened. "Isabelle, there's no need to be afraid. Just rest and heal. If you fall behind, I'll help you catch up as soon as you're back."

"I heard she's disabled now. Look, her face is totally disfigured. How freaky!" A different voice suddenly sounded.

The classmates talked about me with concerned voices while pulling out their phones and snapping pictures.

All I wanted was to crash my head against the wall—just end it, right here. But even wishing for something so simple was impossible for me.

One of the girls asked, "So where exactly are you injured?"

Without even waiting for a reply, she reached out and pulled back the blanket covering me.

With my entire body bruised and battered, I was lying there, totally exposed—naked and defenseless under their gaze.

That was the final blow—my last scrap of dignity stripped away.

Then someone exclaimed, "I heard after she got kidnapped, some men did that thing to her. So it's true, huh?"

I was lying there, totally exposed in front of everyone—my classmates, and even my professor—with shame crushing the air out of my lungs. I wished I could die on the spot.

The professor looked away, his face flushed as if he didn't know what to do.

"Well, this is nasty. I can't even look," said one girl, but she kept snapping pictures anyway.

Out of nowhere, James—my oh-so-loving big brother—stormed in. "Everyone out! Isabelle needs to rest. She doesn't need an audience right now," he barked.

Serena hurried over, taking off her coat and wrapping it around me. She squeezed me tight, her tears splashing hot and fast onto my hand. "Are the doctors and nurses asleep at the wheel or what? How could they let Isabelle be seen in such a mess?"

James clasped my freezing hand, guilt etched all over his face. "They only wanted to help, Isabelle, but this was the worst timing. I promise I'll make sure nobody dares to spread a word about what happened today."

What a joke. James kept acting like he was so concerned about my reputation, but he was the one who completely trashed it.

If I hadn't heard them scheming outside my ward, I probably would've bought his little act.

All for Sophia, he threw my whole life away. I had no idea how I could set foot in school again.

Just as I was drifting off, I heard James and Serena shouting for help. The specialists—they'd all been on standby—swarmed into the ward.

One of them took a look at me and just kept shaking his head. "It's been delayed too long. Her organs are badly damaged. We're going to have to operate and remove quite a bit.

"Her limbs are really messed up, too. Even if she survives, she's going to be stuck in a wheelchair for life."

James shook his head over and over. "No way. Isabelle's just got some minor injuries. Whatever it costs, we'll make her better. The Quinn family's got the money."

Serena was sobbing her heart out. "Isabelle, poor girl, you promised to design my wedding dress. You said you'd make me the most beautiful bride anyone's ever seen."

I was barely conscious, slipping in and out of darkness, my heart dead and cold inside.