Erika’s Pov

After Jacob left, I didn’t move immediately.

I stood there for a while, the signed document still in my hand, letting the silence settle around me before I finally walked to the desk and picked up my phone.

I dialed Barrister John. The call connected quickly.

“I’ve signed it,” I said calmly. “And so has he. I’ll send the documents over now.”

“I’ll prepare everything on my end,” he replied.

“There’s something else,” I added, my voice lowering slightly. “I found out the truth about my mentor’s death.”

There was a brief pause on the other end.

“What do you mean?”

“It wasn’t an unsolved hit-and-run,” I said. “The driver confessed. The case was settled. And the person responsible is Lily.”

The silence this time was heavier.

“I have proof,” I continued. “And I want to file a lawsuit. Against Jacob for covering it up… and against Lily for the accident.”

Barrister John inhaled slowly. “Understood. We’ll proceed carefully.”

“I’m leaving soon,” I said. “On the day I leave, I want everything to come out. I want the truth exposed.”

“It will be done.”

I ended the call and immediately sent him the scanned divorce agreement along with the evidence I had copied earlier.

My phone buzzed again. It was a message from Lily.

For a moment, I stared at the screen without opening it. I already knew it wouldn’t be anything good. She had never sent me anything unless it was meant to hurt.

I almost ignored it but then I picked up my phone and saw it was a video so I opened it.

My fingers hovered over the screen for a second before I pressed play.

The room in the video was familiar. It was the master’s bedroom, my old room, the one she had taken.

The camera angle was careless, as if it had been placed there on purpose just to capture everything.

The sheets were a mess, the lights dim, and both of them were under the covers, bare shoulders exposed, their bodies close enough that there was no need to guess what had just happened.

Lily leaned against Jacob’s chest, her fingers tracing slow, lazy patterns against his skin.

“Do you think Erika suspects anything?” she asked softly.

Jacob let out a quiet scoff.

“Even if she does, what difference does it make?” he said flatly. “She’s not exactly the type to do anything about it.”

Lily’s lips curved slightly, her tone turning gentle in a way that didn’t match her expression.

“Don’t say that… she’s your wife after all.”

Jacob didn’t hesitate.

“Everything with her feels forced,” he said. “Even in bed, she’s stiff. Boring.”

My grip tightened around the phone.

Lily let out a soft gasp, like she was surprised, but her fingers didn’t stop moving against his chest.

“Don’t be too hard on her,” she murmured. “After all… she’s already lost everything.”

Her voice was soft, almost kind. But the satisfaction beneath it was unmistakable.

Jacob let out a low chuckle. “Let’s stop talking about her. Come and ride me, baby girl.”

Lily giggled and I watched as she straddled him and the video went dark but their moans still sounded loudly until it ended.

For a moment, I just stared at my reflection on the screen.

Slowly, I let out a breath. Then I smiled faintly. She really thought this would hurt me.

Maybe it would have before my child died. Before they burned everything I had left of Master Hale. Before I learned the truth.

Now… it felt distant. Like watching two strangers.

If anything, she had just handed me more evidence.

I saved the video immediately and forwarded it to Barrister John without hesitation.

Let her provoke me. Soon, she would understand what it cost.

I had just set my phone down when the door burst open.

“Why are you still here?!”

My mother’s voice cut sharply through the room as she walked in, my father following closely behind.

“You should be in the kitchen!” she snapped. “Lily just gave birth. She needs proper nutrition. Where is the soup?”

I looked at them quietly. Not a single question about my condition. Not a single glance at my injuries.

Just Lily. Always Lily.

“You’ve always been useless,” my father added coldly. “If you can’t even take care of your sister properly, what use are you?”

I held their gaze for a moment before lowering my eyes slightly.

“I’ll go make it now,” I said calmly.

My mother huffed. “It should have been done already.”

I didn’t respond. There was no need to argue and make them suspect my plans of leaving so I simply turned and walked out.

—

By evening they were all back. Lily, Jacob, and my parents. I set the dining table for them with the soup I've made.

Lily sat beside Jacob, leaning slightly against him, her expression soft and delicate.

My mother kept placing food into her bowl.

“Eat more,” she said gently. “You need to recover.”

My father nodded. “You’ve done well giving birth. This family finally has an heir.”

An heir.

The word lingered in the air. I lowered my gaze to my plate.

Across from me, Jacob reached out and adjusted Lily’s position slightly, his voice soft.

“Be careful. Don’t strain yourself.”

Lily smiled at him sweetly. “I’m fine. As long as you’re here.”

My grip on the spoon tightened slightly. Then Lily suddenly looked at me.

“Sister,” she said softly, “thank you for making the soup. It really helped.”

Her eyes met mine. There was no gratitude in them, only mockery.

“I’m glad it helped,” I replied calmly.

She smiled wider. “You’ve always been so considerate. Even after everything, you still take care of me.”

My mother sighed. “That’s how she should be. You’re her sister.”

I didn’t say anything, I simply continued eating.

After dinner, I went upstairs. I had just reached the corridor when I heard footsteps behind me.

“Erika.”

It was Lily’s voice.

I turned slightly. She stood at the top of the stairs, watching me with that same smile.

“Are you really okay?” she asked softly. “After everything?”

“I’m fine,” I replied.

She stepped closer.

“That’s surprising,” she said lightly. “I thought you’d be more… broken.”

I said nothing.

Her expression darkened slightly.

“You always act like this,” she continued. “Like nothing affects you. It’s annoying.”

Still, I didn’t react.

Something in her eyes flickered. “Fine, you'll regret this.”

Then suddenly she screamed. Her body tilted backward as if she had lost her balance and in the next second, she fell down the stairs.

“Ah—!”

Her cry echoed through the house.

I stood there, unmoving as footsteps rushed toward us.

“Lily!” Jacob’s voice was filled with panic as he ran forward, dropping to her side.

She clutched his arm, tears streaming down her face.

“Jacob… she pushed me…” she sobbed. “I didn’t do anything… I just wanted to talk… to apologize…”

His head snapped up, his gaze locking onto me. Rage filled his eyes.

“What did you do?!” he shouted.

Before I could respond, he stood abruptly and walked past me into the room.

My heart skipped when I saw what he picked up.

The urn, Master Hale’s ashes.

My breath stopped.

Jacob held it in his hand, his expression cold.

“Apologize,” he said. “Right now.”

My chest tightened.

“Put it down,” I said, my voice trembling slightly.

“Apologize to Lily,” he repeated. “Or I’ll smash it.”

Something inside me cracked.

“Jacob, don’t—”

“Apologize!”

“I’m sorry!” I said quickly, my voice breaking. “I didn’t push her. I’m sorry!”

But it didn’t matter. The urn slipped from his hand and shattered on the ground.

The sound echoed louder than anything else. For a moment, I couldn’t breathe. I stared at the ashes scattered across the floor, my mind going blank.

Then the pain hit. It was so overwhelming that my knees weakened slightly as I took a step forward, my hands trembling.

“No…”

My voice came out barely above a whisper.

That was all I had left, all that remained of him. Now it is gone… again.

I dropped to my knees, my fingers shaking as I tried to gather the ashes, but they slipped through my hands just like everything else had.

Jacob stared at me, a stunned look on his face.

“Erika, I didn't —” he started to say but Lily cried louder behind me.

“Jacob, it hurts…”

He turned immediately, all his attention shifting back to her as he ignored me.

“It’s okay,” he said softly. “I’m here.”

I remained on the floor, surrounded by what was left of my mentor.

For the first time since waking up, the numbness cracked. Tears fell silently as my shoulders trembled.

But no one saw and no one cared because to them, I had already lost everything.

If only they knew how wrong they were.

Erika’s Pov

The next morning, I left the house without telling anyone. The driver dropped me off at the cemetery, and I walked straight to his grave without stopping.

I didn’t have the strength to hesitate anymore.

“Master…” My voice came out hoarse as I stood in front of the tombstone.

For a moment, I just stared at his name, my chest tightening in a way that made it hard to breathe.

“I’m leaving,” I said quietly. “This time, I won’t come back.”

My fingers brushed against the cold stone, and the memories came all at once—his voice, his patience, the way he used to guide my hand when I painted.

“I found out the truth,” I continued, my voice shaking despite myself. “I know who killed you.”

My throat tightened.

“And he knew too.”

The words hurt more when spoken out loud.

“I trusted him… and he protected her.”

A tear slid down before I could stop it.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I couldn’t protect anything. Not you… not my child…”

My chest tightened painfully.

“If you were still here…” My voice faltered. “You wouldn’t have let anyone treat me like this.”

My voice broke completely this time. For a second, I couldn’t speak at all. Then I forced the words out.

“But I won’t let it end like this.”

I took a step back, my chest rising and falling unevenly.

“This is the last time I come here.”

I turned and walked away. I didn’t look back.

I barely made it out of the cemetery gate when a van stopped abruptly beside me.

Before I could react, the door slid open and rough hands grabbed me, dragging me inside.

“Let go—!”

A cloth was pressed over my mouth, cutting off my voice. The sharp smell filled my nose, and within seconds, my strength gave out.

The last thing I saw before everything went dark was Lily’s unconscious body in the van before everything went dark.

—

When I woke up, my head throbbed painfully.

The room was dim, the air damp and suffocating. My hands were tied behind me, and the rough floor beneath me sent a chill through my body.

Voices echoed nearby.

“She’s awake.”

“Good. Call him.”

A phone was put on speaker.

Jacob’s voice came through almost immediately, tense and sharp. “Who is this?”

“We have two women,” one of the kidnappers said casually. “Lily and Erika. One hundred million for each of them.”

I froze. My heart pounded so loudly I could barely hear anything else.

With those words, the call ended abruptly. The kidnappers turned to stare at us. Lily was sobbing pitifully.

I didn’t know how much time had passed when the door suddenly opened again.

I lifted my head weakly to see Jacob. He looked disheveled, his hair slightly messy, his shirt wrinkled like he had rushed here without thinking.

His eyes scanned the room before landing on me. Relief flickered across his face.

“Erika…” he said, stepping closer.

My throat tightened instantly. He actually came for me.

“I brought the money,” he continued quickly, his voice low, almost rushed. “Just hold on a little longer, okay? I’ll get you out of here.”

My fingers twitched against the rough rope binding my wrists.

For a moment, hope flared in my chest but it died quickly with his next words.

“Release Lily.”

Those words echoed louder than anything else.

I looked at him.

“You chose her,” I said quietly.

He froze.

“It’s not like that—” he started.

But even he didn’t sound convinced.

“I didn’t have enough time,” he added quickly. “The money… I could only arrange part of it. I had to get Lily out first, she—”

“She’s dying,” I finished for him.

The same excuse again.

My chest tightened painfully.

“And what about me?” I asked.

“I’ll come back for you,” he said finally, his voice firm now, like he was trying to convince both of us. “Just endure it for a while longer.”

Lily’s voice trembled beside me. “No… Jacob, don’t do this. I don’t want anything to happen to her…”

“You’re too good for this world, Lily,” Jacob said to her, then he turned to me, “I’ll be back.”

Then he turned and left with Lily without sparing me a second glance.

I lowered my head slightly, my chest tightening until it hurt to breathe.

What was the point of pretending now?

He had already proven it.

He chose her life over mine.

Just like he chose her child over mine.

“Looks like your man doesn’t love you that much.”

Laughter filled the room.

Rough hands grabbed my arm, pulling me up harshly before throwing me back down again. Pain shot through my side, sharp enough to make my vision blur.

“Wait,” one of them said, crouching in front of me. “Did you see that? He came all the way here… and still left you behind.”

Another laugh.

“Must feel good.”

I clenched my teeth, my body trembling as I tried to steady my breathing.

My chest rose and fell unevenly, my fingers shaking uncontrollably as the weight of everything pressed down on me.

They didn’t need to touch me to hurt me. Jacob already had.

Time lost meaning after that.

They dragged me, stripped me bare, flogged me for hours then left me cold without food or water, mocking me every time I struggled to stay conscious.

They didn’t stop and I lost track of time, I only knew pain.

Every time I thought it was over, it came again. My body couldn’t keep up.

My breathing turned uneven, my chest rising and falling too fast, too shallow like it couldn’t get enough air.

“Stay awake,” someone laughed. “Don’t pass out yet.”

My fingers scraped weakly against the floor. I was so cold. I curled in on myself, but it didn’t help.

Nothing helped.

“Where’s that man now?” another voice mocked. “Didn’t he say he’d come back?”

A laugh burst out of someone.

“She is so pathetic.”

My chest tightened violently. I couldn’t breathe.

I tried but it felt like something was crushing me from the inside.

My vision blurred as tears slipped out uncontrollably. I pressed my forehead against the cold floor, my shoulders trembling.

I didn’t know how long it had been when the door was suddenly kicked open.

“Police! Don’t move!”

Voices shouted and footsteps rushed in. Someone cut the ropes binding my wrists.

“Erika!”

I forced my eyes open.

“Lina…” I whispered.

My best friend’s face came into view, pale and shaken. “I’m here. You’re safe now.”

I tried to respond but my voice wouldn't come out as I gave in to the darkness.

Erika’s Pov

When I opened my eyes I was in the hospital again. My body felt heavy, every movement dragging against something deep and sore. My throat was dry, my lips cracked.

“Erika…”

I turned my head slowly.

Lina was staring at me. Her eyes were red, like she hadn’t slept.

“You’re awake,” she said, grabbing my hand tightly. “Do you know how long you’ve been out?”

I tried to speak. My voice came out weak and hoarse.

“…how long?”

“Two days.”

My fingers stilled.

Two days? I had to leave the following day.

“And Jacob?” I asked.

Lina’s expression changed.

“He didn’t come,” she said quietly.

The words didn’t hurt as much as I expected. Maybe because I already knew.

Lina’s grip tightened. “Why are you still with him, Erika? After everything? He isolated you from everyone. He made you cut me off. And you still—”

“I’ll be fine,” I said softly.

Lina nodded, but she didn't say another word. She gave me my phone instead.

“It’s been buzzing non-stop for two days. I don't think it's Jacob though,” she said.

I collected my phone and saw several worried text messages from my grandfather.

Where are you, Erika?

I'm worried about you.

I've arranged for you to leave tomorrow evening. If I don't hear back from you by nightfall I'll come myself.

I sent him a quick reply. ‘I’m fine, grandpa, just a slight hiccup. I need to round up things here today so I can leave tomorrow. See you soon.’

After sending the message and assuring Lina that I was fine and that she could go home, I traced the doctor’s office and went in.

He looked up, annoyed—until he saw me. His face was drained of color.

“You—”

I stepped inside and closed the door. Then I placed my phone on the table and started a video recording.

“My name is Erika Creighton,” I said calmly. “Heiress to the Creighton Empire.”

His lips trembled.

“I’ll give you one chance,” I continued. “Tell me the truth.”

“I… I don’t know what—”

“You don’t want me as your enemy,” I warned.

His hands started shaking.

“I’ll destroy everything you have,” I added quietly. “Your license. Your career. Your family won’t be safe from what comes after.”

“I’ll talk!” he said quickly.

“Say it.”

His voice shook.

“Lily’s child… didn’t need the transplant.”

My breathing stopped.

“What?”

“Her son was fine,” he stammered. “There was no life-threatening condition. It wasn’t necessary.”

I stared at him, my brain refusing to understand.

“Say it again.”

“The baby didn’t need it!” he cried. “Lily insisted! She said she wanted… she wanted your child gone.”

The room tilted. My fingers gripped the edge of the table.

So my son didn't have to die at all.

My legs gave out. I caught myself on the table, my entire body shaking violently now.

“So you killed an innocent child for nothing,” I whispered, my voice trembling.

Tears blurred my vision as the doctor fell to his knees.

“She threatened my family! I had no choice—”

“You had a choice and you chose to kill my child!” I yelled.

He broke down completely.

“I’m sorry! Please—”

“I won’t spare you.”

I picked up my phone and called the lawyer.

“I’ve found the doctor and he's confessed. Have him arrested, I have evidence to back up his crimes.”

—

When I got back to the mansion I braced myself. I needed to keep a neutral expression so they wouldn't suspect anything.

But when I stepped into the sitting room I saw all of them waiting for me. Jacob, Lily, and my adopted parents.

“What did you do?” my mother snapped.

My heart skipped a bit as I wondered if maybe they've somehow caught onto my plans.

“What are you talking about?”

“You set it up!” my father shouted. “The kidnapping! Just to get attention!”

I exhaled inwardly. It was just another one of Lily’s cheap tricks.

“You even endangered Lily!” my mother continued. “Do you know how fragile she is?”

Fragile? I almost laughed.

“How do you even know I did what you're accusing me of?” I asked, rolling my eyes.

Jacob stepped forward, his eyes cold.

“The kidnappers were caught and they confessed that you hired them!” Jacob snapped.

Lily stumbled forward, “Please, sister, spare me.”

“This is your last warning,” Jacob said coldly. “Behave yourself. Or I’ll make you regret it.”

Then he placed the baby in my arms.

“Take care of him and make yourself useful. We’re going out and will be back soon,” he said.

With those words, they all walked out of the house leaving me alone with the baby.

I looked down at the baby. The baby was warm and breathing softly, he was alive.

My arms tightened slightly and my chest burned as the child made baby noises.

My son wasn't alive because this baby’s mother had him killed. My vision blurred as I pressed my lips together, trying to stop it.

But the tears came anyway and soon the baby started crying with me.

“I’m sorry…” I whispered, sobbing, “It’s not your fault, you're just an innocent baby. You didn't ask for any of this.”

I managed to calm myself and the baby down when my phone buzzed.

It was a notification from Lily. She had posted a video showing her and Jacob watching the fireworks, her head leaning against his shoulders.

The caption read, ‘Five years and he's never missed bringing me to watch the fireworks. Thank you for always bringing me here, my sweetest best friend.’

Five years? My fingers tightened as a startling realization dawned on me.

Three years ago I rescued Lily and brought her back into this house. But even before then, Jacob had always been disappearing on this very day every year claiming he had work.

My breath hitched. So it wasn't recent, or accidental, it wasn't even a mistake. He had been with her all along, from the very beginning.

A bitter laugh escaped me as bile rose in my throat. It hurt so much it felt like my chest was being torn open.

It was clear now, it had always been Lily.

—

Later that night I was trying to rest when I heard doors slamming open and Lily’s terrified voice.

“Something’s wrong… the baby… the baby isn't breathing!”

Everything moved fast after that. Jacob rushed straight to my room with Lily and the baby.

“What did you do?!” he shouted.

“I didn't do anything—”

“You were the only one here with him when we went out!” he snapped.

“I would never—”

“Confess!” he roared, “You’ve always been jealous because your child died and her own survived.”

I stared at him, my chest tightening at his words.

“So this is what you think of me. You think I’m capable of this?”

Lily started crying, “Please, sister, hurt me but spare my child.”

I scoffed, “I’m not like you, Lily. I would never hurt an innocent child.”

Jacob’s face was red with anger as he glared at me. “Enough of your cruelty, Erika. I warned you to behave, maybe a few nights in jail will teach you a lesson, and pray nothing happens to my son.”

The next thing I knew Jacob called the cops, they handcuffed me and took me to the station even as I screamed of being innocent he ignored me.

—

The cell was cold and damp. The policemen refused to let me make any calls.

I curled up like a ball at night and tried to sleep when I heard a noise.

Everything happened so quickly as three female prisoners broke into my cell and beat me up, kicking my chest and my ribs until I couldn't cry out anymore.

That's when one of them pulled out something. I saw the sharp glinting end of the blade as she grinned evilly at me.

“Lily paid us to kill you, you must have been a real bitch to her. She said you should die already and rot in hell!”

Before I could speak, something pierced into me.

I let out a shrill scream, my body jerking as warmth spread quickly beneath me.

Heavy footsteps and voices sounded around me but everything blurred together, as my eyes threatened to close.

I was rushed to the hospital and the nurses kept yelling I shouldn't close my eyes.

I drifted in and out of consciousness but I was able to pick up a little bit of conversation.

Jacob was shouting, “All doctors should attend to my son.”

“But sir, an inmate was stabbed. She's severely wounded and could die,” one of the doctors was saying.

“What’s a prisoner’s life compared to that of my son. Save my son, the inmate’s life is worthless,” he said coldly.

Even now, he still chose to save Lily and her son, once again tossing me aside.

I was kept aside and left to bleed out. A nurse pitied me and bandaged my injury.

My vision blurred as I reached for my phone.

“Grandpa…”

My voice was barely a whisper.

“Come get me…”

By the time the door burst open again, I was fading. The lawyer and driver were beside me in an instant.

“Erika! Stay with me!” the lawyer said as he lifted me gently.

I forced my eyes open and I gripped his hand.

“I don’t care anymore…” I whispered, “Release everything. I want them ruined.”

The last thing I saw was the lawyer nodding to my words before darkness closed in.