After Delila was discharged from the hospital, the family gathered around her. They could not bear to let her move an inch.

I drifted in the corner of the living room. A bitter chill rose from the depths of my soul.

They did love me when I was little.

But as I grew older, my excellence in academics and abilities only made Delila’s resentment toward me more apparent.

When she was six, Delila stole Mom’s jewelry, planted it in my room, and accused me of the theft.

I could not defend myself and was severely punished by Mom and Dad.

In middle school, Delila grew jealous when I got first place in our grade.

She secretly tore her own exam papers, splashed ink on her textbooks, and tearfully told Mom and Dad that I had deliberately prevented her from studying.

In college, when Kelvin first came over for dinner, she purposely spilled soup on herself. While pretending I had shoved her, she fell to the floor and “sprained her ankle.”

That was the first time Kelvin ever looked at me with disgust.

From that day on, my parents began nagging that I was unworthy of the gentle and considerate Kelvin.

Delila’s schemes never ceased. She was like a vicious wolf cloaked in the guise of an innocent lamb, splashing all the mud on me while hoarding all the affection for herself.

My family always believed her tears while scolding me for being unreasonable.

Looking at my parents’ loving faces, my heart felt like it was being torn apart. The pain was so intense it nearly robbed me of the strength to float.

Dad started cursing me again.

“If Carol doesn’t come back and apologize to Delila soon, I’ll disown her!”

Kelvin paused with the water cup in his hand, as if he wanted to say something.

“Actually... Carol wouldn’t risk her own safety to harm others; would she...”

He seemed to recall something. A flicker of concern appeared in his eyes.

But when he met Delila’s eyes, which were filled with hurt and resentment, the words on the tip of his tongue vanished.

Mom seemed to see through his thoughts and spoke to him earnestly.

“Kelvin, you’re a good boy. But that girl, Carol, has a wicked heart. She’s not worthy of you.

“Look at our Delila. She’s gentle, kind, and sensible. You two are truly meant for each other.

“Why don’t you two get together?”

Delila’s face flushed instantly, and she lowered her head shyly.

Her gaze toward Kelvin was full of hope.

Kelvin did not immediately respond. He only remained silent, as if weighing whether I was truly as vicious as they claimed.

Mom and Dad asked Kelvin to stay at home for a few days.

Kelvin paused. “But Carol still has not been discharged yet. It’s been a full day. I really should go see her.”

Dad cut him off. “Oh, we’re her parents. We’ll visit her. Since she hasn’t contacted us yet, she’s probably feeling too guilty to show up. I heard from the nurses at the hospital that there aren’t many critically ill patients lately.”

He hesitated for a long time, then he nodded with downcast eyes.

My spirit felt a tug from an invisible thread. I followed Kelvin’s footsteps involuntarily, never straying an inch too far from him.

I watched him carry a plate of fruit into Delila’s room. He picked one up with a fork and offered it to her lips.

Delila accidentally spilled juice on him, then carefully wiped it off.

Their intimate gestures brought out a suggestive atmosphere. I felt countless needles pierce my trembling soul.

I wanted to rush forward and tear off Delila’s false mask.

Moreover, I had so many questions for Kelvin. Were all our past memories nothing but a joke?

But I could not do anything.

I could only watch helplessly as Delila grew bolder. She reached out to touch the necklace around Kelvin’s neck.

It was my gift to him after working three months straight.

Just as her fingertips were about to touch it, Kelvin abruptly stepped back.

He frowned tightly. A flash of irritation darted through his eyes, as if he had reached his limit.

Delila’s eyes instantly reddened. Biting her lip, she said plaintively, “Kelvin, are you still thinking about Carol? Did I… did I do something wrong?”

Kelvin said nothing. He merely told her to rest before turning and leaving.

He pulled out his phone and tapped the screen rapidly.

I floated over to his side and saw him calling me.

A mechanical female voice came through the receiver.

“The number you have dialed is unavailable.”

Once, twice, three times...

On the fifth attempt, Kelvin finally hung up impatiently.

His face darkened as he messaged me.

[Carol! Are you done with your nonsense?]

When I saw the anger in his eyes, a wave of bitterness washed over me.

He was not worried about me. He just thought I was throwing a tantrum, trying to manipulate him into giving in.

Immediately after, he sent me a barrage of messages.

[Carol, you can be angry, but don’t play this disappearing act. What’s the meaning of this?

[I know you resent your parents for favoring your sister. I know you blame me for not speaking up for you, but you can’t be this stubborn.

[You need to stop this nonsense. If you keep this up, I’ll break up with you for real and be with Delila!]

Every word felt like a knife that slowly sliced through my heart.

While reading those threatening words, I felt the version of Kelvin who used to cherish me so deeply die off.

Just then, I heard my parents’ hushed voices outside the door, tinged with a barely perceptible worry. “Why can’t we reach Carol? This child is becoming more and more unreasonable!”

Mom’s voice carried a rare hint of worry. “Maybe we should go and see her. Angry as we are, she’s still our own flesh and blood.”

Dad scoffed coldly in silent agreement.

Mom sighed helplessly. She pulled out her phone to contact everyone she could reach.

She called every number from the hospital until she reached the rescue team on duty that day and finally found my whereabouts.

“Hello? I need to ask about Carol Lane, who was with us that day. Where did she go?”

“Carol Lane? She’s dead. She was stabbed through the chest and died instantly. There was nothing we could do. You’re a family. Why did you wait so long to contact us?”