Reina covered her mouth and tugged at Ryan’s sleeve. “Ryan, maybe that’s enough. I think Lily’s leg might actually be broken!”

“Perfect. It takes a long time to heal a broken bone. That means during that time, she won't be running anywhere or bullying any of you.”

‘A long time? However, Ryan, you'll never see it coming since I'm dying soon,’ I thought to myself.

That night, Ryan did something rare. He stayed by my bedside and had the family doctor do a full check-up.

They confirmed it was just a fracture. As long as I rested for three months, I’d be fine.

I was annoyed by his presence and just about to tell him to leave when I suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood.

“Keep acting. Go on.” Ryan only smirked.

“How come you didn’t spit blood while the doctor was here? Scared they’d realize you’re faking it?

“Lily, do you know why I like Reina? Because she looks just like you when you pull the same fake innocent act. You both think I’m some idiot.

“But Reina has nothing. She has no choice but to cling to me. You? You used to have the Knights, acting all arrogant. Now that they’ve fallen, you still won’t bow your head and serve me.

“That’s what I hate most about you.

“Drop the act. Learn from Reina and know your place. You disgust me right now.”

He stood and barked at the driver, “I’m sleeping at the office tonight. No one’s allowed to bother me.”

Outside my door, the women who’d once flaunted themselves now stood stiff, eyes trained on me.

I coughed up more blood.

Reina scoffed. “Lily, Ryan’s already gone. You can stop putting on a show now.”

I didn’t have the strength to speak. All I could do was take a deep breath, mouth filling with the taste of blood.

Only I knew the truth.

The whip and the bat earlier had knocked the broken stone deeper into my chest.

My heart must be shredded by now. The fragments had likely torn through my trachea. That was why I couldn’t stop coughing up blood.

I was dying.

Suddenly, I really wanted some peanut soup.

I struggled to sit up, holding on to that last bit of dignity, like the daughter of the Knights.

“Bring me a bowl of peanut soup, and make it thick.”

Reina rolled her eyes. “Why should I? I’m not your maid!”

She turned to leave, but Shannon stopped her.

They exchanged a look, then I heard Shannon whisper, “I saw her medical records. She’s allergic to peanuts. Let’s go along with it…”

Reina’s eyes widened. “But she’s setting us up!”

Shannon raised her chin toward the door. “You idiot. Let someone else do it.”

Finally, a young girl walked in, carefully carrying a bowl of peanut soup. She was wearing my favorite dress—the one I wore the day Ryan proposed to me.

She was smart. Even her hairstyle was identical to how I wore it that day.

Ambition and challenge flashed in her eyes as she pressed the spoon to my lips.

“Lily, let me feed you. You better drink every drop.”

I took it in, spoonful by spoonful. I could feel the rash spreading across my face, my throat swelling shut, and my fingers puffing up.

Then somehow, as I swallowed the last bit, the soup slipped into my windpipe. My heart seized with pain, and all the color drained from the world.

When Ryan came back, there were dark circles under his eyes.

He headed straight to my room.

“So? Have you learned your lesson?”

When I didn’t respond, his face twisted with annoyance.

“Staying silent won’t help you. I’ve got all the time in the world. I’ll lock you up for life if I have to! I don’t believe I can’t break you!

“Oh, you like dancing, don’t you? Tomorrow, you’re coming to a ball with me. I want everyone to see how the once-famous daughter of the Knights, who could charm half the city with one dance, now crawls like a dog behind me on two crippled legs.

“What, cat got your tongue? Even dogs know how to bark!

“Or maybe not enough people saw you humiliated last time? Want to go for round two?”