Chapter 2After the Cannon Fodder’s Suicide, They All Cried Regret

Vincent froze, clearly not expecting me to refuse. His shock quickly turned to anger. “Don’t be ridiculous! You’re this injured and you won’t get treated? What are you trying to pull?”

“Vincent, don’t be mad at her,” Dolores’s soft voice cut in. “It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have worn her necklace. I didn’t realize she would get so angry that she’d lose control of the car.”

“I thought if I died, it would be my apology to her. I never expected you to save me first. By the time we went back for you, the car exploded. Vincent was frantic,” she continued, her voice filled with fake concern. “It’s a miracle you’re alive, Ava. Don’t scare him by refusing treatment.”

The raw tension in Vincent’s face eased slightly.

“Ava, I told her she could wear that necklace. You have so much. What’s the big deal about one necklace? Is it worth risking your life over? I can just buy you another one.”

He went on, his voice hardening again. “Marcus told me the kidnapping was fake. If you were so badly hurt in the crash, how did you have the energy to stage a kidnapping instead of going to a hospital? I’m starting to think you’re actually insane.”

I glanced at Marcus. He guiltily looked away. I had no idea what story he had spun for Vincent, but it was enough to convince him all my injuries came from the car crash.

I stared at Vincent and asked in that same hoarse voice, “If you think I’m insane, why do you believe I’m capable of orchestrating all this?”

“You’ve been spoiled and willful your whole life,” he shot back without thinking. “What aren’t you capable of?”

I closed my eyes. Even though I knew who I really was, the memories of the last decade were still there. The words still hurt. When our parents were alive, I was the center of their world. Vincent had sworn he would protect me forever, that he would never let me feel an ounce of pain.

“My sister deserves to have anything she wants,” he used to say. “As long as I’m here, you have the right to be willful.”

But now, he was not only scolding me for it, but he’d also forgotten that the necklace Dolores wore couldn't simply be bought.

“That necklace,” I said softly, “was my eighteenth birthday present from you.”

It was the last design our mother made before she died. Vincent had said he hoped that when I wore it, it would feel like Mom was still watching me grow up. I didn't say that last part. There was no point.

It wasn't just the necklace. It was the loyalty of my bodyguard, the love of my brother. The things I couldn’t take with me, I was letting them all go.

A flicker of guilt crossed Vincent’s face.

Dolores quickly took the necklace off and held it out to me. “I’m so sorry, Ava. I didn’t know it was so important to you. Please don’t be mad at Vincent. Blame me…”

The moment her fingers placed the chain in my hand, I summoned all my strength and threw it. The necklace flew out the open hospital window.

The movement tore my wounds open. Blood began to seep through the bandages, but with no pain, all I registered was my face growing even paler.

“Ava! Are you insane?” Vincent roared, his pupils constricting in shock.

“Ah! The necklace!” Dolores shrieked. “It’s so expensive! What if it’s lost? How could you just throw away a gift from your brother? You’ll break his heart!”

Vincent’s face was ashen with rage. “Marcus! Go find it!”

Marcus spun on his heel and sprinted out of the room.

Vincent’s eyes were filled with utter disappointment. “I was going to let this slide! But look at you! If you love making a scene so much, then fine! Have it your way!”

He grabbed Dolores and turned to leave. When he didn’t hear me apologize, he glanced back. The sight made his blood run cold.

“Ava! What are you doing? Get down from there!”