Clara stared at him, unblinking. She was unable to believe what she was hearing. He knew that having no real family was her deepest wound. Yet now, for Rea’s sake, he had chosen to plunge the knife himself.
She just stood there, mumbling and trembling uncontrollably. However, Ian had no time to spare her another glance. He turned back to Rea, lifted her into his arms and carried her away to the hospital without hesitation.
The main characters had left so the engagement party could no longer continue. The guests quickly dispersed, leaving Clara sitting alone on the couch with hollow eyes.
She tried to call Ian to explain but each of her calls got declined.
It wasn’t until the first rays of dawn broke through the sky that Ian finally returned, looking tired as he walked in with Rea.
Clara hurried forward and greeted him, "Brother, I swear I didn’t do it."
However, Ian didn’t even lift his eyes. He simply pulled Rea along and kept walking. He did not even bother to acknowledge her.
Desperate, Clara ran to block their way. Her eyes were already wet with tears as she spoke. Her voice choked with emotion. “Can you believe me this one time? You used to say that you would always believe in me."
She spoke through quiet sobs, tears falling like scattered pearls.
From childhood until now, no matter what happened, Ian had always trusted her without question. She had once asked him why.
Back then, he had simply smiled, ruffling her hair with a look of effortless warmth in his eyes and said, "Since I'm your brother, it's natural to trust you."
However now, Ian only stared at her coldly and said coldly, “Doing something wrong and still not admitting it is a disgrace. Now, kneel down and apologize to Rea right away,”
Clara's eyes widened. With bloodshot and swollen eyes, she looked up at him in despair.
This was Rea's plan all along.
Now, she, the victim, was expected to apologize to the perpetrator.
Hiding behind Ian, Rea's eyes flashed with smug satisfaction.
“There are only two people in this world I’d ever kneel to. They are Grandma and Mrs. Cumberland.”
“If you insist this is my fault, then I’ll return it to her.”
Clara spoke calmly, then reached for a nearby wine bottle and smashed it against her own head.
Bang!
Warm liquid gushed from her scalp as fresh blood trickled down her face.