Ch. Finished 4 Finished 4

Chapter 4 

“She was already in critical condition. The delay made it worse, and with the overdose of psychiatric meds, her internal organs are severely damaged. The surgery has only a 30% chance of success.” 

Kenneth’s voice shook. “How could this happen? I don’t care–if you can’t save my wife, you can bury her with you.” 

Tears splashed on the back of my hand as he choked out, “Honey, we promised forever. You can’t leave me alone.” 

Mom dropped to her knees before the doctor. “Please, save my daughter. No matter the cost–take my life instead if you have to.” 

I closed my eyes. Maybe dying like this wouldn’t be so bad. 

When I woke again, I was back in my own room. 

Voices murmured at the door. 

“Mom, if you transfer all of Dad’s inheritance to me, won’t Linda be upset?” 

Mom chuckled indulgently. “She doesn’t get a say. She’s marrying Kenneth, so she’ll never have to worry about money. What’s this little bit to her? When your dad passed and things were hardest, I had acute leukemia. You were the one who gave me blood every day, who donated your bone marrow. That’s when I swore you’d be my only real daughter for the rest of my life. 

“This little bit of money means nothing. I still feel like I owe you. I know you love Kenneth, too. I’ve already talked to him. Linda’s condition means she can’t have children. On the wedding night, you’ll take her place and give him his first child.” 

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Caroline blushed. “I’ll do whatever you say, Mom.” 

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Mom pushed the door open and froze when she saw my eyes wide open. 

A flicker of guilt flashed across her face before she stammered, “Linda, since you’ve heard everything, I won’t hide it. The Thornton family is huge. They can’t go without an heir. But don’t worry, the title of Mrs. 

Thornton…” 

“I agree,” I cut in evenly. “Looking like this, I can’t even attend the wedding anyway. Let Carrie go in my place.” 

Mom’s smile bloomed instantly. “Good girl. You’ve really grown up.” 

Caroline’s eyes swept over my scarred skin with open disdain before she put on a show of concern. “Don’t worry, Linda. I’ll take good care of your husband for you.” 

I turned my head away, too tired to look at them. 

I only hoped that the day Mom learned the truth, she wouldn’t regret what her so–called only daughter had done back when she had leukemia. 

The wedding was held at the villa. 

Caroline’s idea, of course. 

She wanted me to watch her strip away everything I cared about, piece by piece. 

But I hadn’t expected her to be even crueler than I imagined. 

She pushed my door open, draped in a lavish wedding gown, her smile twisted with malice. “Even that massive fire couldn’t kill you. You really are a cockroach, Melinda.” 

I didn’t bother arguing. “You already got what you wanted. What else do you want?” 

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She laughed. “For you to die, obviously. Only then can I be Kenneth’s rightful wife.” 

She pulled out a lighter and flicked it, setting the curtains ablaze. 

The moment the flames caught, the blood drained out of my face. I dragged my battered body toward it, but she kicked me hard into the bedpost, then ran to the door, crying out. 

Kenneth burst in almost immediately, pulling Caroline into his arms. “Carrie, what happened? Are you hurt?” 

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Mom rushed in right after, and without even looking for injuries, shouted, “Get Carrie to the hospital!” 

Everyone surrounded Caroline. No one noticed the blood pouring from my head. 

Caroline clung to Kenneth’s chest, sobbing. “Kenny, I just wanted to cheer Linda up, but she said since her face is ruined, I shouldn’t get to wear a beautiful dress either. She set the fire and said she’d burn me too. I 

was so scared…” 

Kenneth’s glare at me could have set me on fire all on its own. 

“Are you insane? Carrie’s doing you a favor, and you repay her like this? Look at yourself–you make me sick.” 

Mom’s face twisted in disgust. “If I’d known you’d turn out like this, I would’ve let that fire kill you. You’re not even worth one of Carrie’s fingers. Being burned like this is what you deserve.” 

They carried Caroline out without a glance back. 

At the door, Kenneth threw one last look at the flames. “You love playing with fire? Then play all you want. Lock the door. No one opens it.” 

My shouts and pleas were cut off by the slam of the door. 

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Mom hesitated. “Kenneth, are you sure nothing will happen by locking her in like that?” 

t 

“What could happen? She lit it herself. You think she’s actually going to burn herself alive? She’s probably already hidden a fire extinguisher.” 

They took Caroline straight to the hospital, and only after confirming she was completely unhurt did Kenneth remember me. 

He sighed and unlocked his phone—just as a live news alert popped up about a massive fire at Alander Villa. 

His brow furrowed. He was about to call his butler, Daniel, when his call came first. 

“Let her out. I’ll take her on the honeymoon I planned–France, her 

favorite.” 

Daniel’s voice shook. “Mr. Thornton, the villa’s gone up in flames. Mrs. Thornton… she didn’t make it out.” 

Chapter 5