Chapter 4
537 Words
"Helena, I know you're not afraid of anything. But I also know your best friend owns a flower shop. I heard fire inspections have been pretty strict lately. If they find any violations, not only could the shop be shut down, but someone might even end up spending a few days in jail. And besides…"
All the strength drained from my body in an instant. I slid down against the glass and collapsed onto my knees.
No matter what they did to me, I could grit my teeth and endure it.
But I could not accept innocent people being dragged into this—let alone having their lives destroyed because of me.
I closed my eyes as tears streamed into my mouth, bitter and stinging.
"I admit it. I'll do whatever you say."
A trace of hesitation flickered across Damien's face, but it quickly disappeared.
"Tomorrow night at the charity gala, you'll publicly apologize to Alice. You'll admit that jealousy drove you to do all those things. As long as you behave, no one's life will be ruined."
The next day, I was released on bail and taken straight to the event venue.
I was dressed in filthy clothes, my hair disheveled, my face pale and exhausted.
Meanwhile, Alice wore a custom white evening gown and clung to Damien's arm as she basked in everyone's admiration and envy.
Suddenly, the lights dimmed, and a single spotlight landed on me.
Like a clown, I was exposed to the judgmental eyes of the entire room.
Whispers erupted from every corner.
"So she's the sister who embezzled company funds?"
"I heard she was jealous of her sister and even filed a false report claiming he was engaged to two women at once."
"She's shameless. You can tell just by looking at her that she's trouble."
My father stepped onto the stage, tears streaming down his face as he spoke. "What a disgrace to our family! To think we raised such a rebellious daughter! But blood is still blood. As long as she's willing to repent, we're prepared to give her one final chance."
Damien walked over to me and handed me a confession letter that had clearly been prepared in advance.
My hands trembled as I accepted it. Every single word felt like my dignity was being grounded beneath someone's shoe.
"I am a sinner… I was jealous of my sister… I was greedy for money…"
When I finished reading the final sentence, silence filled the room.
Damien glanced at Alice standing below the stage before turning back to me.
"If you're going to apologize, then show some sincerity."
I jerked my head up to stare at him. Every gaze in the room pierced into me like needles.
The man I had loved for ten years now looked like a devil before my eyes, forcing me to kneel before the mistress who had stolen everything from me.
I saw the smug satisfaction in Alice's eyes.
I saw the cold indifference on my father's face.
I saw the impatience in Damien's gaze.
"Helena Prescott, don't make me repeat myself."
My knees slammed hard against the floor.
I knelt before Alice.
At that moment, every last fragment of my pride shattered completely.
- Writer
