Chapter 3

I stumbled out of the hospital, barely able to keep my balance. When I arrived at the Seabreeze Gallery, a massive poster of Lila Ross was already hanging at the entrance.

Through the floor-to-ceiling window, I saw something that made my chest tighten and my breath stop. Lila wasn't suffering from any "eye pain." She stood before my mother's most treasured painting, Iris Horizon, holding a utility knife in her hand.

"This outdated trash actually made it onto this wall?" she sneered, raising the blade.

Rip—The canvas tore open under her knife.

"Stop!" I screamed, charging inside.

Before I could reach her, two bodyguards grabbed me and slammed me to the ground. My cheek pressed against the cold floor.

Lila looked down at me with a smirk, then tapped my face with the back of the knife. "Well, look who's here. The blind Clara."

"Ethan said all the artwork here is mine now," she said sweetly. "And I think it's cursed—just like you. Belongs in the trash."

"You liar! You stole those eyes!" I thrashed against the guards' grip.

Lila laughed wildly, her voice sharp and mocking. "So what? As long as Ethan believes me, it's the truth. Clara Sullivan, you've lost."

Just then, the screens in the mall outside flickered and cut to breaking news.

[Breaking News: Renowned ophthalmologist and Boston Elite heir Simon Chase returns to the U.S. today with honors!]

Simon!

My childhood friend. My best friend!

Three years ago, when everything happened, he was away in isolation training.

Now he was back!

My only hope!

I bit down hard on the guard's wrist, using all my strength to break free and rush out the door.

"Clara Sullivan! Stop right there!" Ethan's car had just pulled up. His furious roar chased me down the street.

I darted into a phone booth at the corner and, with trembling fingers, dialed the number I still remembered by heart.

Ring... ring...

Then a cool, familiar voice answered. "Who is this?"

Tears poured down my face. "Simon... take me away. It's Clara. Please... help me."

Chaos burst from the other end. That noble voice trembled. "Clara? Where are you? Don't be afraid, I'm coming right now!"

Before I could answer, the phone booth door was yanked open. Ethan seized the receiver and slammed it down.

"Who were you calling? Simon Chase?" His eyes blazed with fury, as if he'd just caught a cheating wife. "Seems I've been too kind to you."

He dragged me back to the Ford Cliffside Estate.

Lila was already lounging on the couch when we arrived, playing her part again. "Ethan, why did Clara run away again? Did I upset her somehow?"

Without a word, Ethan threw me onto the carpeted floor. Then he turned, his tone softening as he asked Lila, "Your eyes bothering you again?"

Lila's tears came right on cue. "Yes... It's like being stabbed with needles. The doctor said it might be... the resentment from the original owner..."

Ethan turned to me, his gaze dark and venomous. "You hear that? Because of your unwillingness to let go, Lila is suffering."

He gestured, and Mrs. Ellis brought over a paper cutter.

He grabbed my right hand, the blade pressing against the tendon.

"What are you doing?" I screamed in panic.

"This hand of yours—causing trouble, reaching out to other men—it's worthless now." His voice was eerily gentle. "Once I ruin these hands, you won't be able to stir up trouble anymore. Maybe then you'll finally focus on atoning."

"No! Please don't!"

The blade sliced open my skin. Blood welled up instantly.

He was serious!

If he destroyed my hands, it would be all over. Simon hadn't arrived yet...

Just as the blade was about to sever my tendon, I broke.

"I was wrong!" I collapsed to the floor, sobbing, my forehead hitting the ground. "I was wrong! I was jealous of Lila! Please, don't hurt my hands! I'll sign the confession. I'll admit to everything. Please!"

The blade stopped. Ethan smiled with satisfaction. He put the knife away and patted my head, like I was a well-trained dog. "See? Isn't it better to behave?"

He wiped the blood from my wrist and leaned in close to whisper in my ear. "Tomorrow is my wedding to Lila. I want you to read the confession out loud. In front of the entire island. Apologize to Lila."

He pointed to the urn on the shelf. "If you do it properly, I'll return your mother's ashes—right there in front of everyone. This is your last chance."

I knelt on the floor, nails digging into my palms. But I lowered my head, hiding the hatred in my eyes. "Fine... I agree."

Ethan Ford, you think this is my surrender?

No.

This is the prelude to your funeral.