Chapter 2

Victoria Carter snatched the disinfectant from the nurse's hand and snapped, "Get out!"

Then, with exaggerated care, she began tending to Sophia's minor wound herself.

While her mother leaned over the bed, gently dabbing at the small cut on her finger, Sophia glanced at the nurse and flashed a sly, wicked smile.

One of the nearby doctors clenched his fists in frustration, but no one dared to speak up.

After Victoria finished the bandage, Sophia, who suddenly wore a frail, innocent expression, murmured weakly, "Mom, what about Emily? Is she okay?"

At the mention of my name, the softness in Victoria's face vanished. She scoffed, "Why should we care about her? What could possibly be wrong with her?"

Sophia continued, her voice laced with false concern. "It's just… I thought I saw Emily get hurt, too. I'm worried. Maybe I should check on her."

She coughed twice, as if the effort of speaking was too much, and made a move to get up.

Victoria rushed to stop her, guiding her back down onto the hospital bed. "You're just too kind. That girl's always faking something. And you're the only one who ever believes her nonsense."

In Mom's eyes, no matter how much pain I was in, it was always an act. But if Sophia so much as cleared her throat, Mom would drop everything in a panic.

A doctor finally couldn't take it anymore and cautiously stepped forward, speaking quietly. "Dr. Carter… should we really ignore Emily? She was crying out for a long time at the hospital entrance."

Mom's face twisted in disgust. She exploded, "What are you stirring up now? You think defending her is going to make me see you as a kindhearted doctor? Get you a promotion?"

"But… Emily looked seriously hurt," the doctor said hesitantly.

Mom slammed the medicine bottle down onto the table. "What did that little brat promise you? Why are you defending her like this?"

The other doctors began to murmur their support.

"Dr. Carter, Emily is your daughter. It doesn't look good to have her lying outside like that. Can't we just bring her in first?"

"That's right," another added. "We can't risk it. She doesn't look like she's faking it."

Victoria, who always towered over others with her authority, erupted. "Enough! Are you all trying to revolt? Since when did you get to lecture me? She's my daughter—I know better than anyone whether she's faking or not!"

"She's just jealous I care for her sister and wants attention. If anyone opens that door for her today, they're fired tomorrow!"

As the dean of South Beach Elite Medical Center, Victoria knew how to use her position to intimidate the staff. The threat worked. The doctors fell silent, heads bowed like scolded children.

I'd long known Mom didn't love me. But I never imagined she could be so indifferent to whether I died or not.

Sophia and I had gone to the hospital together after school to see Mom. We never expected to walk into a terrorist attack right at the front entrance.

I was hit by a stray bullet in the abdomen. My organs were failing. I was dying.

Victoria arrived at the scene and heard the screams, but didn't even glance at me. She scooped Sophia into her arms and rushed inside the hospital.

To ensure Sophia got the best treatment, Mom shut down the entire hospital. As the dean, she had the power to do it. She ordered every doctor to perform full-body scans on Sophia—heart monitor, CT scan, even psychological evaluations—for a scratch on her finger.

I lay outside the doors, blood soaking my clothes, body trembling. I used what little strength I had left to beg.

"Mom... I'm really not going to make it. Please, please help me."

But she glared at me with disgust. "Cut the act! How did I give birth to a heartless thing like you? Do you really want your sister dead?"

What she didn't know was that this time, I wasn't pretending.

And I really died—right there, on the steps of her hospital.

Sophia gently tugged Mom's sleeve, trying to calm her. "Don't be mad, okay? It's my fault. I didn't know Emily was faking."

Mom softened instantly. She stroked Sophia's hair with affection. "You're still young. It's normal not to understand everything. A child should be simple and kind—not like Emily, who's got more schemes than strands of hair."

She sighed, and her expression turned sharp again. "She didn't protect you, let you get hurt, and now she has the nerve to put on a show and delay your treatment? Just wait till I get my hands on her."

Sophia looked up at her with a face full of understanding. "Mom, don't be too hard on Emily. Maybe she's still upset that I made her go live with Grandma in Homestead all those years ago."

At the mention of my grandma, my mind drifted back to five years ago.

Back then, Sophia and I were in the same elementary school.

Sophia didn't like studying. She was always finding excuses to skip class.

At first, Mom thought she was just feeling unwell. She didn't pay much attention.

But as Sophia kept getting away with it, her boldness grew. Eventually, she asked to drop out altogether.

Mom finally sensed something was off and started asking why.

But Sophia, always the obedient, sweet girl in front of Mom, would never admit to disliking school.

Instead, she pretended to be depressed.