Chapter 4

I am sent home from the hospital. Nurses watch me around the clock. They won't let me hurt myself again.

My body is too weak. I sit in a wheelchair. I can't even use the bathroom without help.

Jade, on the other hand, runs and jumps like nothing happened.

She wears a pink chiffon dance dress and twirls in the garden, light on her feet.

Julian holds his phone, recording her. My three brothers watch without blinking. Their lips curl into soft, adoring smiles.

I feel boring. I turn my wheelchair around. I want to leave.

"Oh!" Jade suddenly trips and falls with a small thud.

"Jade!" The four men rush to her side.

I look back. Jade points at a loose latch that fell from my wheelchair. Her voice wobbles with tears.

"Ivy, I know you blame me for the wrong medicine and for losing the baby, and you must be jealous my heart got fixed and yours didn’t, but—"

She bursts into sobs. "I can finally dance. How could you do this on purpose and make me fall?"

Ethan kneels to check her leg, rubbing it gently.

Marcus's face darkens. Veins bulge on his forehead.

"Ivy Hart! What happened to the way we raised you? How did you become so cruel?"

The other three glare at me. Disgust in their eyes.

My ruined heart feels like someone just stabbed it again.

"I didn't," I rasp. "That part fell off yesterday—"

"Still lying! We really spoiled you too much."

Marcus raises his hand. He is about to slap me.

The blow is inches from my face before Julian steps between us.

"Marcus, Ivy has been through a lot. She needs time."

Oliver also tries to calm him down.

"Forget it. Jade mentioned wanting to try that new private restaurant. Let's take her out to celebrate."

He turns to me. his eyes are cold now.

"As for you. Stay home and think about what you did."

Julian hesitates. He wants to stay with me.

but Jade rushes forward and grabs his hand in front of me, shaking it like a child claiming a toy.

"Julian, come with me! You promised you'd buy me dinner if I was good during surgery."

Julian's face stiffens.

"I should stay with your sister… she—"

I stare at their intertwined hands until my throat goes dry.

"Just go. She wants you to."

Julian pats my head.

"All right. Wait for me at home. I'll bring back your favorite seafood porridge."

—

I sleep until three in the morning and wake to an empty bedside.

Julian never came home. The whole house is dark; only Jade’s room is lit.

The door is ajar.

As I closer, I hear the soft, syrupy sounds of her crying.

Julian’s voice, huskier than I’ve ever heard it, murmurs, "Shh. We have to stop. You just got better…"

Jade's voice trembles.

“Now that my heart’s fixed, when will you divorce her? I met you first. You were mine from the beginning.”

Julian answers, low and warm, “You’re my favorite, baby. But Ivy saved my life. I can’t abandon her. Besides, if you reaction after the surgery was very strong, we might need her blood to save you.”

"Julian…" Jade coos.

A cold basin of water is poured over my head.

All night I listen to them whisper and laugh, their sweet nothings spilling through the thin door.

My hands shake as I grip my phone. I lean against the wall. I close my eyes.

—

Morning comes. My three brothers leave for work and find me propped beside Jade’s door. “Ivy, what are you doing here?"they ask.

I give them a quick wave and then push my wheelchair inside Jade’s room without warning.

In the stunned silence on their faces, I throw back the covers.

Two bodies are tangled under the sheets—naked and breathless.

I raise my phone and start taking pictures.