Chapter 4

"Why did you come out?"

Lucas's tone instantly softened.

She lowered her head. The moment her eyes reddened, Lucas panicked, pulling her into his arms and coaxing gently, "Who made our Mia upset?"

Only then did Mia smile through her tears, lightly hitting his shoulder. "I heard Kiera was here. I came out to see."

"Now you've seen her. Satisfied?"

He asked Mia, but his eyes were on me.

I thought she should be satisfied.

The Sterling family heiress who once rescued her during a mission now stood before her in tattered clothes, hair matted with blood and sweat, utterly wretched.

What wasn't there to be satisfied about?

I wanted to question them, but I didn't dare—afraid that if Mia became unhappy, my mother wouldn't survive even her last few days.

I forced myself to produce a pleasing smile.

"Mia, long time no see."

She was more natural than I was.

"Kiera, you didn't need to come specially. I've already forgiven you."

I looked up at her.

Forgiven me?

Forgiven me for throwing away the phone she used to seduce someone else's boyfriend, or forgiven me for blocking her path to becoming Mrs. Davis?

I was momentarily dazed, just staring at her blankly.

But Lucas suddenly got angry.

"Mia's being generous enough to forgive you. Shouldn't you say thank you?"

A thousand arrows pierced my heart.

I bit down hard on my jaw, holding back tears.

The words of gratitude ground between my teeth again and again, my tongue tasting blood before they finally broke free, "Thank you."

Lucas looked away, pulling out a black card and placing it in Mia's palm.

"There's fifty million in here. You decide whether to give it to her."

My eyes lit up immediately.

If I could just get the money, my mother could live.

I looked at Mia hopefully, only to see her slowly curl her fingers around the card.

Mia's lips curved slightly. "Kiera made the whole team mock me back then and made Lucas misunderstand me. I can't let her off that easily."

Lucas smiled and tapped her nose affectionately.

"Whatever you say."

I panicked instantly.

My mother was waiting for this money to survive. I'd already used all our savings trying to plug the holes in the family business.

Now penniless, I was being hounded by creditors and enemies every day.

My mother's heart was already weak. The shock sent her to intensive care.

This was my last chance, right in front of me. I begged desperately, "Mia, I'm sorry. I was wrong. You can punish me however you want. Please help me."

Mia tilted her head thoughtfully, then said playfully, "How about this—if Kiera barks like a dog for me, I'll give you the card. Deal?"

She smiled sweetly, but her words were poison. "Make it sound real, okay? I heard Kiera used to be amazing at disguises and imitations during missions."

Lucas remained silent, standing beside Mia as if backing her up.

"Don't want to..." She started to put the card back in her pocket with mock regret.

I immediately cried out, "I will!"

As soon as the words left my mouth, she laughed triumphantly, her eyes crinkling as she waited for my performance.

I glanced at the unmoved Lucas. My throat felt like it had been scraped with sandpaper.

It was just a few barks, yet it felt like being stripped naked in public.

I opened my mouth. No sound came out.

My nails dug into my palms. The taste of blood filled my mouth.

"Woof..."

When the first sound escaped, I heard my voice trembling.

"Woof woof..."

The second was clearer. Someone in the hallway couldn't help laughing.

"Sounds so real," someone whispered.

Mia laughed with satisfaction, then pretended to be regretful. "Oh Kiera, I was just joking. Why did you actually do it?"

I didn't stop. I lowered my head and continued, "Woof woof woof..."

Each sound scraped my throat like a blade.

"Oh..." Mia sighed lightly and tossed the card at my feet.

I bent down to pick it up, tears falling onto the gold-embossed surface.

My mother could be saved.

Lucas, I'll never dare to love you again.