Chapter 4

But I couldn't just stand by and watch my parents go to the billionaire's house.

Without a word, I rushed to the balcony, swung one leg over the railing, and threatened to kill myself.

"None of you are allowed to go! If you go, I'll jump from here!"

My parents were startled by my actions.

But the person even more agitated than my parents was Mr. Sterling. He quickly raised a hand to stop me.

"Lily, don't be impulsive, don't be impulsive! Let's talk this through!"

I didn't look at him, only stared at my parents, demanding they change their minds.

"Mom, Dad, promise me we won't go, okay? If Serena wants to go, let her go by herself, okay?"

My parents looked hesitant, even starting to wonder.

"Is this kid possessed?"

A profound sense of helplessness welled up in my heart. My voice rose to a shout.

"If you don't promise me, I'll jump from here right now!"

With that, I leaned further out, my whole body hanging precariously from the balcony. One gust of wind and I'd be gone.

My parents were still deliberating, truly unable to understand why I would refuse a good life and insist on staying in this poor place.

After a long time, my tears nearly dried, my parents finally nodded.

"Fine, if she doesn't want to go, then we won't. We're not meant for that kind of life."

My strength gave out, and I crumpled to the floor.

Mr. Sterling looked at me with a complex expression for a long time before speaking.

"Since she's unwilling to go, I won't force it. Serena, let's go home."

Serena was the first to object. She shrieked, her voice hoarse.

"No! Lily has to come with me!"

Her face twisted as she rushed over to me, frantically shaking my shoulders.

"Lily, why won't you go? You don't want a good life, are you crazy?!"

Her nails dug deep into my shoulder, and I gasped from the pain.

Mr. Sterling spoke up, displeased, his voice carrying a hint of authority.

"Serena, that's enough!"

His words acted like a tranquilizer. She froze. A fine tremor ran through her body.

She released me, her grip going slack. Her eyes were red-rimmed, still burning with defiance.

"Why? Are you insane? You're throwing away a fortune, a future."

To an outsider, it might have looked like genuine concern.

My parents stepped forward, patting Serena's shoulder soothingly, forcing a smile.

"Serena, if Lily doesn't want to go, fine. Just remember to take care of yourself when we're not around."

Serena shoved them away, her voice rising to a shout.

"Don't tell me what to do! I offered you a way out and you threw it in my face! You've brought this on yourselves!"

My parents opened their mouths, then closed them, the words dying into a helpless sigh.

Serena stood abruptly, shot me a venomous glare, and let her new father lead her away.

A wave of relief finally broke across my face.

But my parents couldn't smile. They looked at me with disappointment, before turning back to their work.

The day's turmoil left me drained.

I collapsed into bed, fell into a deep sleep, only to wake up staring at the roof of a car.

My eyes snapped open. My parents' voices cut through clearly.

"Thank goodness Serena had the foresight to drug her. Once Once Lily wakes up in that mansion, she'll never want to leave. Just stubborn, that girl!"