Chapter 4

It seemed that in his long silence, Liam had finally managed to deceive himself.

I should have known. I should have known Liam was a man utterly devoid of responsibility.

Instantly, I felt all the strength drain from my body. A sharp, stabbing pain tore through my chest.

I knew. Perhaps the "poison" Liam himself had concocted was beginning to take its toll.

I slid weakly onto the bed, feeling a metallic, sickly sweet taste flood my mouth.

The next moment, a trickle of bright red blood slowly flowed from the corner of my lips, and I began to cough uncontrollably.

Liam, who had still been feeling a bit guilty, saw the blood at my mouth and instantly forgot the purpose of his visit.

He threw himself onto my bedside, his face panicked, grabbing my trembling hand and speaking anxiously.

"What's wrong with you? Haven't you been drinking the medicine I prepared for you properly?"

"You don't need to hurt yourself just to try and break up Bella and me. Why are you doing this?"

Hearing Liam's words, I just found it utterly laughable.

It wasn't because I *didn't* drink his concoction. It's because I *did*! His "medicine" is what put me in this hell!

Even now, he still believed everything I did was out of jealousy for his bond with Bella.

Liam Mason, should I say you're simply too arrogant?

I felt my chest about to explode, taking several deep breaths to steady myself.

Then, I forcefully shook off Liam's hand and spoke in a cold voice.

"Why bother with this pathetic pretense of concern? Weren't you here to accuse me of my supposed 'wrongdoings'?"

Liam stared blankly at his rejected hand, seemingly shocked that I would refuse his concern.

In his mind, my actions against Bella were always just a cry for his attention.

Rejected, Liam's expression turned furious again. He seemed to feel his authority had been challenged.

"You still have the nerve to bring that up? I was worried about your health, and you not only don't appreciate it, but you say such cruel things."

"Alice, don't make me hate you. I want you to be the compliant wife you used to be."

Unfortunately, I no longer wanted to comply. On what might be the last day in this body, I wanted to live for myself.

Before I could speak again, Bella pushed open the door, her face looking haggard.

Her hair was disheveled, and her cheeks bore several bruises, big and small.

Her expression was one of agony, of disbelief.

I watched her stagger towards my bed. As she nearly stumbled and fell, Liam reached out and caught her.

Bella leaned weakly into Liam's embrace, letting his strength support her.

Liam's eyes were filled with pained concern as he looked her over. Their gazes seemed to cling to each other, as if they might kiss any second.

I looked at their intimate actions and let out a bitter laugh.

If *that's* what they call innocent, then I must be a saint.

"Brother, it's all my fault. If I had just kept my distance from you, Sister Alice wouldn't be jealous."

"But I didn't want to sacrifice our decades-long bond. I'm sorry, I was too selfish."

Bella's obviously manipulative words struck Liam right in the heart.

He immediately turned to me, his eyes sharp.

"Look how understanding Bella is! Can't you learn something from her?"

"Apologize to Bella. You owe her that."

"All these years, if she hadn't been so generous, you'd have been utterly disgraced for your actions."

Bella didn't give me a chance to speak. Her eyes welling up with tears, she turned to me.

"Sister Alice, if you didn't like something, you could have just told me directly. There was no need to resort to such underhanded tactics."

I looked at the two of them, standing united against me, and my smile grew wider and wider.

I laughed louder and louder, almost hysterically.

I laughed at my own foolishness for ever thinking I wouldn't complete the system's mission and would grow old with Liam.

I laughed at myself for ever believing Liam's grand vows, not realizing his heart could hold two people.