The day before the new software was set to launch, I was dragged into an alley by more than a dozen burly men.
By the time I was rescued, my intestines had prolapsed, and my limbs were twisted beyond recognition.
Clara, my sister, pulled every string she could, vowing to bring those who had harmed me to justice.
Her fiancé, and my closest friend, Wyatt, arranged for the country’s top medical team to fly in overnight to save me.
Yet, as I lay outside the emergency room, I overheard Wyatt’s hesitant voice.
"Honey, don’t you think we went too far? Hiring all those men to violate Jayce just so we could steal the software and get Henry’s version out first?"
Clara cast a complicated glance at me before gritting her teeth and replying, "Jayce is too selfish. He’s already the eldest heir of the Evans family, yet he still refuses to yield. He bullies Henry at every turn. Henry has always been fragile and sensitive because of his status as an adopted son. The only person he can rely on is me, his sister. I won’t let anyone stand in his way."
"As for Jayce, he carries the title of my biological brother. Even if he's been sullied, no one will dare say a word, . Once Henry wins this software award and secures his future, I will make it up to Jayce."
But, sister—you’ve already destroyed me.
How can there be a future for me?
The warmth in my heart faded into nothingness.
This home, built on lies and favoritism, meant nothing to me anymore.
——
The doctor hesitated, then confirmed again, "Ms. Evans, are you certain you don’t want to proceed with the surgery? If we delay any longer, Mr. Evans won’t just be crippled—he may end up paralyzed for life, permanently reliant on a catheter."
Without hesitation, Clara replied, "No surgery!"
Wyatt hesitated before attempting to persuade her. "Honey, look at him. His body is already in ruins. There’s no way he’ll be able to attend the software launch tomorrow. He’s your biological brother. Do you really want to watch him become a cripple?"
"So be it!" she snapped. "If he loses his limbs, he’ll finally stop trying to steal Henry’s spotlight. He doesn't have to worry. I’ll take care of him for the rest of his life."
With careful hands, she wiped the sweat from my forehead, her voice brimming with indulgence and affection.
"I promised Henry that he would win this award in glory. Only if Jayce is completely crippled will Henry have peace of mind."
Wyatt let out a heavy sigh and gave instructions to the doctors. "Give Jayce the best painkillers you have. Make sure he doesn’t suffer."
No one noticed how my body trembled uncontrollably. No one saw the silent tears rolling down my cheeks.
It was never an accident.
The sister I had trusted the most had orchestrated it all—just to eliminate me, the obstacle in Henry’s path.
Even the brother I had treated with sincerity was complicit.
The agony of betrayal shattered me.
Wyatt noticed the damp pillow beneath my head and with red-rimmed eyes, he tried to comfort me. "Jayce, it’s me, Wyatt. Did the pain wake you up? Don’t worry. I’m here with you."
Then, he turned and furiously snapped at the doctors. "What kind of pain management is this? Can’t you see how much he’s hurting?!"
Clara, usually cold and composed, clutched her face, tears streaming uncontrollably. She looked as if she wished she could take my suffering upon herself.
Through clenched teeth, she spat out, "How dare they hurt my brother like this?! Just throwing them in jail is too good for them! I should have had them torn to pieces and fed them to the sharks!"
Then, her tear-filled eyes turned to me. "Jayce, I’ve already called in the best specialists in the country to treat you. But... there was an accident on their way here. The soonest they’ll arrive is tomorrow."
"Don’t worry, even if it costs me everything, I’ll make sure you recover and continue developing your software."
I stared at her flawless performance, feeling numb.
My voice was weak as I asked, "Sis, will I really get better?"
"Yes," she assured me, "You will. Definitely."
