Rylee’s POV
The day after that, Vlad didn’t come back.
In the photo Madeline posted on her Facebook, Vlad was sitting gently by her hospital bed, his gaze filled with an affection so deep it seemed impossible to melt away.
The next day was my twenty-fifth birthday.
My parents—who had never once thrown me a birthday party—had surprisingly arranged a celebration early that morning.
All because Madeline’s make-up celebration just happened to fall on the same day.
That morning, I stood quietly in a plain white dress in the corner, watching Madeline surrounded by guests at the center of the room.
My parents were busy greeting people, but Vlad and Madeline were nowhere to be seen.
A strange tightness seized my chest. I wanted to go to the bathroom, splash some water on my face, and calm myself down.
I had just reached the door when obscene panting and hushed whispers drifted out from inside.
Madeline’s voice was soft and coquettish.
“Vlad… you’re so bad!”
Vlad was breathing heavily, his voice low and seductive.
“Maddie, wait a little longer. Once you’re completely better, we’ll get married. I’ll give you a grand wedding.”
Then came a long, suppressed groan.
My stomach churned violently. Nausea surged up as I clapped a hand over my mouth and stumbled into the garden.
I don’t know how much time passed before Madeline’s voice sounded behind me.
Her cheeks were still flushed. Holding a glass of champagne, she walked over and leaned close to my ear, letting out a soft laugh.
“Rylee, did you like the sound of Vlad and me being so loving? Why did you run off so fast?”
I took a sharp breath, clenching my fists so hard my nails dug into my flesh.
She smiled and continued mocking me.
“Vlad said you’ve miscarried three times. That you’re all loose and saggy now. It disgusts him.
“Every time after he sleeps with you, he washes himself for a long time. He even kneels in front of me, begging me not to be angry.
“Oh, but you should thank me. If I didn’t need your blood, you wouldn’t even qualify to be Mrs. Armstrong. You should be grateful that you—and your children—still had some use.”
Every single word stabbed into my heart like a sharp blade.
Scenes from the past flooded my mind.
Ever since childhood, whenever Madeline got sick, my parents would force me to go to the hospital to give blood, calling it ‘preparing a blood reserve’ for her.
And Vlad… Only now did I realize that he had long been involved with the sister I hated most.
Marrying me was nothing more than a way to keep me close, so my blood would always be available for Madeline.
My entire body trembled. The rage inside me finally broke free. I raised my hand and slapped her hard across the face.
The sound was so loud that people inside the living room all turned to look at us.
Madeline covered her face, staring at me in disbelief.
She never expected me to actually hit her. From when we were young to now, I had always been the one who swallowed everything.
Her eyes reddened instantly, tears falling like beads from a broken string.
“Y-You actually dared to hit me?!”
As soon as the words left her mouth, a flash of viciousness crossed her eyes.
She turned and somehow pulled out a fruit knife, plunging it into her own arm without hesitation.
Blood instantly soaked her long dress as she screamed in terror.
Before I could even react, she shoved the knife into my hand.
Vlad rushed over at the sound, catching Madeline just as she was about to faint and pulling her into his arms.
She cried hysterically.
“Vlad! It hurts so much... Rylee… She… she tried to kill me!”
Vlad completely panicked. He tore open his shirt and pressed it against her bleeding arm.
My parents rushed over, too. When Mom saw the wound on Madeline’s arm, she let out a shrill scream and pointed at my nose, cursing wildly.
“Rylee?! You heartless lunatic! Maddie kindly threw you a birthday party, and you actually tried to kill her!”
Dad’s face was livid, his eyes blazing with fury. He stepped forward and slapped me hard across the face.
The force sent me crashing straight to the ground. Blood seeped from the corner of my mouth.
Vlad looked down at me from above, his face twisted with rage.
“Apologize!”
I wiped the blood from my lips, lifted my head, and met his eyes. My voice was icy.
“I didn’t do it! Why should I apologize?”
He exploded instantly, reaching out and ripping the necklace from my neck.
My eyes immediately went wide open, completely forgetting the pain as my skin was scratched raw.
That necklace was made from the ashes of my deceased child. It was my birthday gift to myself.
It was the only thing I planned to take with me when I left this place.
I stood up and lunged to grab it, but he shoved me away.
Holding the necklace, he lowered it slowly toward the bonfire.
“Rylee, I’ll give you one last chance. Apologize.”
The flames began to lick at the necklace bit by bit. I screamed hoarsely.
“Don’t! Vlad! That was your child, too!”
But he didn’t hesitate, continuing what he was doing.
Like a madwoman, I turned toward Madeline.
“I’m sorry, Madeline. I’m sorry. Please forgive me.”
The moment the words left my mouth, I ran toward the fire.
Just as I was about to catch the necklace, Madeline collapsed behind me.
Seeing this, Vlad immediately threw the necklace aside and sprinted toward her.
