I packed all my things in my room before stepping out the moment I saw Adeline leaning casually against the second-floor railing. She held the engagement ring Brian had given me while she showed off a smug smile on her face.
"Lilian, was that kidnapping game fun last time?"
"You still haven’t learned your lesson, have you? No one will believe you. They’ll only believe me. You’re nothing but a liar."
"Oh, I forgot to tell you! The men who beat you were sent by Brian himself. It was his punishment for making me sick with your little self-made drama!"
After that, Adeline laughed loudly as she rubbed her fingertips against the smooth ring. Then, all of a sudden, her grip loosened. The ring then slipped from her hand, clattering down the stairs with a sharp sound.
"What did you just do?"
Without realizing it, I shouted as I rushed forward to catch the bracelet. But as I passed her, Adeline suddenly leaned forward to block my path. Her lips curled into a cold smile. She grabbed my hand and deliberately placed it on her shoulder.
With a piercing scream, Adeline then threw herself backward and tumbled down the stairs. By the time I realized it, Adeline was already on the ground. She was half-kneeling, tears streaming down her face.
She wailed pitifully, "Ah! It hurts!"
Footsteps thundered up the stairs. Brian and my parents appeared in a rush. From where they stood, they saw me at the top of the staircase while Adeline curled on the floor below, sobbing.
Brian stormed up the last few steps, grabbed my arm and shouted, "Lilian! How could you push Adeline?"
"I didn’t push her!"
I glared at him, forcing each word out through gritted teeth as I said, "She fell on her own!"
My father’s face turned red with anger as he shouted, "Are you still lying? You know Adeline’s health isn’t good. How could you be so cruel?"
My mother’s expression was icy as she stepped forward and shoved me hard. My lower back slammed into the railing. A sharp pain shot through me, making me gasp.
On the floor, Adeline sat up slightly and clung to Brian’s clothes with tears glistening in her eyes.
"Brian, don’t blame Lilian. Maybe I accidentally bumped into her and made her angry. Just … pretend I fell on my own. Don’t make things difficult for my parents."
Adeline’s pitiful act only made Brian’s expression grow darker and darker. He snatched the engagement ring from my hand and hurled it to the floor. It shattered instantly, fragments scattering everywhere.
Then, Brian turned to me as he looked at me with eyes burning with fury.
"Why do you always hurt and put the blame on Adeline? Do you know that intentionally harming someone can land you in prison for years?"
I stared at the broken ring. My heart couldn’t help but twist painfully. The man I loved most stood firmly by Adeline’s side once again. He was defending her without question.
Slowly, a bitter smile spread across my face.
"You want to send me to the police because of this? Fine by me. Let them check the CCTV footage and see who staged this little performance!"
I shoved Brian away, raised my hand and slapped Adeline across the face. The sharp crack echoed through the hall.
"See that? This time, I really hit you. I won’t let him falsely accuse me without proof."
Adeline froze. Her hand was covering her cheek. For a moment, she forgot to even cry.
Brian snapped out of his shock and raised his hand. His palm struck my face with full force. His eyes looked at me coldly.
"I haven’t even dealt with what happened last time. You’ve barely left the hospital and you’re already targeting Adeline again. I’ll send you to prison. You can stay there until you’ve reflected on your actions. When you finally understand what you’ve done, I’ll come to get you."
Before I could respond, his bodyguards grabbed me and dragged me toward the door. Brian didn’t even glance at me. Instead, he turned and gathered Adeline into his arms, his eyes full of heartache as he comforted her.
The moment I had come at the police station, he followed shortly after. He then threw a confession document onto the table in front of me.
"Put your signature on it," he ordered coldly.
I got the pen on my hand. However, I ripped the paper to pieces instead of signing. Looking up, I met his gaze and let out a low, mocking laugh.
"Brian, why should I sign something when I’ve done nothing wrong? If you really want to put me in jail, don’t hide behind excuses. I want to see just how far you’ll go for Adeline."
Brian looked as if he was choked. His expression shifted several times before he turned away sharply.
"Lock her up for now. Release her tonight. Let her reflect on herself," he coldly ordered the police.
Without looking back at me, he walked out. I watched his retreating figure while my eyes were swollen with unshed tears. My heart felt like it was being stabbed over and over again.
Between Adeline and me, he had never once hesitated. Even when I was innocent, he would always choose her. He kept pushing me deeper and deeper into the abyss.
