The next morning, I was awakened by loud noises coming from outside.
Still groggy and confused, I sat up just as a servant knocked on my door.
"Miss, Mr. Herbert has invited a circus to perform. He asked me to tell you to come downstairs and watch."
I straightened my clothes, feeling a wave of disbelief. Did he really think a circus performance could make up for everything that had happened? Besides, I had never liked circuses. It was always Adeline who loved these kinds of spectacles, not me.
I opened my mouth to refuse, but the door swung open again before I could speak. Adeline entered, her arm wrapped intimately around Brian’s. A sweet, fake smile bloomed on her face. She hurried over to me, grasping my hand as if we were the closest of sisters.
Her voice turned soft and coaxing as she said, "Lilian, come on, just go. Brian’s been planning this for a long time to make you happy. If you don’t go, he’ll be sad."
Brian stood behind her, watching me closely with a faint glimmer of anticipation in his eyes.
"Let’s just go take a look, alright?"
The two of them were perfectly in sync, like they were performing a well-rehearsed duet. I felt as if a heavy stone was pressing down on my chest, suffocating me. But with Adeline tugging at me and Brian’s eyes fixed on me, I had no choice but to follow. I was dragged downstairs like a prisoner.
In the yard, a makeshift stage had been set up. A fire-breather was performing, sending blazing orange-red flames shooting high into the air. The heat was so intense that it burned my face from where I stood.
As the performance continued, Adeline clung tightly to Brian’s arm. She was whispering to him and laughing softly. Meanwhile, Brian gently wiped sweat from her forehead and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Their affectionate gestures were so natural, like a real couple deeply in love.
I stood off to the side, completely forgotten. Just a silent observer. Suddenly, Brian’s phone rang. He leaned close to Adeline, murmured something to her and then walked toward a corner to take the call.
Meanwhile, I couldn’t help but stare at the raging flames. There was an uneasy feeling creeping over me. My instincts screamed that something terrible was about to happen.
And then I met Adeline’s gaze. The sweet, sisterly smile she had worn moments ago had vanished. In its place was a strange, twisted smirk that sent chills racing down my spine.
Before I could react, she lunged forward, grabbed my arm with a grip like iron and shoved me toward the flames behind the safety line.
"Ah!" I screamed as I struggled desperately to pull free, but her strength was terrifying.
The searing heat rushed against my skin as the flames leapt closer, scorching me. Then, Adeline let go of me in a single motion. And with a loud, pitiful cry, she flung herself even closer to the fire.
"Help me! Brian!" she screamed.
Brian’s head snapped up the instant he heard her voice. He dropped his phone without hesitation and charged through the cordon like a madman. In one swift move, he scooped Adeline into his arms and stumbled back to safety.
After Brian managed to keep his balance, his face turned grim. He then turned to me as he looked at me with his eyes blazing with fury. Without warning, his hand struck my cheek with a sharp crack.
He shouted at me, gritting his teeth, "Why did you push Adeline? Do you want to kill her?"
My ears rang, my whole body stunned. I stared at him, utterly bewildered, unable to comprehend what had just happened. Brian didn’t wait for an answer. His expression twisted with fury as he shoved me hard.
I lost my balance and fell backward, hitting the ground. My shoulder brushed against the edge of the spreading flames. Immediately, I shouted.
The sound made Brian freeze. He looked down at me lying on the ground. For a brief second, a flicker of heartache flashed in his cold eyes.
However, Adeline clutched his chest as she weakly said, "Brian, Lilian … she looks more seriously hurt than I am. Take her to the hospital first…"
Without further ado, Brian glanced at me with visible disgust. He then looked back at the fragile woman in his arms. His voice was cold, commanding as he ordered his bodyguards, "Take her too. We’re going to the hospital!"
Then, he carried Adeline to the car like she was the most precious thing in the world without even glancing back at me.
Meanwhile, I was lying on the ground. The pain in my shoulder became more unbearable. My vision blurred slowly. Just as the bodyguards rushed to lift me, everything went black.
