Chapter 8

• Emily’s POV
• Jasper stayed with me all night, but I eventually sent him back to eat.
• I lay quietly on the hospital bed, still feeling pain all over my body.
• But the feeling of having someone by my side even in death made me inexplicably happy.
• As I was reminiscing about last night's conversation with a smile, a sudden commotion outside the ward interrupted my thoughts.
• The door was pushed open abruptly, and Mom led a group of people into the room.
• In an instant, my hard-earned peace was shattered, but I had nowhere to hide.
• She had a fake look of affection on her face as she reached out to touch my cheek.
• "Why don't you tell us anything, child?"
• I avoided her hand, unable to hold back a cold smile.
• "Would you believe me if I told you?"
• "I said I didn't push Holly, but you didn't believe me. I said Holly wasn't bullied at school, but you didn't believe me. I said I didn't steal her things, but you still didn't believe me. You always just punish me instead of solving the problem."
• "I've been locked up in that dirty and smelly attic for so many years,” I continued. “After getting sick, I've been coughing and struggling to breathe. I’ve even been coughing up blood. You all saw it but chose to ignore it. And now, you blame me for not speaking up sooner!"
• Holly stood behind the crowd, suddenly feeling a sense of unease. She quickly changed the subject and rushed to my bedside, kneeling on the ground.
• "Emily, I'm sorry. Alex and I were just drunk that night. I'm sorry."
• "If hitting me will make you feel better,” she said, “go ahead."
• At the mention of his name, Alex’s expression turned complex, but he started lecturing nonetheless.
• "Emily, at a time like this, are you still holding onto grudges?"
• "Although your personality is terrible, we can all tolerate it. The most important thing now is to focus on getting better." His eyes showed a mix of helplessness and pity. "As long as you stop causing trouble, I will always be by your side."
• I tried to sit up and confront him, but my arms were weak, so I just lay there, staring at him.
• "You chased me for so many years. We lived together for three years, and yet you slept with my sister after a little bit of alcohol and abandoned me. Who would believe you?"
• "You better stay away from me, idiot. As long as you don't abandon Cook, I'll be grateful."
• Upon hearing this, Alex felt guilty and lowered his head.
• Mom’s face looked ugly, but to me, she was just blaming me for losing face and ruining the family's reputation.
• She cleared her throat and spoke in a somewhat forceful tone, saying, "Emily, let's talk about these things at home. We can arrange the best medical team for you."
• In the past, I might have believed such words. But I nearly died once, so what was there that I couldn’t see through now?
• I was dying, and they came running to play the "loving family" act.
• I gave my mother a cold glance with no trace of emotion in my eyes other than hatred and alienation.
• "You always said you wanted me dead. Now that I'm actually dying, you should be happy."
• "Have you forgotten how you cursed me to death all these years?" I asked.
• Ethan couldn't stand it anymore and interrupted, "Emily, with your stubborn personality, are you blaming Mom? She told you to die out of anger, just because she loved Dad too much."
• Dad.
• They still had the nerve to mention Dad?!
• I suddenly grabbed the vase at the bedside table and smashed it on the floor. Holly was startled and rushed into Mom's arms.
• Mom instinctively protected her, holding her tightly in her arms as she stared at me. But the moment she met my eyes, she flinched.
• "You talk about loving Dad, but you forgot his death anniversary!"
• With a voice that almost trembled in anger, I said, "On Dad's death anniversary, you threw a party for this unrelated adopted daughter!"
• "When he was alive, you always suppressed him, despised him, and looked down on him. You thought you were a rich lady, and you despised him for being a poor singer!"
• "But I've heard it,” I said. “I've heard Dad's songs. They were so moving and so gentle. Even though he knew you didn't love him, he still deeply loved you. He wrote so many love songs for you, but you didn't want to hear a single one! You even forbade him from singing at home!"
• The intense emotions made my symptoms start to show. Breathing became a struggle, and I was wracked with violent coughs.
• The pain in my chest was almost enough to kill me. My face had gone pale, and I had to wipe away the blood I coughed up.
• Mom wanted to come and comfort me, but I pushed her away. Enduring the pain with reddened eyes, I continued, "And you, Ethan, always mocking Dad's not-so-glamorous profession. But don't forget that you also fell asleep listening to his lullabies when you were a child! While this woman never sang you to sleep!"
• "You abused me, showering other people's daughters with love and humiliating me and Dad. You rotten people, you don't know what love is!"
• "You... all of you, get out of here! You don't deserve to mention him!!" I screamed at the top of my lungs.
• The alarm of the detector then went off, while I trembled, clutching my chest.
• Seeing my miserable state, Alex showed a rare look of pity in his eyes.
• Just as he was about to reach out to me, Jasper grabbed his shoulder and violently threw him to the ground.
• The sound of Alex's screams caught the attention of others, and as everyone turned to look, Jasper rushed towards me.
• His hands covered my forehead, radiating warmth.
• "It's okay. I'm here."
• Those were the last words I heard before the doctors arrived and surrounded me, and then I passed out.
• Jasper's eyes turned cold the moment I fainted.
• His gaze swept over the crowd.
• "It seems like you all really need a lesson."