The Heiress They Betrayed

Everyone in the city of Westrington knew that Claire Harrington, the youngest daughter the Harringtons found and brought back years ago, was the fiercest woman in town.

Her husband, Gavin Fulton, wasn't just the only heir to Fulton Group-he was also the most sought-after surgeon in the entire city.

They pampered Claire, let her run wild, and gave her everything she ever wanted.

Her older brother, Graham Harrington, had her back at the company. He once swore publicly that the company would always belong to Claire, and he was just the one making money for her.

The only one who ever encouraged her to step out of her comfort zone was Nina Harrington, the "wrong heiress" raised in Claire's place. Nina told her to be independent, to stop relying on others.

Claire laughed it off, thinking Nina was just overthinking everything.

Until the news hit-Nina had been stabbed in the Harrington Group underground garage.

Claire rushed to call the one person she trusted most-Gavin. But the reply from the hospital shattered her. Gavin was in surgery... saving the man who'd attacked Nina.

Even her brother Graham redirected all available medical staff to ensure the attacker survived.

Claire screamed. She begged. She dropped to her knees, pleading with them to save her sister.

But Graham simply ordered someone to restrain her. "Claire, calm down, would you? She's not even your real sister. Even if you lose her, you still have a husband and a brother who love you. But Marissa... she's different. And that man we're saving, he raised Marissa for over twenty years!"

1

Graham bent down gently and wiped the tears from Claire's face.

Then, without a flicker of hesitation, he signed the Do Not Resuscitate order and told the staff to send Nina-who hadn't even drawn her last breath-straight to the morgue.

"Stop crying, Claire. She's not worth your tears. I didn't want her to die either, but... unlucky things happen. Years ago, when I was trapped during that earthquake on a business trip, it was Marissa's frail adoptive father who dug me out with his bare hands. You're my real sister. That debt belongs to you to repay."

Same face. Same warm voice. But every word Graham said made Claire's blood run cold.

She couldn't understand it. How could her usually gentle brother say something so cruel?

She'd only known Nina for ten years, but Graham had lived with her for twenty-eight.

Hell, people got attached to their pets after a few years, and he had Nina for twenty-eight!

And even if he did owe that man something, why did it have to be paid with Nina's life?

Claire's eyes were burning red with rage. She ripped the signed DNR form from Graham's hands and tore it to shreds.

"She's still alive! And you-you won't save her, but you'll save the man who tried to kill her? You don't care? Fine. I do. As long as I'm still breathing, I won't stop until that bastard pays for what he's done!"

She turned and stormed off.

Gavin wasn't the only surgeon in the city. Even if he was in the OR, someone else could save Nina.

But before she got far, Marissa Rowe suddenly dropped to her knees and grabbed Claire's sleeve, sobbing.

"I'm sorry, Claire. This is all my fault. Punish me however you want! I just... I beg you, please spare my adoptive father. He's no saint, but he raised me for more than twenty years... If someone has to pay, let it be me. Take my life. Just let him go. That's the least I can do to repay him."

Graham rushed over and pulled her to her feet, his voice filled with anger and disappointment-directed not at Marissa, but at Claire.

"Look at what I've turned you into over the years... So selfish. So heartless. Nina was a fake heiress. A stand-in. She used the Harrington name to bully people for years. This? This is just karma."

Marissa shook her head gently. "Claire only did it out of desperation to save her sister. Please don't blame her."

Graham let out a cruel scoff. "Let me be honest with you, Claire, every surgeon capable of operating is already in that OR trying to Marissa's dad. As for Nina? The only place she's headed is the morgue."

Claire trembled with rage, her fists clenched so tightly that her nails pierced into her palms. But she seemed completely numb to the pain.

"I don't believe for a second that no doctor in all of Westrington can help her! Just wait and see!"

Kicking off her heels, Claire sprinted barefoot down the corridor, racing toward the hospital morgue.

By some miracle, she managed to catch the gurney just as it reached the doorway.

She tore away the bloodstained sheet without hesitation.

Nina was soaked in blood. The once-fair, beautiful face was now covered in deep, crisscrossing knife wounds.

The sight was gut-wrenching.

Yet even like this, she still forced a gentle smile at Claire.

"Don't cry, Claire."

Nina lifted a trembling hand, trying to wipe Claire's tears like she used to.

Claire grabbed her hand tightly, breaking down. "You'll be okay. I'll get you transferred. Someone will operate. I promise!"

But reality came crashing down like ice water.

Every hospital in Westrington turned her away. Even the few doctors she thought she had good relationships with responded coldly, "We're under strict orders from the top. No one is to perform surgery on Ms. Nina Harrington. Please don't make this harder for us. Honestly, you'd be better off begging that almighty brother of yours."

Claire was crushed. She had never imagined Graham could be this heartless.

She tried calling Gavin again, and again, but he never picked up.

Suddenly, Nina coughed hard, blood pouring from her mouth.

Claire panicked. One hand tried to hold Nina steady while the other pressed down on the gushing wound, desperate to stop the bleeding.

Tears streamed uncontrollably down her face. "Please... just hold on. I'll figure something out. I swear I'll save you."

Nina slowly shook her head, her pale lips moving as if trying to say something.

Claire leaned in close, ear nearly touching her mouth, finally able to make out the words.