Chapter 2 2

Chapter 2

After the conniving family left, I turned my gaze to the young boy standing with his head bowed inside the room-my younger brother, Samuel.

Since our mother passed away, I had harbored resentment and, with delicate health, had neglected to care for my brother. Seeing our stepmother's seemingly kind demeanor and the lack of disturbances, I left my brother in her care. Looking back now, I realized this was a grave mistake.

My brother had often been rebellious at home and frequently got into conflicts at school. Now, it seemed clear that our stepmother had deliberately tried to ruin him.

"Everyone, leave," I commanded. The servants in the room quickly exited. Despite my mother's passing, her loyal subordinates continued to guard this courtyard. Outwardly, my life seemed unaffected. Unable to confront me openly, they sought to slowly wear me down, hoping I would succumb to illness.

"From now on, you'll stay with me," I told my brother.

He looked up, tears in his eyes. "Sister, they're all bad people," he sobbed.

I gently stroked his head. "I know now, don't worry. I'll protect you."

During my days of unconsciousness, I learned that my stepmother, who appeared so considerate, had been tampering with my medicinal supplements. It wasn't poison, or my physician would have detected it. Instead, it was a strong tonic. For someone like me, who had been ill for a long time, such a tonic was like a death sentence.

My stepsister and my fiancé, whom I despised, were engaged in a secret affair, secretly wishing for my death. As long as I lived, my fiancé couldn't break off the engagement, and he didn't dare to do so.

The most surprising betrayal came from my father. My stepmother and stepsister were outsiders; I wouldn't grieve for them. But my father, who adored me the most besides my mother, had allowed my stepmother to harm me and lead my brother astray, treating him harshly.

I nonchalantly tossed the tonic aside. If they were going to be ruthless, they shouldn't blame me for fighting back with everything I had.