pter 3
“Ellie, are you serious? You’re really giving everything under your name to Ophelia?”
Sebastian grabbed my arm, his eyes filled with disbelief.
Now it was my turn to feel confused.
They had always sided with Ophelia. Whatever she wanted, they gave her. If I didn’t agree, I was
scolded endlessly. So now that I was willingly giving everything to Ophelia, why were they acting
like they didn’t understand?
Father was the first to recover, his expression filled with pride.
“This child has finally grown up. All our care wasn’t in vain.”
“Ellie, it’s a good thing you’ve learned to accept your sister. This is what a real family should be
like.”
“If you two live peacefully from now on, even when your mother and I grow old, we car: finally be at
ease.”
At ease?
Father, Mother… you’ve been fooled by Ophelia’s sweet and innocent act for far too long.
Do you really believe she’ll manage everything I’ve built?
Another wave of dizziness washed over me. My nose tickled, and when I reached up to touch it, I
realized I was bleeding.
“Ellie, why are you getting nosebleeds? The weather’s not even that dry lately,” my mother asked.
I paused as I wiped the blood away. In the end, I still couldn’t help but look at them and ask,
“Father, Mother… if one day, I really die from illness, would you feel sad for me?”
Mother’s expression didn’t change in the slightest. She only gave me a mildly annoyed look.
“You look perfectly healthy. Why say such ominous nonsense?”
“That’s right. Ophelia’s the one we should worry about. Once she gets better, she needs to focus on
recovering her strength,” Father added while glancing at her with concern.
“I think so too!” Alexa chimed in. “Mother’s totally fine. Aunt Ophelia is the one we should be taking care of!”
Chapter 3
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The last flicker of hope inside me finally vanished.
There was nothing left I hoped for…
I looked down at Alexa and smiled.
“Alexa, haven’t you always wished that Aunt Ophelia could become your real mother?”
“I’ll grant your wish. From now on, Ophelia is your mother. Aren’t you going to call her that?”
Alexa’s eyes lit up with joy. “Really?!”
I gave a faint smile.
“Once you call her ‘mother,‘ you can always eat the food she makes for you and spend all your time with her. Isn’t that what you’ve always wanted? Aren’t you happy now?”
Alexa jumped with excitement. “This is the best! You’re the best, Mother! Thank you!”
Then she let go of my hand and threw himself into Ophelia’s arms. Father, Mother, and Sebastian
all looked on, full of joy.
I turned and walked away, glancing back at them one last time.
They were all gathered around Ophelia, laughing and playing with Alexa. Sebastian stood by
with a gentle smile.
Not a single one of them noticed I had left.
I closed the door to Ophelia’s room behind me and walked out of the Nocturne family estate.
There was only one day left before my death. I had nowhere to go.
My life had been busy and rushed. I had never truly relaxed, never taken a real break to enjoy
myself.
So I boarded a boat heading for Vermilion Ridge. As the moonlight shimmered on the deck, I thought I might at least enjoy the scenery there…
But my strength gave out. Right before I lost consciousness, I blew my whistle and summoned my messenger crow. I tied a letter to its leg and sent it off.
Darkness swallowed my vision, I passed out completely.
Chapter 3
