"Remember when you fell down the stairs to save Bryan three years ago?" Livia chuckled. "When Bryan came to, I quickly told him you helped him because you felt guilty. I said you’d just been on a date with your first love."
Livia’s words pushed me to recall the past.
I fell down the stairs. I was injured. I lost consciousness trying to save Bryan.
But no wonder that man wasn’t grateful to me. He acted cold instead. Bryan spent time with Livia, whom I used to think was truly Bryan’s adopted sister—turns out that was the reason.
“And there are so many more of your kindnesses that I’ve manipulated,” Livia giggled. “And how foolish of Bryan to always trust me.”
I couldn’t hold back anymore. My hand slapped Livia’s cheek hard. This time I was truly furious.
“You cruel woman!”
Livia screamed loudly and stepped back. Bryan immediately burst in, pushing the door open.
“She slapped me, Bryan!” she screamed hysterically. “I say sorry, but she said she’d kill me for taking the Bocuse d’Or Europe golden ticket!”
Bryan turned to me, his face twisted in disgust. “Are you out of your mind? How dare you attack Livia?"
"What else did you expect?" I asked, my voice trembling with disgust. "You’ve taken everything from me. You put me in the hospital while you celebrated Livia’s victory."
"Elena, stop being so dramatic," Bryan sighed, running his fingers through his hair. "It’s all over now. To be my wife, you’d better behave, got it?”
“Wife?” I laughed out loud. “I don’t want that.”
Bryan’s eyes narrowed. His eyebrows arched sharply. “Elena, I have to punish you,” his voice dropped low.
“How many times did she slap you?” Bryan asked, turning to Livia.
“Three,” she said, lying through her teeth.
Bryan stepped closer to me. Within seconds, his hand slapped me hard.
Three times.
The corner of my lip was bleeding.
My head was spinning, my body went limp. And slowly, I closed my eyes.
I was just pretending to faint. It hurt, but not enough to make me lose consciousness.
And then I heard what they were saying.
“Don’t hurt her again.” Livia’s voice—soft yet venomous—pierced my ears.
“Why is your heart so noble, Livia? She just tried to kill you.”
“To be honest, this time I’m really upset.”
“Then what do you want, darling?” Bryan asked softly. “Do we need to kill her father in prison?”
Secretly, my heart burned as I listened to their malicious conversation.