6
Dad looked at me with disappointment.
“Daisy, don’t blame us for being heartless.
The Millers are working with the Holbrook’s,
so we need you to behave yourself. You’ve
ruined your body and your reputation. We’re
going to marry you off. We’ll say you have a
mental illness. And tell everyone you didn’t
make it in the hospital because you got sent
to the hospital.”
It had been so long since Mom and Dad had
called me “Daisy” in that loving tone.
But now, they were using the sweetest words
to say the cruelest things.
Summer saw my face and smiled.
“Daisy, don’t worry. The person you’re
marrying is old but sweet. He’ll treat you well,
better than living here with the gossin ”
I accepted their plans without a word. The
last flicker of hope for my family died.
Late at night, I escaped the hospital in a
wheelchair.
The city was lit up, but I had no home.
I didn’t know where to go.
I couldn’t stay at the hospital, and I wouldn’t
marry the guy.
Rain poured down as I sat in the wheelchair,
tears mixing with the rain.
I was waiting for a car to come along.
Then a black umbrella appeared over my
head.
L
I couldn’t see the person’s face.
I was pulled into a warm embrace. A soft
voice whispered in my ear.
“I’m sorry. I’m late.”
Then I blacked out.
I woke up a week later.
The black and white decor made it clear I was
in a man’s room.
I bolted upright.
The door opened.
I didn’t look up.
He carefully lifted me onto the bed.
“You’re awake? Hungry?”
I was so nervous to receive such nice
treatment.
I bit my lip, afraid he’d change in a second.
“Yes?”
I pulled my hand away from him and shook
my head. Then my stomach growled.
“I’m sorry. It wasn’t intentional. I…”
I thought he’d get mad, but he sighed and
left.
He came back with a bowl
He came back with a bowl of veggie porridge.
く
“You can only eat simple stuff. We’ll fix your
stomach, and then we’ll work on other
treatments.”
A spoon appeared in front of me.
He was wearing glasses and smiling gently.
“Don’t be scared. I won’t hurt you. You want
me to eat first?”
When I didn’t open my mouth, he put the bowl
down and left.
I devoured it.
He didn’t come back, but the servants took
care of my meals and the doctor checked my
wounds every day.
After two weeks, I finally relaxed. His name
was Sean Holbrook.
He was the son of the Holbrooks, lived
abroad, and came back recently.
I was staying at the Holbrook’s villa.
But the Millers had no dealings with the
Holbrooks. Why did he save me?
I stayed here, but there were no restrictions.
I found out the Millers put out my death
certificate and claimed I’d died.
Good.
く
But at least I was someone.
A month later, the rotten flesh was gone, and
new flesh was growing.
I was in the garden when Sean stood in front
of me.
