Chapter 1

When I was being sexually assaulted by a strange man, my brother Sebastian's lavish wedding was taking place downstairs.

I called him for help.

His cold, disgusted voice came through.

"Playing the victim again? Dora, why don't you just die!"

I hung up and leaped from the top floor.

I landed on the statue at his wedding venue.

The statue's wings pierced through my body.

I used my last bit of strength.

Smiling at Sebastian, I said.

"Don't worry... I'm going to die now."

Through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the sanatorium.

I saw Sebastian with his head down, on the phone.

Light and shadow fell unevenly on his familiar yet strange profile.

My nose couldn't help but sting.

After our parents died, Sebastian and I had relied on each other growing up.

He was my strongest support.

But I hadn't seen him in three years.

The attending physician grabbed me, his clammy breath spraying on my neck.

"Dora, about the treatment process—you need to learn to keep your mouth shut, understand?"

A chill ran down my spine. I nodded obediently.

"I understand."

The doctor led me by the hand into the reception room.

Sebastian's gaze slid over our clasped hands.

His expression showed not a ripple of emotion.

He wasn't like this before.

Our parents favored sons over daughters, and I grew up under Sebastian's protection.

When I was little and craved sweets, he'd secretly use his allowance to buy me candy.

When I was naughty, he would shield me in his arms.

Letting our mother beat him instead.

After our parents died, Sebastian protected me even more carefully.

If any man so much as looked at me, his blood pressure would spike.

He'd scold them angrily.

But now, I was no longer the sister he cherished and protected.

Because I had killed the woman he loved most—Melody.

Three years ago.

On the eve of Sebastian's wedding.

Melody and her sister Natalie were in a car accident.

Melody died on the spot.

And Natalie told Sebastian.

"Dora called and told us to drive in the rain to buy cupcakes. That's why we got into the accident."

That day, Sebastian ignored my protests.

He slapped me twice.

"Dora, how could you be so greedy? Don't you know Melody was pregnant! You killed the two people I loved most!"

That day, his eyes were bloodshot.

He wanted nothing more than to sew shut my mouth—so gluttonous and full of lies.

Until Natalie's understanding father stopped Sebastian.

"Natural disasters are worse than human error. Don't blame Dora."

Only then did Sebastian reluctantly let me go.

After Melody's funeral, Sebastian went abroad to manage the business she left behind.

To let Sebastian focus on work, Natalie's parents took me in.

And my nightmare began.