Chapter 4

The doctor said I was overcome with anger and couldn't afford to get angry again.

I recuperated at home for several days. Aside from the housekeeper, Seraphina and the Hayes family were all at the hospital, tending to Caleb. No one remembered that I was also sick.

On New Year's Eve, I was at home alone, boiling instant dumplings.

All the staff had gone home to their families for the holidays. Luckily, Mrs. Davies, seeing how thin I had become, had made and frozen some dumplings for me.

I quietly watched the steaming pot, the only source of warmth in the entire house.

Days earlier, the building management had suddenly announced a halt to heating. I had contacted them several times, but they said there was nothing they could do.

I knew, deep down, this was probably Caleb’s doing.

It was below zero outside, and the indoor temperature was nearly the same.

I was wearing a thick down jacket, dishing out the dumplings, when Caleb's FaceTime call suddenly came through.

“Brother, we’re celebrating New Year’s on the island. How are you doing at home by yourself?”

On the screen, he looked rosy-cheeked, in a well-fitting, warm cashmere sweater. Behind him, Mrs. and David Hayes were chatting over tea, and outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, Seraphina was setting off fireworks with Daisy.

The cozy, joyful atmosphere made my eyes burn with envy.

But none of that warmth had anything to do with me.

My entire family had abandoned me again, leaving me alone at home while they rang in the New Year on a warm island.

However, I no longer felt sad. I calmly looked at the camera. “I’m doing great. Disappointed?”

Caleb smirked.

“Brother, I heard you coughed up blood that day. Too bad Mom and Dad were only concerned about me and completely forgot about you. I was worried you might get scammed by some unethical doctor, so I froze your bank cards. If you’re really feeling unwell, just drink some hot water, hehe.”

Ever since he took over the company, he didn't even bother to pretend anymore.

A figure flashed across the screen, and Seraphina’s voice came through.

“Caleb, who are you talking to?”

“No one, just wishing a friend happy New Year.”

With that, Caleb immediately hung up the FaceTime call.

But I still heard Seraphina’s last caring words: “You have a sensitive stomach, don’t drink too much. Be careful not to get a stomach ache.”

They looked like a truly devoted couple, and it twisted something inside me.

I no longer cared who Seraphina loved, but what I couldn't accept was that they were so openly affectionate in front of Mrs. and David Hayes, and the two elders acted as if they didn't see it, or perhaps had grown accustomed to it?

A sharp pain pierced through my limbs, and my eyes stung with a burning ache.

Just then, the doorbell rang.

Madam Kingston’s Mr. Peterson and his staff delivered a pile of New Year’s gifts, all chosen specifically by Madam Kingston to make up for all the New Year’s gifts I’d missed from birth to thirty.

“Mr. Hayes, Happy New Year. Madam Kingston wishes you all the best and peace and joy.”

My family's indifference and betrayal, I had endured it again and again. But seeing these thoughtfully prepared gifts, tears suddenly welled up.

In my thirty years of life, my biological parents had used me as a tool, while Madam Kingston, who was not blood-related, cared for me like a mother.

Deeply moved, I wiped away my tears and said with solemn sincerity, “In ten days, I will arrive at the Kingston family residence.”

By then, I would truly be reborn.

I only managed to unwrap half of Madam Kingston’s gifts before falling into a deep sleep on the sofa.

In the middle of the night, there was a noise upstairs in the bedroom.

I'm a light sleeper, and my eyes shot open. I saw a strange figure lingering in the darkness.

I suddenly remembered a past life incident when a thief broke into our house. The strange woman entered my bedroom, and when Seraphina saw her, she thought I was cheating on her, and a deep rift formed between us.

Soon after, scandalous rumors about me spread like wildfire through our social circle.

The entire Hayes family, disgusted by me bringing shame to them, coupled with Caleb’s arson incident, tacitly agreed for me to take the fall.

This time, I reacted quickly. I immediately hid in the downstairs bathroom, first calling Madam Kingston’s household and asking Mr. Peterson and his people to return to rescue me.

Just as the strange woman from my past life found me and was about to smash the window to break in, Mr. Peterson and his men apprehended her.

After giving my statement at the police station, I returned home at dawn.

The moment I walked in, I saw Caleb and the others sitting neatly in the living room, waiting for me.

Madam Kingston’s New Year’s gifts were also neatly stacked in the corner.

Caleb picked up a limited-edition luxury watch, his eyes full of surprise. “Brother, we weren’t home for New Year's, who sent you such an expensive gift?”

“This watch, if I’m not mistaken, is a limited edition that collectors dream of, right?”

“Brother, you didn’t happen to be behind Seraphina’s back…”

Caleb trailed off, glancing meaningfully at Seraphina.

Seraphina’s elegant face held a hint of anger. She looked up at me. “I… I really underestimated you.”

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