Chapter 4

Seeing Mom and Dad's attention completely fixated on me, Caleb couldn't help but let out a cold, mocking laugh.

"I bet she's just putting on an act for the doctor, trying to be pathetic and gain sympathy, all to get Chloe kicked out of this family!"

"She's disgusting, so manipulative and calculating!"

Chloe, however, stepped forward and linked her arm through Mom and Dad's, her voice soft and sweet.

"Mom, Dad, Caleb's just saying that in the heat of the moment. Please don't take it to heart."

"I was wrong before, I promise, I'll get along with Aria from now on."

"There's a social event in a couple of days. We'll definitely take Aria with us, so she can meet some new friends, and it'll also... help us sisters bond!"

Mom and Dad exchanged glances, thinking it might help me integrate into their circle sooner. After a moment of consideration, they agreed.

Soon, the evening of the gala arrived.

I limped into the grand hall, only to be bumped by a server coming the other way. I fell to the ground, wine spilling all over me.

Chloe let out a little giggle, then quickly changed her expression.

"Oh my gosh... Quick, I'll take you to the lounge to clean up!"

She grabbed my wet arm without asking, half-dragging, half-pulling me away from the crowd's view.

Halfway there, she leaned in close to my ear, her voice dripping with malice.

"Don't think that just because you make yourself look pathetic, acting crazy and dumb, you'll get Mom, Dad, and Caleb's love! Dream on!"

"They still love me! Always will!"

A cruel smile twisted her lips.

"Wanna make a bet? If I prove it, you'll get out of the Hayes family and never show your face again!"

As soon as she finished speaking, a huge push slammed into my back!

"Splash!" The icy pool water instantly swallowed me whole.

Then came another, louder splash, and a piercing scream.

"Caleb! Help me!!! I'm terrified of water!!!"

Caleb rushed over at the sound. Without thinking, he plunged into the water, swimming frantically towards Chloe, who was thrashing around.

The moment I hit the water, my body's memory kicked in before my conscious mind, making me choose the "safest" way to cope.

Stay still, cause no trouble, just wait for it to be over.

I let my body be enveloped by the pool water, slowly sinking to the bottom, bubbles escaping from my mouth and nose.

Caleb didn't pull Chloe to the edge of the pool until he heard the gasps and warnings from the surrounding guests.

"There's another one in the water! The one who isn't moving!"

He whirled around, his face instantly pale. He frantically jumped back into the water, clumsily pulling me out.

I lay curled on the freezing floor, spitting out mouthfuls of pool water.

Caleb ignored my trembling, grabbing my wrist with a force that felt like it would crush my bones.

"Apologize to Chloe! Look how terrified you've made her!"

I clutched my eyes tightly, my body shaking even more violently.

Seeing this, he let out a cold laugh, his tone even more cutting. "Now you're scared? Now you want to cry? I'm telling you, tears won't help!"

"Don't even try to say you didn't push Chloe on purpose!"

"Chloe is terrified of water. If you hadn't pushed her, how could she have..."

As he spoke, he forcefully pushed my head towards the ground. My head hit the floor with a heavy thud.

My hand, which had been clamped over my eyes, slipped away, revealing my empty left eye socket.

When I looked up, the entire room fell silent.

In the profound stillness, I cautiously looked up, forced a small smile, and whispered softly, "My... my eye fell out... I was afraid of scaring everyone..."

All of Caleb's accusations and anger froze on his face.

"You..." He opened his mouth, but only one word escaped.

Just then, a sharp crack echoed overhead.

The rope holding the crystal chandelier snapped, sending it plummeting straight down!

In a flash, I saw the image of my friend, crushed by a collapsing beam while trying to save me.

My body moved faster than my brain.

With a strength I didn't know I had, I slammed into Caleb, who was still stunned.

Fragments of glass grazed my cheek, leaving a trail of blood.

Caleb stumbled a few steps and fell to the ground. He turned back, his pupils constricted in shock.

His face registered disbelief, then, after a long moment, frustration and anger.

"Aria, are you insane?! I'm supposed to protect you! I don't need you to save me!"

Though his words were harsh and cutting, he scrambled to his feet with incredible speed.

As he neared me, his hand hesitated, but ultimately, he swept me up into his arms, shouting at the surrounding crowd.

"What are you standing around for?! Get in the pool and get her... get my sister's eye out!"

He carried me into the lounge, snatched a blanket, and wrapped me up tightly.

Then he placed the freshly cleaned prosthetic eye next to me.

"The, uh, the doctor's too slow, I'll... I'll go find him myself!"

With that, he bolted, his footsteps frantic.

Darkness and the cramped space made me feel drowsy.

After I don't know how long, a pungent, choking smell filled the air.

Fire.