Chapter 5 Chapter 5

The scalpel missed my heart by half an inch. Wilson worked desperately on the operating table for six straight hours, drenched in sweat, pulling me back from death's door.

When I opened my eyes again, everything was a blur of white. Water stains spread across the ceiling like a map, and I stared blankly at those irregular patches. My chest was wrapped in thick bandages, each breath bringing knife-like pain, but strangely, this physical agony felt almost comforting—at least it was real.

Wilson sat beside my bed, his chair pulled so close I could smell the mixture of disinfectant and blood on him. His eyes were red and swollen, bloodshot like he hadn't slept in days. He clutched a blood-stained surgical record, the edges crumpled from his grip.

"Why?" His voice was terribly hoarse, each word scraped raw. "Why would you hurt yourself like this?"

I turned toward the window where the sky hung gray and heavy, threatening rain. When my voice emerged, it sounded foreign even to me: "Did I have any other choice?"

As those words left my mouth, I realized I felt no pain whatsoever. Those emotions that once tore me apart now seemed buried under ice, beyond all feeling. I was like an observer, coldly watching the life of this girl called Lena.

Wilson's fingers trembled against the record's edge: "Lena, I know you've suffered greatly, but... suicide is never the answer." He paused, his voice pleading. "If you're truly affected by some curse, we can find a way..."

"Curse?" I turned to look at him, surprised by how calmly I could observe his panic. "You still believe that story." My voice was soft but clear. "If I were truly cursed, how could I commit suicide? Cursed people don't die, do they?"

Wilson froze, shock flickering in his eyes. He lowered his head, unable to meet my gaze, unconsciously rubbing the record's corners.

After a moment, he looked up with a determination I'd never seen before: "I'll investigate and find the truth. I swear."

I'd waited so long to hear those words, but strangely, I felt no joy. Like a withered heart that could hold no hope.

Too late. Everything was too late.

Urgent footsteps echoed from the corridor, along with hushed arguments. Marcus and Eliza rushed in—Eliza's hair disheveled, Marcus's shirt stained with mud, as if they'd traveled from far away.

Seeing me awake, relief flooded their faces. I knew that expression too well—it was how they looked when Serena was sick. But now, directed at me, their concern seemed forced.

Wilson stood, his expression complex as he shared his findings with them. They stared at me in shock.

"Thank God you're alright." Eliza hurried to my bedside, tears coming on cue. "How could you do something so foolish? We... we didn't want this, it was all for..."

"For the pack." Marcus finished from the foot of the bed, maintaining a safe distance. "About the curse—we were too hasty. But you must understand our difficult position."

I listened quietly, saying nothing.

"Look, you're fine now, aren't you?" Eliza reached for my hand, but I shifted slightly away. Her hand retreated awkwardly. "All that curse nonsense was lies. You're our daughter, and we'll protect you."

Protect me? Even she didn't believe those words as they left her mouth. I could see it in the way her eyes flickered.

Sure enough, she quickly lowered her voice, glancing around to ensure no outsiders were present: "But Serena is the child we've raised all these years, and she's Alpha's chosen mate now. She believed the curse claims too, which is why she was so... demanding with you. If you reveal the truth now, she'll be ruined, and our family's reputation with her." Her voice turned pleading. "You've always been so understanding, so considerate of the family—could you help us keep this secret?"

At those words, the last warmth in my heart died completely. They hadn't come because they were worried I'd nearly died, but because they feared I'd survive to tell the truth and destroy their "good daughter."

Just then, Lucas was pushed into the room. He stood timidly by the door, unable to meet my eyes. His small hands nervously gripped his shirt as he spoke softly: "Sister, since Serena said she saved me when I was little, I've always... liked her more. I listened to her and distanced myself from you before. I'm sorry."

"Liked her more"—those words pierced my heart like needles, but the pain quickly dissolved into complete numbness. Even my beloved little brother had never truly loved me. He only loved a fictional hero.

The doctor said prolonged torture and psychological trauma had damaged my emotional center. I might never express feelings like a normal person again.

Perhaps that was better. At least I'd never again suffer for these false family bonds.

I listened to them finish, the room's air growing increasingly oppressive. Rain began outside, droplets tapping against the glass. I suddenly remembered rainy childhood days when I'd hoped for my parents' embrace, but they were always busy caring for Serena.

"I have a question." My voice was calm as discussing weather. "If I insisted on revealing the truth about not being cursed, would you choose to support me or Serena?"

The room fell silent except for the rain and someone's nervous breathing.

Their silence was answer enough.

I nodded, strange peace filling me: "Now I understand. In your hearts, I was never a daughter—just an unnecessary burden. When you need to use me, I'm your daughter; when you don't, I'm a curse."

I turned toward the window as rain intensified, blurring the world beyond the glass: "Eighteen years. I've spent eighteen years trying to become what you wanted, but in the end, I can't even compare to a stranger."

"Lena..." Marcus started to speak, but I cut him off.

"Don't say my name." I kept watching the window. "From now on, we have no relationship. You have your good daughter, and I have my own path."

The room's atmosphere grew unbearably tense. I could feel their urge to defend themselves, yet they couldn't find proper justification.

Just then, a guard burst in without knocking: "Emergency! Miss Serena is missing! She left a note saying she's going to the rooftop to atone to the Alpha!"

Marcus and Eliza's faces went white with panic, as if the sky were falling. They forgot about me lying in the hospital bed, rushing out without even a goodbye, leaving only Lucas frozen in place.

Lucas looked between me and the door, then ultimately ran after them.

I stared at the empty room, feeling something indescribable. Not anger, not sadness, but an almost absurd calm.

This scene was like a perfect period, ending our eighteen-year "family bond." I'd just been pulled back from death's edge, yet they couldn't wait to rescue their other "daughter."