Cold Betrayal Took Her, Warm Revenge Set Her Free

Daisy turned her head, her gaze locking with Heather’s, which radiated pure malice. "You really are impossible to get rid of. Even a fire like that couldn’t finish you off."

Heather chuckled, a smug grin spreading across her face. She produced a mirror, holding it up with a gleam in her eyes. "But once you see what you look like now, you might just wish you hadn’t survived."

Daisy’s heart sank as her eyes met the reflection.

Her skin had been scorched from the left side of her forehead to the corner of her eye, a cruel reminder of the flames.

Daisy’s pupils contracted involuntarily.

The satisfaction in Heather’s eyes was palpable, almost overflowing.

To a woman, having her face marred like this was more tormenting than death itself.

Heather leaned in closer to Daisy, a hint of feigned sympathy in her eyes. "Do you think Desmond will still want you after this?"

But the breakdown she had anticipated never came. Instead, Daisy stayed eerily calm. Heather’s eyes narrowed and with an immediate motion, she shoved a scalpel into Daisy’s hand, slashing her own face in one clean stroke.

Before Daisy could process what was happening, Heather let out a piercing scream. "Ah! Sister, don’t!"

In that instant, Desmond appeared at the door.

Heather wasted no time, rushing into his arms with dramatic sobs. "Desmond!"

Desmond froze, his brow furrowing. "What happened?"

Heather trembled in his arms, her voice shaky. "She... she tried to destroy my face."

Seeing the blood running down Heather’s face, Desmond’s eyes hardened in anger.

His gaze snapped toward Daisy, sharp and accusing.

Their gazes locked and Daisy, her expression unreadable, reached for the scalpel that had fallen beside the bed. Without a second’s hesitation, she flung it toward Heather.

The scalpel flew through the air like an arrow aimed directly at Heather. Her eyes widened in terror and she screamed.

Desmond hadn’t expected Daisy to attack, especially not in front of him. Panicking, he raised his arm instinctively, the blade slicing a deep gash into his forearm.

"Desmond!" Heather cried, grabbing his arm, her face painted with concern.

Desmond’s eyes were filled with sorrowful disappointment.

"You used to say we wronged you and favored Heather," he said, his voice cold as ice. "What do you have to say for yourself now?"

Daisy had no intention of justifying herself. Her brush with death had sharpened her view of the world. She looked at the two of them, her eyes icy with disdain.

"Didn’t she say I wanted to ruin her face?"

"Not following through would make me as false as her accusations."

"Daisy!" Desmond’s voice grew colder still, his eyes narrowing as if he had never seen her before.

The parents rushed in, their faces a mix of concern and disbelief. They could hardly recognize their daughter anymore.

Heather’s voice was weak, almost pleading. "Sister, I know you’re upset because Desmond saved me last night instead of you."

"I should’ve been the one disfigured. Forget about me taking the knife from you; if it makes you stop resenting him, I’ll do anything you ask."

At this, Desmond’s brow furrowed, his expression darkening. "You ran into the garage to save her. If anyone should’ve been saved first, it’s you. Besides, who I save is my choice and no one has the right to question that, especially not someone who resorts to violence!"

By the time he finished, his voice had turned as cold as ice, cutting through the tension like a blade.

Daisy remained unfazed, her composure never once slipping.

No number of justifications or excuses could change one simple truth and he didn’t care.

Once Daisy understood that, everything else felt utterly meaningless. When she heard Heather’s words, she couldn't help but smile, a quiet expression that seemed out of place. "I don’t blame you," she said softly, as if at peace. "In fact, I should thank you."

Thank you for showing me just how fragile hearts can be.

The room fell silent, everyone struck by her unexpected calm.

"I don’t think she’s learned anything," Samuel said with a sharp edge in his voice. "From now on, you’ll stay in this room and think about your actions. You won’t take a single step outside!"

With that, they all left, carefully escorting Heather away.