Sunflowers Bloom Early in Spring

"Is that true? And Justin still married her? How generous."

Every word felt like a knife stabbing into my heart.

I turned to look at Justin—his gaze never left Cecilia, filled with a tenderness I had never seen directed at me.

Cecilia smiled sweetly. "Iris, what gift did you bring me?"

Suppressing my nausea, I took out an exquisite jade bracelet.

But the moment I handed it to her, she suddenly let out a sharp cry. The bracelet shattered on the floor, and she stumbled backward.

"Cecilia!" Justin rushed forward and shoved me aside violently.

My knees hit the ground hard, pain shooting through me.

"Miss Hayes…" Cecilia’s voice trembled with tears. "I know you hate me because of what happened back then. But your father really did cause so many deaths… I—I couldn’t lie for you in good conscience…"

She suddenly covered her mouth, as if she had let slip a secret. "Or… are you still upset about Orlando? But his family tradition demands he marry a pure woman… Miss Hayes, you’ve… you’ve already lost several children…"

Gasps erupted around us.

I felt countless phone cameras pointed at me, yet no one reached out to help me up.

When I lifted my head, I saw Justin carefully supporting Cecilia, his gaze so tender it burned my eyes.

This man, who had destroyed my family, was now letting her humiliate me in public.

"Apologize." Justin’s voice was icy as he glared down at me. "Apologize to Cecilia. Now."

Cecilia tugged at his sleeve. "Justin, don’t be like this…"

My tears hit the floor.

Gritting my teeth against the pain, my voice shook. "I’m sorry, Cecilia, for ruining your mood."

Justin frowned slightly at my pale face.

I turned to leave, but a sudden commotion made me pause. Orlando was cradling Cecilia in panic—blood trickled from the corner of her lips.

"Stop!" Justin grabbed my wrist and yanked me back roughly.

Among the guests were several doctors. One of them picked up a shard of the jade bracelet and gasped.

"There’s poison on this!"

Justin seized my hair and slapped me across the face. My vision went black, ears ringing.

"Why… would you poison me?" Cecilia’s weak voice came from Orlando’s arms.

At the hospital, a team of fifty doctors rushed to save her.

I was forced to kneel by bodyguards when Orlando kicked me in the chest. "If anything happens to my wife, I’ll make you pay with your life!"

"Do whatever you want with her." Justin’s voice was merciless.

A nurse ran in frantically. "The patient is hemorrhaging! She needs an emergency blood transfusion—RH negative!"

Before I could react, Justin was already dragging me toward the blood collection room.

The needle pierced my vein, and I flinched from the pain.

"Not enough. Keep drawing." Justin’s voice was cold as he watched the blood bag.

The nurse hesitated, checking the monitor. "Justin, your wife’s blood pressure is dropping. Any more could be dangerous—"

"I said keep going!" He slammed his hand on the table. "This is a Porter hospital! That’s an order!"

After 400cc of blood was taken, my legs gave out. My vision blurred, cold sweat soaking through my clothes.

Justin finally signaled the nurse to stop—but didn’t spare me a single glance before rushing to Cecilia’s room.

Leaning against the wall outside, I watched Justin and Orlando standing on either side of Cecilia’s bed.

One carefully blew on a bowl of porridge to cool it, the other handed her water with gentle words.

Then—warm liquid trickled down my thighs.