He Chose My Wicked Sister, I Chose My Rich Saviour

###Chapter 1

I shamelessly proposed to Victor Wellington on livestream for the 365th time.

Victor's impatient voice came through as the call connected, Stop messing around, okay? If I say yes now, someone's going to die.

Instantly, the comments section was flooded with ridicule.

Didn't you say you'd marry Victor after 365 days? Is this all?

"You're harassing Victor like a lapdog every day, do you really think youll get a happy ending? What a joke!"

But they just didn't know how much Victor had once loved me.

When I was three, he clung to the kindergarten fence, stubbornly pressing a small yellow flower into my palm.

When I was twelve and had my first period, he ignored every stare, lifted me into his arms, ran to the infirmary, then crossed three streets to buy sanitary napkins.

When I was eighteen, I was kidnapped. He rode his motorcycle straight into the kidnappers, took multiple stab wounds and still dragged me back from the edge of a cliff.

Before he lost consciousness, his bloodied fingers gently touched my tear-streaked brow. He smiled and said, "Don't cry, Bella, I'll protect you forever."

Once, he wanted to give me the whole world and his remaining years. He even secretly wrote my name as the beneficiary in his will and insurance policy.

I thought we would love each other like this until we grew old. But then my illegitimate sister, Brielle Whitmore, appeared, and everything changed completely.

In the live stream, everyone was still laughing at my persistence, my relentless pursuit and my complete lack of dignity.

They even placed bets, would I beg Victor to marry me for the 366th time tomorrow?

But there wouldn't be a next time.

365 timesthat was the deadline I gave him.

Ten days later, I would wear a white veil and become someone else's bride.

I hastily shut down the live stream, wiped away my tears and gripped a dagger in one hand, tearing off the amulet from my neck.

This amulet was something Victor got for me after I was kidnapped and I wore it for five whole years.

Uncle Sam, the old butler who had watched me grow up, was sweating profusely with anxiety.

Miss Bella, Mr. Wellington made this amulet with his own blood after nearly losing his leg from kneeling over a thousand steps at a temple in Frostwood. You've treasured it all this time, are you really going to give it up?

Suddenly, a gossip headline popped up on the computer screen.

Wellington Heir Books Luxury Mall, Showers His Girlfriend with Luxury Cars and Gifts

Sohe completely forgot that today was our anniversary.

I dont want it anymore. He doesnt want me. I dont want him either!

With a swift movement, the amulet shattered into pieces and my heart broke completely.

Victor and I were once the envy of everyone. I thought that after graduating from university, he would give me a grand wedding.

But in the end, it was all just a beautiful dream.

The dream is over, now its time to let go.

Uncle Sams eyes reddened and he choked out, "Alright. Then please compose yourself and prepare for your wedding with Mr. Dalton. Are you sure you don't need to tell Mr. Wellington?"

"No, Uncle. You can go and rest."

He sighed and left.

I threw the broken amulet into the trash can and finally sent a text message. [Let's break up.]

The next morning, I received his reply. [Don't act like a spoiled princess. You know I'm busy.]

Meanwhile, on Brielle's updated Instagram, she was having breakfast at the Hawthorne Sky Hotel, deliberately showing the blurred profile of the man beside her.

Seeing the man kiss away the sauce from her lips, my heart ached as if I were dying.

It all began from a rainy night more than a year ago, from a foolish act of mine.

That day, I encountered Brielle, who had been beaten black and blue by her mother. I couldn't bear it and took her back to my and Victor's home.

I was applying ointment to Brielle's wounds in the living room when the door opened.

Brielle looked up from the sofa and met the handsome man with deep-set eyes.

Victor.

That night, she sneaked into the study, climbed onto Victor's lap, but he coldly threw her out of the house.

Shortly after, Brielle rushed onto the stage at our graduation ceremony and confessed her love. Victor called her crazy and had his bodyguards kick her out.

She then bought his business trip itinerary, climbed into his hotel bed and was arrested by Victor after he called the police.

I firmly believed that my boyfriend loved me more than life itself. He also would absolutely despise a shameless illegitimate daughter like her mother.

But on the day I first proposed to him, Brielle also started a live stream, attempting suicide by cutting her wrists on camera.

"I'll never have peace if she dies. Bella, let's postpone the wedding."

After saying that, Victor turned and left.

I thought that was the only time. Little did I know, that would be the second time, the third time

Until the 361st time, Victor told me he was on a business trip, but as soon as I turned off the live stream, I saw him in the distance, looking at new villas with Brielle.

Brielle got tired and Victor scooped her up in his arms, the movement as practiced as if he'd rehearsed it a thousand times.

Brielle wrapped her arms around his neck and shyly kissed him on the cheek, saying, Whatever those people say, I dont want a villa anymore. As long as youre here, thats more than enough for me, Victor.

Brielle, youve never received the warmth of a family since you were little. I want to give you a home.

My blood ran cold and I collapsed to the ground, unable to get up for a long time.

It turned out that love had already shifted; a life lost was just a clumsy excuse, yet I foolishly believed it hundreds of times.

My knees were cut by the stones on the ground, bleeding profusely, but it couldnt compare to even a fraction of the heartache.

Watching him carry her to sign the purchase contract, giving her a home, I cried alone for a long time. My entire youthful joy, my purest and most passionate love, has become a joke.

Then the phone rang. I answered and a man's exceptionally magnetic voice came through.

"Still haven't given up on that Wellington guy? This is the last time I'll propose to you. If you miss this opportunity..."

"Then Ill marry you, Bastian!"

I bit my lip, my gaze gradually turning cold.

Victor, I am Bella Whitmore. Why would you think you still matter to me?

After a brief silence, Bastian said slowly, "Then pack your things. I'll come to marry you in half a month."

###Chapter 2

Snapping out of my reverie, I closed Brielle's Instagram and saw that Bastian had posted a bunch of wedding dress designs for me to choose.

They were all designs by my favorite top wedding dress designer, Dominic Steele.

An indescribable feeling of gratitude welled up inside me: Bastian had even taken the time to research all of this!

Just as I was about to choose a dress, I heard footsteps.

Victor walked in.

"Bella, are you just up? Have you had breakfast?"

Suddenly, he glanced at my phone, his face darkening. "Didn't I say we'd talk about the wedding later? Are you in such a hurry to kill Brielle?!"

Although he misunderstood, hearing those words still left me in disbelief.

I couldn't help but question him. "What did I just hear? I want to kill Brielle? Victor, is that how you see me?"

Gazing at my suppressed tears, Victor's heart tightened and he quickly pulled me into his arms. "That's not what I meant."

His familiar, warm breath enveloped me, and his forceful, fiery breath was close to my ear.

"The company's not busy today. I'll make it up to you, okay?"

Despite my inner resistance, I felt a familiar change in him and my hands, like a thief, gripped his strong back.

I looked up, waiting for the kiss, but the shrill ring of the telephone suddenly filled the room.

Brielle's tearful voice came through.

"Victor, I hurt my leg! It hurts so much!"

Victor's face changed drastically.

"I'm coming right now!"

He pushed me aside and rushed out. Meanwhile, I stumbled, my forehead slamming against the corner of a cabinet, a sharp pain shooting through my body.

From afar came Victor's explanation. "Brielle's in trouble. I'm going to check on her!"

I clutched my bleeding head, fell to the cold floor and laughed loudly.

She was his precious darling, he couldn't afford to let anything happen to her

Then what about me?

How could he just throw me away like that?

Laughing, tears streamed down my face.

Suddenly, Uncle Sam rushed upstairs. Seeing my face covered in blood and tears, he worriedly asked, "Miss, why are you bleeding so much?!"

Then he pulled out a handkerchief and anxiously wiped away my tears. "Miss, please don't think about everything that makes you sad. We need to go to the hospital now!"

I said softly, "Youre right. I don't need to think about it."

After the driver took me to the hospital, the doctor treated my wounds and told me to stay and rest for two days.

I went out of the ward to clear my head and unknowingly ended up by a pond in the backyard.

Sitting under a tree, I sent a message to my assistant, asking him to dispose of the 10% stake in Wellington Group that I held. It was a token of love that Victor had given me against my parents' wishes. Now, it was useless to keep it.

My assistant was my confidant and quickly replied, [Don't worry, I will 'handle' it properly and make that scumbag regret it!]

After putting away my phone, I suddenly heard a rustling sound behind me.

Turning around, I saw Brielle sitting in a wheelchair, her knees wrapped in bandages under her white dress. A pale, pretty face flashed a venomous, sinister smile at me.

How can you be so shameless, Bella? Youve been rejected over three hundred times, yet you still shamelessly cling to Victor? Tch, if I were you, Id be so ashamed. Id just kill myself!

I stood up, staring at her. Even if Im shameless, Im not as shameless as a mistress like her mother. You think Victor likes you? Hes just craving for something new.

I sneered and turned to leave, but Brielle grabbed my wrist, letting out a shrill scream.

Then lets see who will he choose!

What?

Before I could react, Brielle suddenly tumbled into the pool!

I instinctively tried to call for help, but as soon as I turned, a sharp pain shot through my shoulder.

It was Victor shoved me aside then jumped into the water without hesitation, only for rescuing Brielle.

Brielle coughed up several mouthfuls of water, sobbing and huddling in Victors arms, trembling all over.

Howhow could my sister called me a homewrecker? She said you'd only come back to her if I died, and no matter how much I begged, she still wanted to drown me!" She cried a lot.

A flicker of heartache crossed Victor's face, but his gaze turned sharp and cold as he looked at me.

"You pushed Brielle into the water?! Now you try to sneak away, pretending nothing happened?!"

I didn't expect Brielle's words to condemn me so easily, so I denied it. "I didn't push her. She did it herself! You dont believe me, Victor? Fine, lets check the security footage!"

Victor interrupted me.

"You even secretly followed me to the hospital, wasn't it all to harm Brielle?! If it wasnt intentional, what else could it be?

With that, he carefully placed Brielle in the wheelchair and walked straight towards me, his voice as cold as ice while saying, "Bella, since you've become so vicious, you'll have to pay the price!"

With that, he reached out and pushed me, who was afraid of water, into the water.

###Chapter 3

Icy pool water rushed into my nose and mouth. I struggled desperately, trying to call for help.

Bella, I will never marry a woman as cold as you!

Victor spoke each word firmly.

If he had turned around, he would have seen the wound on my head reopen, blood gushing out and staining the pool red.

But no matter how much I struggled in the water, my strength waned and I slowly sank into the deep water. The last thing I saw was him carrying Brielle away.

When I opened my eyes again, I met the Uncle Sams worried gaze.

I just went back to make you some soup, how could this have happened, Miss? The doctor said if we had been a minute later, you might not have woken up!

I huddled on the hospital bed, trembling uncontrollably. The grievances and fear choked my throat, but I swallowed them back down.

After my mother left, Uncle Sam was the only one who truly cared for me. I couldn't bear to worry him anymore.

I forced a smile and gently shook my head. "I'm fine, Uncle. Don't worry."

The infection from my wound, coupled with the shock of nearly drowning, had left me with a fever for several days.

Meanwhile, Victor hadn't called once, only sent some tonics.

The bodyguard conveyed the message expressionlessly. "Mr. Wellington said that as long as you obediently apologize to Miss Brielle, he will forgive you."

Forgive me, he said?

What a joke.

I angrily swept the tonics into the trash can, looked at the faint scar on my forehead in the mirror and gave a bitter smile.

After being discharged from the hospital alone, I took a taxi back to pack my bags, most importantly to retrieve my mother's keepsakea jade ring I had given to Victor as a token of our love.

But as soon as I stepped onto the stairs, I heard a woman's soft moans coming from the direction of the bedroom.

"Victor...it hurts..."

Then I heard a mans voice, suppressing his emotions and spoke with utmost gentleness, "Okay, I'll go slower."

"Victor, my biggest wish is to have your baby, so I'll truly have a home... is that okay?"

After a moment of silence, the man's hoarse reply came. "As your wish, Darling."

No need to be genius to know what they're doing!

My stomach churned and I almost vomited.

Back downstairs, I sat there blankly for a long time.

Then Brielle came down. She was wearing Victor's oversized shirt, her legs bare, her eyes languid.

"Ah, youre back, Bella? Don't misunderstand, my apartment's water's cut off, so I came to borrow the bathroom to take a shower."

Not long after, a tall figure appeared behind her.

Victor, for sure.

Seeing me, his voice was slightly tense. "Bella, when did you get back?"

I suppressed a wave of nausea. "Just now."

He immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

I continued, "I want my mother's jade ring back."

His eyes turned cold. "The ring?"

He grabbed my wrist, seeing me with a sharp gaze. "I thought you came back to apologize to Brielle, but you ask for the ring right away? You want back what you gave me?"

Why? Then what about you? Weve known each other for twenty years and youd rather believe her than me?

I saw you push Brielle down with my own eyes, how can I believe you?!

I was utterly disappointed, and with all my might, I shook off Victors hand. Think what you want. Give me back the ring and were breaking up. Victor, youre free now and I wont be a laughingstock anymore.

He was stunned, his anger intensifying. Just because Ive been neglecting you lately, youre threatening me with a breakup?

Im not threatening you, I looked at him calmly, Im informing you. My things, give them back.

Victor clenched his fists, gritting his teeth. Its lost!

What?! I stumbled. He knew perfectly well what that ring meant to me!

Beside me, Brielle suddenly interjected. Huh? You mean this one, Bella?

She took a leather cord with a jade ring attached from under her oversized shirt.

My eyes lit up and I was about to grab it when I saw Brielle stumble, the ring suddenly slipping from her hand and shattering on the marble floor.

My vision went black. Then

Slap!

I landed a hard slap on her face.

"Brielle, you did that on purpose, right? How could you be so shameless just like your mother?!"

But Brielle screamed and fell to the ground. Victor threw me onto the sofa and tenderly picked Brielle up.

Turning around, his eyes were filled with endless coldness.

"Lock her in the basement. Don't let her out without my permission!"

###Chapter 4

"It's just a broken ring, Bella."

The cold words made me realize how unfamiliar the person before me was.

The boy who once knelt beside me at my mother's grave.

The man I'd known for 20 yearshow could he utter such chilling words?

A metallic taste suddenly rose in my throat; I forced it down. The bodyguard grabbed my arm and threw me into the basement.

Bang!

The door slammed shut, darkness engulfed me and fear instantly spread, like countless monsters closing in on me.

I banged on the locked iron door, but no one outside listened.

Gradually, my consciousness began to blur and many images flashed before my eyes.

When I was little, I was trapped in a broken elevator, shaking with fear. Victor stayed with me, talking until rescue arrived. After that, he always left a light on for me.

At summer camp when I was ten, I fell ill and Victor carried me, feverish, for several blocks to the hospital.

Every birthday, I received a homemade cake from him, ugly yet sweet.

Every anniversary, my favorite Chanel limited-edition clothes, bags and jewelry are always quietly placed on my bedside table

Everything he had done for me weren't fake. He once poured his heart out to me.

But then, he fell in love with someone else.

The person who protected me with his life became the one who hurt me the most.

Victor, let me out, please!

Darkness swallowed everything. His cold face played out again and again and I was in excruciating pain.

Just a door away, Victor held a shard of a ring in his hand and ordered his men.

No matter the cost, fix it.

Uncle Sam pleaded, Please let Miss Bella out. She has claustrophobia!

Victor knew how terrified I was alone in the dark. But when he saw Brielle sobbing uncontrollably on the sofa, his face turned cold.

If I dont teach her a lesson, who knows how shell bully Brielle in the future! Im only doing this for her own good.

Uncle Sam tried to plead for me, but he had him locked in the bedroom.

I cried until my voice was hoarse, my fingers digging into the door until they bled, finally collapsing to the floor.

In a daze, I saw my mothers smiling face, her fingers gently stroking my tear-streaked cheek. So warm.

Mom, I miss you so much

I opened my eyes, my vision blurred by tears, to the dim light.

Victor sat on the edge of the bed, letting me clutch his hand tightly. He wiped away the tears from the corner of my eye with his other hand, sighing.

Why so stubborn? Is it really that hard to say sorry and give in just once?

I was in so much pain that my breathing was trembling. I threw his hand away, turned over and remained silent.

What exactly do you want from me? Do you know that there are rumors going around that the eldest daughter of the Whitmore Family is bullying her illegitimate sister? Im already trying my best to suppress these negative headlines.

Help me? Or help his mistress?

"You're just afraid people will dig deeper and uncover your secret affair, right?"

I couldn't help but laugh. "Victor, do you really think I'm stupid?"

Victor's heart skipped a beat.

He might think did I know about him and Brielle?

No, impossible.

Knowing my stubborn nature, if I knew, I would have already come to make a scene.

Composing himself, he assumed I was just jealous.

"You know Brielle has mental health issues. If I don't keep her calm then she dies, those people outside will blame you again."

"Besides, she donated bone marrow to me. I can't abandon her."

"I promise you, once Brielle recovers, we'll have the most luxurious wedding on an island."

My heart clenched. She donated bone marrow to him?

Then what about the donation surgery agreement I secretly hid and the wound that still aches from time to time?

###Chapter 5

Just as I was about to speak, Brielle's phone rang.

"Victor, I feel nauseous all the time. Could I be pregnant? Can you come keep me company?"

Victor immediately hung up, hurriedly explaining that his subordinate needed to speak with him.

I gave a cold reply.

He looked at my slender neck, its sickly fragility leaving his mouth dry.

His Adam's apple bobbed. The he said with low and hoarse voice, "Bella, if you don't want me to leave, I'll stay with you."

"No need."

I pulled the blanket over my head.

The air suddenly turned cold. Victor sat for two seconds.

"I've left bodyguards downstairs to take care of you."

Without looking back, he got up and left.

Take care of me? Or control me?!

I hugged my arms, feeling completely cold.

It was a long time before I forced myself to get up and pack my things.

By the time I finished packing, it was already late at night.

The door was suddenly pushed open.

Uncle Sam rushed in, grabbed my suitcase and shoved me out. "Miss, you should leave while the bodyguards change shifts."

"Then lets go together, Uncle."

In this city, I no longer cherish my father, who didn't even show up when my mother died, or Victor, who constantly betrayed me for others. Uncle Sam was my only remaining attachment.

"No, I'll stay and hold them off!"

But suddenly Victor appeared at the door, his face grim. "What the hell are you doing?"

Seeing the suitcase in my hand, his eyes grew even colder. "Bella, where do you think you're going?"

I replied indifferently, "Wherever I go, thats not your business, Victor. We have nothing to do with each other anymore."

"You think you can run away after hurting Brielle? Don't even think about it!"

His hand gripped my wrist like an iron clamp. I desperately tried to break free. "Are you crazy? When did I hurt her? Let me go!"

But he exuded a violent aura and wouldn't listen to anything I said. He dragged my wrist painfully into the garage.

"Mr. Wellington, Miss Whitmore didn't do anything!" Uncle Sam rushed forward to stop me, but unfortunately, he was kicked to the ground by the bodyguard. He could only watch helplessly as I was roughly shoved into the car and sped away.

As soon as we entered the hospital, a bodyguard ran over in a panic.

"It's terrible! Miss Brielle cut her wrists! She's bleeding a lot!"

Victor's body stiffened abruptly, and the next second, a vicious slap landed on my face.

"If anything happens to her, I'll make you pay with your life!"

Then, without looking back, he ran towards the ward.

The man who once valued me more than his own life now said he would take my life for another woman

Tears rolled down my face numbly.

Fine! I'll grant your wish, you two!

I was wheeled into Brielle's hospital room by bodyguards. There, Victor was holding Brielle, whose hands were covered in blood, his voice trembling.

"Save her! If you can't save her, I'll make your hospital pay!"

In a daze, it felt like I was back many years ago, when the boy, severely injured, kept crying out with red eyes, "Doctor, save Bella first!"

But he's grown up, changed and the person he deeply loved was no longer me.

The medical staff anxiously treated Brielle's wounds. She weakly opened her eyes, saw me and her expression was terrified.

"No, don't come any closer! I won't dare to fight you for Victor anymore. Please don't let them hurt me again!"

These words were like a bucket of ice water poured over my head, my blood froze.

###Chapter 6

Victor turned his head, his eyes as cold as a poisoned knife.

You actually let those beasts kidnap Brielle while I wasnt looking, almost ruining her reputation and nearly causing her to miscarry.

I didnt The bodyguard beside me interrupted my explanation. Those people have confessed that the person who ordered them was Miss Bella.

Victor walked up, roughly grabbed my hair and dragged me in front of Brielle.

Apologize to Brielle!

I didnt try to struggle anymore, just stared numbly at Victor. If I say I didnt do it, will you believe me?

How can you expect me to believe you?!

He kicked my knee, and with a cracking sound, I uncontrollably knelt down at Brielles feet in excruciating pain.

"Kneel and apologize to Brielle!"

I gritted my teeth. "Don't even think about making me apologize to your mistress!"

Brielle's wound had stopped bleeding. She struggled even more pitifully in Victor's arms. "Victor, I know it's all my fault. I shouldn't have fallen in love with you! Those dozen men brought by my sister today treated me so bad. Yeah, its all my own fault. I'll give you back to her, okay?"

Victor's expression became even more terrifying.

He grabbed my hair and slammed my head against the cold ground!

Bang!

One slam.

Bang!

Then another.

Until the ground was stained with my blood.

Fine, Victor, you gave me a life and now I repay you. From now on, we owe each other nothing.

Tears of blood streamed down, dripping into the dust.

I saw Brielle give me a triumphant smile.

"So, now you know that you were wrong?" Victor asked in my ear.

Now I understood something. When the heart is broken to the extreme, and when the pain reaches its end, it truly can't hurt anymore.

"Yeah, I was wrong."

I looked at the face I had once loved with all my heart, then I laughed.

I was wrong, Victor. Only wrong in my deep affection for you.

"Is that enough, Victor?" My voice was as soft as a wisp of smoke about to dissipate. "If it's not enough, then I'll give my life for your beloved darling."

Hearing my words, a flicker of panic crossed Victor's eyes. He suddenly pulled me into his arms, his fingers trembling as he wiped the blood from my face.

"Bella, I know you made a mistake because you were overly jealous. As long as you promise me you'll never hurt Brielle again, we can go back to how things were before, okay?"

No, Victor. It was too late.

I couldn't stop laughing, tears of blood streaming down my face again. "Let me go, Victor."

Victor held me even tighter.

"Don't talk nonsense. We're destined to be together in this life. No one can separate us."

Years ago, he swore the same thing at my mother's bedside.

"Auntie, even death cannot separate me and Bella. If I ever betray her, may I be struck by lightning and die a horrible death."

I thought his vow was as weighty as a mountain, but it felt as light as a feather.

He's long forgotten. And I should have forgotten too.

I slowly closed my heavy eyelids.

Bastian, why haven't you come yet to take me away from this hell?

###Chapter 7

The last thing I heard was Victor's panicked shouts.

When I woke up, I was lying in an empty hospital room. I got out of bed and limped out of the hospital.

Back home, I learned from the maid that Uncle Sam had been sent back to his hometown by Victor.

That meant now I did not have someone to rely on.

Not wanting to leave any trace of myself in this place, I took out my treasured photos, my diary filled with my thoughts, the gifts he gave me and threw them all into the fire.

The flames devoured twenty years of memories and also devoured my most ardent love.

Behind me, Brielle's curious voice suddenly came. "What are you burning?"

I ignored her and threw the last diary into the fire.

The flames reflected on Brielle's exquisite makeup, but her expression was exceptionally cold.

"What are you still being so arrogant about? You've seen it yourself, Victor hasn't loved you for a long time. For me, he'd make you wish you were dead, but it's still not enough, dear sister!"

Before she finished speaking, she kicked over the brazier.

I was startled. Burning paper and sparks flew everywhere and the sofa curtain next to me burst into flames.

"Are you crazy, Brielle?!" I tried to put out the flames, but she tripped me and I almost fell into the fire.

The fire spread rapidly and thick smoke filled the entire room.

Downstairs, the maid's terrified screams came.

"Call 119 quickly! Fire!"

My leg, injured by Victor's kick, throbbed with pain. I tried to escape, but Brielle kicked me down, blocking the doorway.

I struggled, "What are you doing? We'll be burned to death!"

She stomped hard on my wrist, her smile growing increasingly sinister. "Only you will die, my dear sister. After today, I'll be the Whitmore Family's only daughter, the Wellington Family's future daughter in-law!"

A series of hurried footsteps approached. Brielle instantly released her foot and fell to the ground.

The next second, the door was violently flung open.

"Bella!"

Victor rushed in, oblivious to the raging flames, his face filled with unprecedented panic.

But when he saw Brielle there, he stopped abruptly.

"Brielle, what are you doing here?!"

"Save me, Victor!"

"Victor, save me..."

Brielle and I simultaneously reached out to the man, our eyes filled with a desperate will to survive.

Brielle pointed at me, crying, "My sister's gone mad! She said it's all my fault, she wants to die with me and she set the room on fire!"

"I didn't..." I tried to deny it, but the thick smoke choked me, preventing me from speaking a complete sentence.

Victor's eyes instantly turned cold and sharp. His hesitant hand reached for Brielle, scooping her up in his arms.

"The firefighters will be here soon. You just wait."

My heart tightened. He carried Brielle and rushed out of the inferno without looking back.

I stood frozen, the last vestige of warmth in my chest extinguished.

In the end, he didn't choose me.

Watching the rapidly closing flames, a surge of resentment welled up inside me. I didn't want to die. I didn't want Brielle to succeed!

Just then, a deafening roar came from outside the window.

"Bella!"

I desperately rushed to the window. There, clinging to the ladder, was a man in a black trench coat.

It was Bastian!

He had arrived ahead of time!

"Jump over. Trust me, I'll catch you."

The flames surged towards me. Without hesitation, I climbed onto the windowsill and leaped. I fell into a warm, firm embrace.

Bastian smiled at me amidst the raging flames. "Bella, I've come to take you away."

"Thanks." I clung tightly to him as the helicopter carried us higher and higher, farther and farther away.

In the distance, a black sedan stopped. A man jumped out, gazing futilely at the raging fire, a sudden emptiness in his heart.

I calmly withdrew my gaze and whispered, "Just consider myself dead in this fire. From now on, Bella Whitmore will never exist again."

"Okay." Bastian held me tighter.

Victor, I will make you remember that day, the oath you swore at my mother's bedside.