Chapter 3

His father's leg hadn't recovered yet, and I still had a daughter to raise. Please, have mercy! Mom is begging you!"

Mother wept bitterly, no longer caring about dignity or face, prostrating herself at Krista's feet and desperately kowtowing.

Never mind my father, even I felt my heart being torn apart as I watched from the side, hating that I couldn't do anything to help, not even pull her up!

I thought Mother's humble attitude would at least move Krista a little.

But it didn't. Her smile became even more smug and arrogant than before:

"I should really let Edgar see how miserable you all look now, so he knows the price of deceiving me!"

"However... it's not impossible for me to let you off the hook."

"Have Edgar come before me personally to kowtow and admit his guilt, acknowledge his mistakes from back then, and agree to donate his heart to Alec. Everything else is non-negotiable!"

Krista's resolute words made Mother's face turn ashen in an instant. Her lips pale, tears flowing uncontrollably.

She struggled to reveal the truth about what happened years ago, but Krista didn't give her the chance. That trembling voice was drowned out by the heavy slam of the door.

She didn't hear those words: Edgar was already dead, dead for six years.After leaving the hospital room, Krista didn't immediately depart. Instead, she took the elevator upstairs.

The luxurious and tranquil VIP hospital room was a service she had specially arranged for Alec.

"Alec? How are you doing? Are you feeling any better today?"

Before the door was fully closed, Krista eagerly rushed to Alec's side to check on him.

Watching their tightly clasped hands, I suddenly felt a sense of déjà vu.

It seemed like many years ago, someone had held my hand in the same way.

We had promised each other eternal love and vowed never to betray one another.

But now, that person was holding someone else's hand, asking how they were doing.

"I'm alright... Edgar, he hasn't been found yet, has he?"

"Krista, maybe... we should let it go... Perhaps I was never meant to exist in this world. Being with you for so many years, I can die without regrets..."

"Don't say such foolish things!"

Krista noticed the despondency in Alec's voice and her eyes immediately welled up with tears. She wouldn't let him continue:

"Edgar has already cost us so many years. I've finally found you, and I absolutely won't allow anything unexpected to happen!"

"Don't worry, I'll leave no stone unturned to dig him out."He shook his head adamantly. "His parents aren't enough - he's still got his sister. I refuse to believe he could be so heartless as to not show his face even once!"

Alec's eyes darted away guiltily as he stammered, trying to form a response, but was cowed into silence by her forceful demeanor.

Seeing Krista's icy glare, I felt a chill run down my spine.

No one knew that right now, I wanted nothing more than to appear before her eyes. I would have given everything I had just to ensure my family's safety!

But in my current state, I was nothing but a spirit - a useless, incorporeal soul.

I knew Krista always followed through on her words, but I never expected her opportunity would come so quickly.

Within half a day, she had deliberately spread the news of my parents' severe injuries and job losses to my sister.

Meadow rushed home that very night, heading straight to the hospital without even stopping to eat. As soon as she walked in, she was confronted with our parents' worried faces.