Chapter 3

I laughed and shook my head. As someone who had already died once, what was there to fear?

In my past life, Jade not only stole my position as the principal dancer, my husband, and my father, but also caused me to lose my only child.

The wedding with Jaxon was very simple. Just the two families having a casual dinner together. I didn't even wear a wedding dress.

That day, Mom took me out shopping. When we returned home, I overheard Jade and Jaxon talking on the bed in my new room.

"Jaxon, honey, do you like my sister or me?"

"Of course I like you. If it weren't for the fact that she saved me once and I felt sorry for her, I'll tell you, every time I see her amputated limbs I have nightmares. I don't want to marry her at all. The one I want to marry most is you, you little temptress."

As the two rolled around, unspeakable sounds came from the bed.

In that moment, the world spun. My hands gripping the wheelchair trembled uncontrollably, my nails digging deep into my palms. Tears slid down my cheeks.

Didn't Jaxon know why I was disabled?

I forcefully pushed open the bedroom door. The two panicked and covered themselves with the blanket.

I took out my phone from my pocket, ready to take a photo. Jade's expression turned frantic.

She leapt off the bed to grab it, but my legs were useless and I couldn't compete. She violently shoved the wheelchair over, and I fell to the floor.

Jade tapped my face with the phone.

"Sis, you're a cripple now. How can you possibly fight me?"

I clutched my suddenly aching stomach, remembering my period was two weeks late. A terrible feeling crept over me.

"Oh my, bro-in-law, could big sis be pregnant? She's bleeding!"

"What?!"

Jaxon jumped out of bed, about to call for help.

Jade grabbed Jaxon, stopping him from making the call.

"Jaxon honey, let's get out of here quick. We'll pretend we didn't see anything, or she might report us."

The two hastily got dressed and took my phone.

I used all my strength to crawl out of the room, a trail of blood in my wake. Finally, a neighbor leaving their apartment found me and called for an ambulance.

I hemorrhaged on the operating table and didn't make it. In my final moments, I felt utterly disillusioned with Jaxon. An endless hatred welled up inside me. If I had another chance, I'd make those two suffer a fate worse than death.

Mom moved quickly, gathering all the evidence of Dad's extramarital affair and the child he fathered with his mistress in just a few days. She then hired a renowned lawyer and filed a lawsuit in court.

Before Dad could even process what was happening, the matter was already concluded.

The company had always belonged to my grandparents on my mother's side, and Mom had always been the legal representative. Dad was merely an employee there.

The court ruled swiftly.

Dad was left with nothing, while the other woman, Lavender, was ordered to return all the money and gifts Dad had given her over the years, totaling a million dollars.

Lavender and Jade had grown accustomed to a lavish lifestyle, but now their house was seized to pay off debts. With no source of income, I wondered how they would survive.

Jaxon spent a whole month in the hospital before being discharged. After that, he became completely dependent on me, and I indulged his every whim.

After all, the higher you lift someone, the harder they fall.

I wanted him to experience the bitter taste of betrayal from someone he trusted most.

The Sterling Estate and Grey Manor were close to each other. When I wasn't at the dance troupe, I spent my time visiting Jaxon at Sterling Estate.

After the tragedy of the car accident and amputation, his temperament became increasingly volatile. The slightest misstep from the household staff would trigger a barrage of verbal abuse, leaving everyone at Sterling Estate on edge.

Even Mr. and Mrs. Sterling couldn't bear his transformation, rarely returning home these days.

I've heard they're planning for a second child. Once the new baby arrives, Jaxon will likely be cast aside completely. After all, how could a disabled person inherit the company? They certainly don't want their thriving business ruined.

As I pushed open the door to Sterling Estate that day, I witnessed a vase shattering against the wall, followed by Jaxon's enraged voice.

"Are you all fucking blind? You can't even clean up water from the floor properly! What use are you? I ought to make you lick it clean! Get out, you useless pieces of shit! All of you, get the hell out of here!"

A young maid stood trembling by the wall, silently wiping tears from her eyes. Shards from the vase had cut her face, but she dared not even whimper.

I motioned for her to leave, and she nodded gratefully, wiping away her tears as she hurried out.

"Jaxon, it was just an accident. Why are you losing your temper? The doctor told you to keep your emotions in check."

Hearing my voice, the man's ferocious expression instantly vanished from his face. He turned his wheelchair around and flashed me an ingratiating smile.

"Prudence, you're finally here. I'm telling you, it's all because of those useless servants. They can't even mop up the water on the floor properly. I nearly slipped and fell. I'll have to teach them a lesson when I get the chance."

"Didn't the doctor say you should try to stay calm? Don't fuss over them."

"Alright, I understand. Whatever Prudence says goes. I'll listen to you."

I stood behind him, pushing his wheelchair to the garden to soak up some sun. Crouching in front of him, I pretended to be heartbroken as I broke the news about my parents' divorce.

"Jaxon, my dad had an affair. He even has a love child."

A flicker of unease crossed Jaxon's eyes as he pulled me into his arms and patted my back.

"Prudence, it's okay. You still have me. I'll take care of you."

"I'm kind of curious about that love child. Could you check her out for me? I've set up a meeting with her tomorrow. I want Dad to come back. I don't want my family to fall apart."

Jaxon hesitated before reluctantly agreeing.