You Gave Me False Joy

This was the first time I had stood so close to Adrian. I looked at Dylan, silently pleading for help.

But Dylan was focused on peeling crawfish and feeding them to Ivy. He looked tenderly at her.

A rush of anger surged through me.

I clenched my fists and smiled at Adrian.

“How could I hate you? I always liked someone like you. You’re steady and dependable.”

The moment I finished speaking, I heard a glass shatter. It was Dylan.

He shot up from his seat with his eyes blazing in fury.

“Mom, you can all carry on. We’ll step out for a bit.”

With that, he grabbed me with one hand and Ivy with the other before storming out.

Once we were outside, Dylan threw me into the back seat of his sports car.

Before I could react, he floored the accelerator, and the car shot forward.

The speed slammed me back against the seat.

I had a heart condition, so I panicked. My voice shook as I said, “Dylan, slow down!”

He struck the steering wheel and roared without looking back, “You think I’m not as steady and dependable as my brother? Fine! I’ll show you how unstable I am!”

With that, he slammed the accelerator even harder, and the car shot down the expressway like an arrow released from a bow.

I was tossed back and forth inside the car. My head repeatedly struck the door and the seat until I was close to passing out from pain.

I had no idea how long it lasted before the car suddenly stopped.

The moment the door opened, I collapsed onto the ground and vomited uncontrollably. I was in a sorry state.

Ivy walked over to me.

“Are you okay, Nina? I’m sorry! It’s all my fault. I plan to intern at the Jenkin Group after my graduation. So, Dylan was helping me make a good impression on Mrs. Jenkin today. It was just a favor. Didn’t he tell you?”

She turned with tearful eyes toward Dylan. She looked hurt.

“Dylan, why didn’t you tell Nina? Are you trying to drive a wedge between us? How are we supposed to get along now?”

Dylan pulled her close and soothed her in a gentle voice.

“It’s okay… Don’t cry. I didn’t expect her to be so out of sync with me.”

Ivy pushed him away with a pouty face before crouching down again. She pretended to help me up.

The next second, she fell right on top of me.

Before I could even cry out in pain, she screamed, “Ow!!! Nina, why did you pull me so suddenly? I was only trying to help you!”

Dylan walked over without hesitation and kicked me.

“Nina Surridge, are you out of your mind?!”

I lay on the ground. I gasped for air and trembled in pain. I could not form a single word in my defense.

All I could do was stare at them in desperation and mouth the words with all my strength. “My heart… I don’t feel well… Please… Help me…”

Ivy nestled into Dylan’s chest and sobbed quietly.

“Dylan hates liars, Nina. Faking a condition to make him feel guilty won’t work.”

Her words only fueled Dylan’s rage.

“Nina, you, of all people, have now learned to be so fake and manipulative!

“Stay here and think about what you did! When you’re done, book a hotel room nearby and wait for me. Tonight, I’ll teach you how to behave properly.”

With that, he held Ivy in his arms, got into the car, and sped off without looking back.

The pain in my chest worsened until my vision darkened.

Then, everything went black.

When I woke up, I was in a hospital bed.

I turned to find Adrian sitting by the bed. He was working away on his laptop.

Without even looking up, he said flatly, “You’re awake.”

I quickly looked away. I felt flustered.