You Gave Me False Joy

“H-How long was I out?”

Adrian shut his laptop and handed me a glass of water.

“Since yesterday afternoon… It’s been sixteen hours.”

After a brief pause, he added, “Your family called. They said they had something to take care of and would visit later.”

I took the glass of water. My eyes stung, and I let out a bitter chuckle.

He was lying.

Ever since Dad had brought Sheila and Ivy into our home a year ago, I had become invisible to everyone in the family.

Once, I fainted from low blood sugar right in front of Dad, but he barely spared me a glance before leaving with Sheila and Ivy for shopping.

I knew no one cared enough to come to see me.

I forced out a smile and looked at Adrian. “Thank you.”

He offered a quiet hum. “It’s what a boyfriend is supposed to do.”

I froze.

Adrian met my gaze.

“You mentioned yesterday that you liked someone like me. So… let’s try dating.”

I waved my hands in panic. “I-I’m sorry! I really wasn’t thinking straight yesterday! Dylan and I are actually—”

“Does anyone know you’re together?” He cut me off. “Has anyone ever acknowledged your relationship?”

My words died in my throat. I could not get anything out.

“If a relationship isn’t known to anyone, I don’t see it as one. I need someone to marry just so that my family will stop pressuring me. Just think about it.”

With that, he picked up his laptop from the table and left the hospital room without sparing me another look.

I sat on the hospital bed. My mind was still in a daze.

Before I could process anything, the door suddenly swung open.

Dad and Sheila stormed in angrily. Dylan followed right behind them.

Dad slapped me hard across the face.

“What did I ever do to end up with a daughter like you?! You’re worse than an animal!”

Sheila threw herself forward. She cried and thumped her chest.

“Nina, if you really hate me and Ivy so much, just tell us honestly! Your dad and I can get a divorce. How could you do something so vicious and send someone to hurt her?!”

I touched my smarting cheek in confusion and disbelief.

“What are you talking about? I’ve been here since yesterday afternoon…”

Dylan rushed over and grabbed me by the throat.

“Stop faking it! I was just doing Ivy a favor. Did you really have to go this far? I can’t believe you sent thugs to assault her!”

I shook my head frantically. “It wasn’t me… I-I really didn’t…”

In a fit of rage, Dylan shoved me. I fell sideways, and the back of my head struck the corner of the bedside table.

Warm blood oozed down my forehead.

Dylan froze for a moment before instinctively reaching out toward me.

Just then, Ivy entered the ward in a hospital gown. Her face was very pale. She dropped to her knees in front of me.

“Nina, please, just stop this! I know you love Dylan. I’ll disappear from your lives right away and never return. Will that be enough?”

Dad quickly pulled her to her feet. He looked upset.

He turned and shot me a vicious glare.

“Ivy’s already lost her dad. How could you treat her like this? Are you even human? I wish I had never had a daughter like you!”

“But I lost my mom, too!”

I let out a bitter chuckle as I wiped away the blood and tears that ran down my face.

“And now… I guess I’ve lost my dad as well.”

Dad raised his hand again to strike me, but Dylan grabbed his arm.

“Sir, that’s enough! Don’t hit her.”

He then looked at me. His tone grew noticeably softer as he said, “How about this? Apologize to Ivy and swear you won’t hurt her again, and we’ll consider this settled.”

Sheila quickly chimed in, “Dylan’s single. What’s so wrong if Ivy likes him? It’s not like she’s stealing your boyfriend. Don’t be so vicious!”