Reuniting at Journey’s End

"Forget it, I'll marry him!" The moment Margot Johanson said those words, she suddenly felt a sense of relief. She could hear her parents' voices full of smiles in her ears. "Gigi, we’re glad you’ve made up your mind. Your fiancé may be in a coma, but he’s quite handsome.  “Although he’s been out for years, what if he wakes up? After all, he’s the one set to inherit the family business..." Her parents, trying to persuade their own daughter to marry a comatose man, actually thought she was getting the better deal.  They seemed convinced that no one else in the world would be foolish enough to take on such a situation.  Margot smiled bitterly. "Don’t worry. Since I’ve made up my mind to marry, I won’t back out. I won’t let your precious Maisie take my place." Chapter 1 “What are you saying? You’re our real daughter! Of course, your father and I can’t bear to part with Maisie… “Besides, you know how it is—both Charles and Joey like Maisie. Letting her marry into that wouldn’t have been appropriate.” “Now that the Stewarts are already preparing for the wedding, You should pack your things. In half a month, someone from their household will take you to Northwatch.” Fred and Martha Johanson brushed her off with a few casual words before hanging up the phone. As the screen dimmed to black, Margot Johanson couldn’t help but glance at the framed photograph on her desk. In the photo, her parents, her older brother, Charles Johanson, and her childhood friend, Joey Griffin surrounded her as she stood in the center. She was dressed in a princess gown and crowned with a tiara. Their faces radiated affection for each other. At that time, a saying had circulated widely in their social circle: “Who wouldn’t want to be Margot Johanson?” Everyone envied her for having parents who treated her like a precious jewel, a brother who doted on her endlessly, and a childhood friend whose world revolved entirely around her. Margot, too, had believed she would spend her life wrapped in such happiness. But at eighteen, she discovered the weight of a promise she never made. It was an engagement arranged by her grandfather, Benedict Johanson before his passing. Margot was deeply in love with her childhood friend Joey and thought her family would dissolve the engagement once she came of age. But fate dealt a cruel twist—her fiancé, Dominic Stewart, became comatose after a car accident and to avoid being branded as unfaithful or opportunistic, the Johansons felt compelled to honor the arrangement. Yet, the thought of sending their beloved daughter to care for a comatose man was unbearable for them, and they agonized over the situation. In the end, the Johansons devised a solution—they adopted a foster daughter to take her place. And so, Maisie Johanson, an orphan who had grown up in a shelter and wandered the streets, entered the Johanson household. Feeling guilty for making Maisie stand in for Margot, the Johansons lavished her with affection. Every month, her parents gave her seven hundred thousand dollars as an allowance while Charles showered her with an endless stream of luxury goods. Even Joey bent over backward to fulfill Maisie’s every request. Margot herself gave up everything she had without complaint. When Maisie wanted her room, Margot gave it to her. When Maisie wanted her trophies, Margot handed them over. When Maisie developed kidney failure and needed a transplant, Margot offered her own. Margot never imagined that Maisie’s character would be so vile. After becoming part of the Johansons, Maisie repeatedly framed Margot for her misdeeds. Over just five years, she schemed to steal all the love and attention that had once been Margot’s. Charles fell for Maisie as did Joey. Even Fred and Martha began hinting that they couldn’t bear to see Maisie marry into another family. Instead, they subtly encouraged Margot to fulfill the marriage contract herself. Margot was not someone who would break a promise. At first, she resisted only because of her mutual love for Joey and her unwillingness to leave her parents and Charles behind. But now, since they all seemed to prefer Maisie’s company, she decided she might as well go through with the marriage. After all, the marriage contract had always been hers. Thinking of the date her parents had mentioned, Margot picked up a pen and circled the day on the calendar. It was two weeks away. Inside the red circle, she wrote the word “departure” before heading upstairs. Just as she reached the second floor, the sound of the front door opening echoed through the house. Standing at the doorway were two familiar figures. It was Charles and Joey. The two men hurried upstairs, and before Margot could react, they shoved her forcefully down the staircase. “Ahhh!” Margot tumbled down, her body crashing against the hard steps. Her forehead struck the floor with a sickening thud, splitting open and leaving her head drenched in blood. Agonizing pain radiated through her limbs and torso, cold sweat breaking out over her trembling body. The two men at the top of the stairs showed no intention of helping her. Instead, they pulled out a phone and began a video call with Maisie. “May!” Charles said with a smile. “Did you see us push Gigi down the stairs just now? Now you should believe how much more important you are to us. Stop throwing tantrums and come home, okay?” Margot’s eyes flew open at his words and despite the agony, her gaze filled with disbelief and shock. Had they hurt her so cruelly just to prove to the runaway Maisie that she mattered more? On the other end of the video, Maisie was already sobbing with emotion, tears streaming down her face. “I know you do, Charles. I won’t act out anymore. I’ll come home right away.” At her response, both men exhaled deeply, their relief palpable. After ending the call, the two men hurried downstairs. “Does it hurt, Gigi?” Charles asked, his tone almost perfunctory. “May said she felt insecure and needed us to prove it to her this way. We had no choice. She’s just a young girl who ran off in a fit of anger. We couldn’t let her wander outside alone. “You’ll have to bear this for now—we’ll make it up to you later.” Margot was in so much pain that she couldn’t speak. Seeing her pale and trembling, the two men began to panic. Just as they were about to take her to the hospital, Maisie’s delicate, tearful voice came through another phone call. “I’m such a fool, Joey. I can’t even find my way home,” she whimpered. At her words, both men tensed. Without hesitation, they ended the call and prepared to leave to fetch her. But as they reached the door, they glanced back at Margot, who was still sprawled on the floor, blood seeping from her wounds. “Gigi,” Joey began, his tone almost dismissive. “Maisie’s lost, and we’re worried she might run into trouble. You’ll have to get yourself to the hospital.” And just like that, they abandoned her without a second thought. Margot could only watch as their figures disappeared into the distance, leaving her behind in agonizing pain. Using the last ounce of her strength, she struggled to call for an ambulance. Blood continued to seep from the gash at the back of her head, soaking the fabric of her clothes until it turned crimson. Before she lost consciousness, only one thought remained in her mind: Later? There won’t be a later. In two weeks, she would leave this city. She would sever ties with all of them—completely and utterly. Chapter 2 When Margot opened her eyes again, night had already fallen. She glanced around the empty hospital room, a cold smile reaching her eyes. A nurse entered, holding her medical report. She briefly explained Margot’s condition and informed her to settle the bill and prepare for discharge the next day. As Margot flipped through her medical records, the phone on the bedside table buzzed incessantly. The messages were from Maisie. Maisie had sent dozens of photos, each one flaunting her happiness. In the images, Joey carried Maisie on his back, walking her home, while Charles, wearing an apron, cooked for her. The two men surrounded Maisie, their faces brimming with affection. Piled at their feet were heaps of extravagant gifts. [Gigi] Maisie wrote smugly. [Charles and Joey spoil me so much. I must be the happiest little girl in the world!] Margot glanced at the messages but didn’t reply to a single one. The next morning, after a night of rest, she completed her discharge procedures and returned home. As soon as she stepped inside, she saw Charles, Joey, and Maisie gathered on the sofa, watching a movie together. The two men flanked Maisie protectively. Charles fed her pieces of fruit, while Joey handed her a drink. The bloodstains that had once marked the floor were gone, thoroughly cleaned away. No one seemed to care. Margot averted her gaze and silently retreated to her room. She pulled out a cardboard box and began packing. Piece by piece, she filled the box with belongings until it was overflowing. Once it was full, she carried the box and walked out. Not long after, the blaze outside caught Joey and Charles’s attention. Noticing something was amiss, they both rose from their seats and stepped outside, only to see Margot standing before a large fire pit, throwing items into the roaring flames. Their hearts sank. “What are you doing, Gigi?” Joey demanded, his voice tight with alarm. Margot didn’t respond immediately. Instead, she picked up a veil from the box and held it up, her gaze fixed on Joey. “Joey, you gave me this when you were seven,” she began, her voice steady but cold. “We were playing house, and you wouldn’t let anyone else be my groom. You said only I could be your bride. “You gave me this veil and told me it would be the one I’d wear at our wedding someday.” Then she tossed the veil into the fire. The flames consumed it instantly. Before the shock could register on their faces, she pulled out a charm and looked at Charles. “Charles, you gave me this when you were fifteen. I was frail and constantly sick back then, always running a fever. “You couldn’t bear to see me suffer, so you went to Fragrant Hills Church just to pray for my health and safety.” Once again, Margot threw the item into the fire, her actions swift and resolute. Next, she pulled out a love letter Joey had written when he confessed his feelings to her. Then came the glass slippers Charles had gifted her. After that, it was the princess dress Joey had once given her. One by one, she threw each token of her past into the flames. Not even the photographs capturing her childhood and youth were spared. Watching her methodically erase every memory they had shared, Joey could no longer stand it. He surged forward and grabbed her hand in desperation. “Gigi, I know you’re still upset about what happened yesterday,” Joey began his tone a mix of frustration and sadness. “But Maisie is an adopted child. She has never felt secure, and soon, she’ll be marrying into the Stewarts in your place. “Her days of happiness are numbered. This is something you owe her. Must you fight with her over everything?” Charles looked at Margot with equal disappointment, a trace of anger creeping into his voice. “You must have hit your head pretty hard. What Maisie is about to lose is her entire future happiness. “Maybe Maisie was right—she said you’ve been spoiled rotten and lack even half her maturity!” Margot shook her head slowly. “No, you’re both wrong.” It wasn’t Maisie who was going to marry into the Stewart family—it was her. Without offering any further explanation, she turned and gazed at the smoldering ashes in the fire pit. Then, without another word, she headed back to her bedroom. The next morning, as Margot prepared to leave the house, her eyes landed on a pile of gift boxes stacked by the door. She recognized them instantly. They were from Joey and Charles. In the past, whenever the two men angered her, they would never allow her to stay upset for more than a day. Charles, in particular, would camp outside her room, his eyes red with worry. “Gigi, if you don’t forgive Charles, he won’t leave. He’ll stay here until you do.” Joey used to show up with a pitiful look, his arms full of gifts. “Gigi, if you’re still upset, you can hit me or yell at me. Just don’t let it affect your health.” But this time, neither of them came. Only a cold, lifeless pile of items awaited her. Margot glanced at the gifts, her expression indifferent. With a self-deprecating smile, she threw everything into the trash can. Just then, Maisie, who had just gotten up, appeared in the hallway. She covered her mouth with her hand, feigning surprise. “Why did you throw everything away, Gigi? Do you think these gifts are beneath you?” she asked in a sickly sweet tone. “Oh, I told Charles and Joey that you’ve been spoiled since childhood and would definitely find these things unworthy of your attention. I even suggested they give you the original versions of what I have, but they insisted I keep them. “I’m just a poor, lonely adopted girl, after all. You’re the true lady of the house, but look at how much they dote on you…” A sneer tugged at the corner of Margot’s lips. Her voice was calm yet sharp. “Then congratulations. This house is all yours now.” Without waiting for Maisie’s response, Margot turned and walked away, her steps steady and resolute. Chapter 3 Over the weekend, Margot decided to hike up to Serene Church. She had heard that prayers made there almost always came true and decided to make one for Dominic, who was still in a coma. She had heard he was once a remarkable figure, a gifted individual, the pride of the Stewarts, but a car accident had left him in a vegetative state for five years. Now, as she was about to marry him, she thought, "In happiness and adversity we rise and fall together." She would do everything she could to help him wake up. Even if he never did, she would care for him for the rest of her life, with no one else by her side. She walked slowly, her devotion unwavering. She had not expected to run into some familiar faces. Charles and Joey had accompanied Maisie, their knees slightly scraped from the climb. All three looked equally stunned to see Margot there. Maisie’s eyes were red. She touched her cheeks and spoke with a choked voice, “Gigi! Charles and Joey heard the miracles of this church, so they insisted on coming to pray for me…” Margot ignored her and focused on her prayers, silently chanting in her heart: "May the heavens bless our marriage, and may my future husband wake up and live a life of peace and joy." Seeing her praying so devotedly, the three of them were all silenced. After a while, Charles could no longer hold back and grabbed Margot’s arm. "You've been pampered since childhood so what are you doing, running here like this? There are almost ten thousand steps before we reach the church. No one is worth all this effort from you!" Margot smiled. "And Maisie is worth all that?" Joey instinctively retorted, "May is different. She's the most important person to me." It was clear that at seventeen, when he confessed his feelings to her, Joey had claimed that Margot was the only one he loved, yet now, the most important person had become Maisie. Margot laughed through her tears. "Yes, so the person I'm praying for is also the most important person to me." With that, Margot withdrew her hand, took a few steps to the side, and slowly resumed her climb. Looking at her determined expression, Charles sighed deeply. "I understand now. You’re praying for me, right? Then this is enough. I don't need you to endure this suffering." Joey looked at her with eyes full of pity. "Gigi, I don't need it either. Let it go." Margot said nothing. She glanced indifferently at them, then turned to face the front. Her attitude sent a chill through Charles and Joey. For the first time, they didn’t pay attention to Maisie and couldn’t help but follow her up the mountain. Time passed slowly, and as evening approached, they finally reached their destination. Margot, her knees covered in blood, painfully made her way into the church. Near the entrance, she found a set of stationery to write down her prayers. The two men, following closely behind, saw the initials "DS" written on the paper and frowned. Obviously, it was not referencing either man. "Who’s this DS?" The moment Margot placed the written prayer into the wooden box near the table, Joey suddenly seized her arm. His eyes were blazing with anger. He could accept Margot praying for Charles, but beyond that, he could not tolerate any other man’s involvement. Chapter 4 Margot couldn’t understand Joey’s intentions. He had just declared that Maisie was the most important person to him, yet now he was showing such jealousy about her actions. She was about to speak when Maisie suddenly tripped and fell to the ground. Joey and Charles rushed forward without a second thought, ready to help her up. Tears filled Maisie’s eyes as she refused their support. “You’re sore from the hike up here. Please don’t worry about me.” She then looked up at Margot. “Gigi, could you help me to a seat so I can rest for a while?” Before Margot could respond, Maisie walked over and leaned against her. Margot instinctively tried to push her away but lacked the strength, so she passively allowed Maisie to rest against her. Just as they passed a few seats, Maisie grabbed Margot’s arm. The once-soft, delicate expression on her face turned into one of challenge. “Do you think you can capture their attention with such petty tricks, Gigi? In your dreams!” Margot was confused by Maisie’s sudden change and was about to speak when she saw Maisie raise her hand and slap her own face a few times. As she struck herself, she began to cry loudly. “I was wrong, Gigi! I’m sorry! Please don’t hit me! “I promise I won’t fight you for Charles and Joey’s attention anymore. Please, have mercy on me!” The loud sound quickly caught the attention of Charles and Joey, who were just a few steps away. The two men rushed over and saw Maisie’s face, covered in slap marks, tears streaming down her face. Enraged, Charles immediately stormed over and shoved Margot away. Too weak to resist, Margot crashed into a light stand before hitting one of the church benches. Her forehead instantly started bleeding. Joey looked at her, his eyes filled with fury. “What the hell, Gigi! Maisie has suffered for over ten years without any parents. Even when she came to the Johansons, she was just an adopted daughter! “You’ve always had everything, why do you have to target her? I’ve found out they’re already preparing for the wedding, and in just a few days, she’ll be married off. Do you really want to fight her for this?” “Don’t be so gentle with her, Joey. She’s becoming more and more unreasonable! This isn’t the first time you’ve caused trouble for Maisie, Gigi. “A few years ago, we could say you were immature, but now that she’s about to get married, you still won’t let it go. How can you be so malicious as a sister!” Margot thought the pain would be over, but their cruel words cut her deeply. Hurt, sadness, despair, and pain welled up inside her, so overwhelming it nearly suffocated her. “It wasn’t me! She staged it herself. There are surveillance cameras all over the place. You can check for yourselves—” Before she could finish, Maisie covered her face with both hands and cried, “Guys, my face hurts so much. Will I be disfigured...? “And what wedding are you talking about? Who is married?” The two men’s expressions instantly changed. Joey was the first to react, immediately gathering Maisie into his arms. “It’s nothing. I’ll take you to the hospital right now.” “You misheard us, Maisie. I’ll find the best doctor for you. You won’t have any scars.” As their footsteps grew fainter, Margot could no longer hold back her tears, tightly clutching the charm in her hand. They were all wrong. The one marrying into the Stewarts was her! Chapter 5 Margot was finally sent to the hospital by a kind-hearted stranger. As it was her second injury, the doctor berated her, questioning how she had gotten hurt again and asking if she didn’t care about herself. She couldn’t bring herself to speak the truth—the wounds were a gift from the two most important men in her life. In the meantime, Maisie sent her a video. As soon as she opened it, Maisie’s voice, full of feigned sympathy, filled the room. “Gigi also got hurt. She’s being treated in the room next door. You guys should go see her. She must be so lonely all by herself.” Charles, who was cutting fruit for her, casually said, “You’re too kind, May. She’s done this to you, and now a little pain will teach her a lesson.” Joey handed her a cup of warm water. “And I can’t deal with her right now.” Such a convenient excuse. Margot smiled bitterly, tears welling in her eyes. After being discharged from the hospital, Margot locked herself in her room, refusing to leave. It wasn’t until her birthday, when her parents returned from their business trip, that she finally came downstairs. In the living room, they were busy preparing for the birthday banquet. Fred and Martha smiled and handed each daughter a dress. They gave Maisie a newly released haute couture gown adorned with countless small diamonds. I was worth millions of dollars. The dress given to Margot was a starry gown from a few years ago, long past its runway days. Anyone with a keen eye could see the favoritism, but they made excuses, claiming that the dress suited Margot’s complexion better. The maids who were cleaning nearby couldn’t help but whisper among themselves. “Is Miss Margot really their biological daughter? Today is clearly her birthday, yet Mr. and Mrs. Johanson gave the expensive dress to the adopted daughter?” “They’re just making excuses. They’re afraid Miss Margot will outshine Miss Maisie with a more extravagant gown. After all, Miss Margot is far more beautiful than Miss Maisie…” “Not only is she beautiful, but Miss Margot is gentle and kind to us. She treats the maids so courteously. “Miss Maisie, though, walks around with her nose in the air and punishes us for the smallest thing. I really can’t stand her. When will she leave for marriage?” “I heard it’s soon. The Stewarts are already preparing for the wedding.” Margot silently listened to the maids’ gossip. She didn’t say a word, gathered her things, and returned to her room. Everyone assumed that Maisie was the one marrying into the Stewart family. Only she knew the truth—that it was she, Margot, who would marry Dominic. After all, who would’ve thought that her own parents would choose to forsake their biological daughter in favor of their adopted one? At 6 PM, the banquet began on time. The moment Maisie entered the room, all eyes naturally gravitated toward her. People marveled and rushed forward to congratulate her. “You look stunning today, May! You’re truly the star of the party!” “The dress must have taken forever to get, your parents really dote on you,” they all complimented her, forgetting that the real birthday star was Margot. Margot said nothing as she quietly sat on the sofa, watching the large fruit cake and seafood spread on the table beside her. They were all Maisie’s favorites, and as Margot was allergic to both mangoes and seafood, she ate nothing the entire evening. By the time the birthday song was sung at 8 PM, everyone surrounded Maisie at the center. Even the gifts were all for her. Fred and Martha waved their hands grandly and gifted Maisie a villa in the heart of the city where space was worth its weight in gold. Charles transferred half of his shares in Johanson Group to her name. And Joey handed over a diamond necklace he had won at an auction just days ago, worth several million dollars. The necklace, sparkling brilliantly with its “true love” symbolism, immediately caused a stir. “Is this necklace a sign of something coming? Joey always seemed ready to marry someone, so it’s Maisie after all!” “They always say that the childhood sweetheart can’t beat what fate has decided. Now I truly believe it.” Chapter 6 Amid the uproar, Margot quietly stood in the corner. She felt invisible as if the lively atmosphere around her had nothing to do with her at all. After the cake was cut, cheerful piano music played, and handsome men and beautiful women gathered to enter the dance floor. Maisie scanned the room and fixed her gaze on Margot. She walked over confidently, her face full of pride. "How does it feel to have your spotlight stolen at your own birthday party, Gigi? You must feel frustrated, right? “But there's nothing you can do, I suppose. Dad, Mom, Charles, and Joey all spoil me more than you. “So what if you're the biological daughter? You're still beneath me. Look at you, so helpless and pitiful," she taunted. Margot knew Maisie was deliberately provoking her, but her tears had long since dried up over the years. She simply looked at Maisie with indifference. Maisie continued for a while, but when she saw she wasn't getting any response, she stomped her foot and left. After sitting for so long, Margot began to feel tired and just wanted to go rest. After all, the real guest of honor at the birthday party wasn’t her, was it? Just as she was about to leave, Maisie, surrounded by the crowd, suddenly shouted, “Ah, the necklace Joey gave me is missing! There’s a thief here!” Margot turned around and, sure enough, saw Maisie’s bare neck. For some reason, an uneasy feeling suddenly surged within her. Sure enough, the next moment, she saw Maisie crying, her eyes filled with tears. “Just now, I was talking to Gigi, and my necklace disappeared. “Gigi, if you really liked it, you could have just asked me for it. Why did you steal it?” As soon as the words were spoken, all eyes in the room turned toward Margot. Margot took a deep breath and calmly met the malicious gazes directed at her, her voice steady. “It wasn’t me. I am the eldest daughter of the Johansons. A necklace like that is nothing to me. Do you think I’d need to steal it?” Her calm and composed demeanor eased the suspicions of many in the room. Joey frowned, still not believing her, but Maisie wasn’t about to let it go. She insisted on accusing Margot. “If it wasn’t you, then who else could it be? A necklace might not mean much to you, but this one was a gift from Joey. You like him so much—how could you not want it? If you’re truly innocent, then let’s search you!” Search her in front of everyone? Margot clenched her fists tightly, her face cold as she rejected the suggestion. “I told you, I didn’t take it. Why should I let you search me?” “Dad, Mom, Charles, I’m telling the truth! Please believe me! “Joey, I know I’m just an adopted child. If it were something else, I’d let it go, but that necklace was from you. It’s the only thing you’ve given me, and I don’t want to part with it.” Seeing her tear-streaked face, several people began to soften. Then Charles nodded. He made a subtle gesture toward the bodyguards, who immediately stepped forward to restrain Margot. Margot looked at him in disbelief. She was his biological sister! Yet now, for Maisie’s sake, he was willing to strip her in front of a crowd. She struggled desperately, shouting that it wasn’t her, but no one listened. Margot’s luxurious gown was torn apart, and her neatly styled hair was yanked loose, large tufts of it being pulled out. She desperately clutched at her chest, her eyes filled with pain. No matter how much she explained or struggled, the people around her remained unmoved, watching the scene unfold with cold detachment. Looking at her indifferent parents, and at Joey and Charles, who were too busy comforting Maisie, Margot felt as if she had fallen into a nightmare. Her parents had once held her in their arms, terrified of her getting hurt, and her brother, who would stand up for her whenever she was wronged, then taught the perpetrators a lesson. And Joey would always stand by her side, shielding her from the storms of the world. But everything had changed. As the last bit of her gown was about to be ripped off, the tears of agony blurred Margot's vision. In a moment of despair, she suddenly remembered something. With all the strength she could muster, her blood-stained hand—her broken nails dripping—shot up, and she shouted with all her might. "It wasn’t me! I have the footage to prove it!" Chapter 7 The entire room fell silent at Margot’s words. All the color drained from Maisie’s face. Margot staggered to her feet. How could she have forgotten? After Maisie had intentionally framed her last time, fearing another attempt, she had secretly placed a micro camera in her earrings. Wiping the tears from her face, she quickly removed the earring with the camera and plugged it into the large screen. The video showed that when Maisie had turned her back, she had used the opportunity to hang the necklace on Margot’s gown. All of Maisie's mocking taunts were also exposed. The public's opinion in the hall flipped instantly, and everyone looked at Maisie with expressions of disgust and contempt. Margot, her hair a tangled mess, trembled as she picked up her phone and dialed 911, her brows set in determination. "Hello? Police? I’d like to report someone framing me—" Maisie trembled violently and burst into loud sobs. "I didn’t mean it! I just wanted to play a little joke on Gigi. Why do you have to blow this out of proportion?" As soon as she began crying, the Johansons and Joey rushed over to wipe her tears, their cold eyes turning toward the disheveled Margot, their tone filled with disapproval. "May said it was just a joke. Why can’t you let it go?" "She’s so kind and pure, how could she possibly do something like framing someone? The authenticity of this footage is still in question!" "Enough! This farce ends here. Calling the police for such a small matter—aren’t you embarrassed of yourself?" As they spoke, they escorted Maisie out of the hall. Watching their hurried departure, Margot truly felt what it meant to be abandoned by everyone. She laughed quietly, her body cold, unable to control the trembling that overcame her. In the days that followed, Margot stayed locked in her room, avoiding the outside world, just waiting to be married off as quickly as possible. She had never imagined that one day, the family that had once showered her with boundless affection would become the very place she longed to escape. One day, as she was packing her bags, she suddenly heard a loud commotion outside the villa. She opened the window and saw Maisie driving a car in the garden. Joey was sitting in the passenger seat, smiling as he instructed her. Charles stood by the roadside, gently guiding her as she backed the car into the garage. Margot was slightly bewildered as she watched the three of them. It was Charles and Joey who had taught her how to drive years ago. Back then, it was winter, and the cold weather bit at her skin. Joey worried she would catch a chill and would hold her hand after each trip, gently warming it in his own. Charles, ever indulgent, would brave the cold wind to record videos for her and stay up late sorting through the notes he had made. But those were memories from a long, long time ago. Margot lowered her eyes, hiding the sadness in them. In the afternoon, she had planned to bid farewell to a few friends and was getting ready to head out. But as soon as she stepped outside, a car suddenly struck her, sending her flying several meters through the air. With a loud crash, she slammed into the hard stone pavement. Blood poured from her mouth, and her entire body felt like it was falling apart. Intense, bone-crushing pain radiated from every part of her, tugging at her nerves. In a daze, she saw Maisie get out of the car with a smile on her face. "Ah, Gigi, I’m so sorry! I just learned how to drive, and I accidentally mistook the gas pedal for the brake. I didn’t mean to hit you. "Look at all this blood. You must be in a lot of pain, huh? I should call an ambulance right away. "Wait, what’s the emergency number again? 911? 999? Or is it 991? Maybe I should call each of them one by one, but that’ll take a while. Gigi, you’ve got to hold on!" Chapter 8 Margot lost consciousness before she knew if an ambulance had been called. She lay on the ground for half an hour before Joey discovered her and rushed her to the hospital. She finally regained consciousness after a day and a half only to find that her chest hurt terribly, as three of her ribs had been broken. She felt so weak that she couldn’t summon any strength to sit up, and just breathing caused her excruciating pain. Fred and Martha stayed by her bedside, their faces full of concern. Charles repeatedly asked the doctor if there was anything that could ease her suffering. Joey tightly held her hand, wiping the cold sweat that constantly formed on her forehead. After the accident, it seemed as though everyone’s attention had shifted back to Margot. But only she knew that their concern wasn’t solely for her wellbeing. “Margot, the doctor said the pain is temporary. Please bear with it, and you’ll start feeling better soon. May didn’t do it on purpose, so forgive her, alright?” “It’s all my fault. I didn’t teach her properly, and she made a mistake. Gigi, if you want to be angry, be angry with me.” “We’re all family, it was just an unfortunate accident. Don’t take it to heart, Gigi. Rest and recover, that’s what matters now.” All morning, Margot heard a variation of those words countless times. They looked worried, but every word that left their mouths was just an excuse for Maisie. It was unclear whether it was the physical pain or the aching in her heart that made Margot unable to stop her tears from falling. The people in the room blurred into shadowy figures in the mist, their faces indistinguishable. Perhaps it was a hallucination brought on by the pain, but her mind conjured up many vivid images. Her parents, who used to call the doctor to dress a small cut on her hand; Charles, who knew she hated taking medicine and would always take it with her, no matter what it was, just to make her feel better; Joey, who would guard her every step when she sprained her ankle, ensuring she didn't walk a single extra step. All of that was gone now. When Joey saw her crying, his heart tightened, and he raised his hand to wipe away her tears. Just then, a nurse walked in. “There’s a young girl outside the ward who fainted from emotional distress. Someone needs to go check on her.” Upon hearing that Maisie had passed out, everyone immediately left to attend to her, rushing toward her room. The once noisy ward instantly became empty, leaving only Margot in its silence. Her tears, however, continued to pour uncontrollably. She cried herself to sleep, and when she awoke, the room was still silent, and the pain in her body had not subsided. The phone next to her pillow lit up intermittently. When she unlocked it, she saw a message from Maisie. [You’re the one who’s hurt worse, but everyone is only concerned about me. You’re nothing but a joke, Gigi.] Joey was gently blowing on a bowl of porridge before feeding it to her. Charles was racking his brain for all kinds of bad jokes, trying to make her smile. Fred and Martha were adjusting the blanket around her. In the one-minute video, everyone gathered around Maisie as they comforted her. “We know you didn’t mean it, May. Your sister won’t blame you. Please stop feeling guilty.” “You’re upset, and it hurts us too. Don’t cry anymore, or your eyes will swell up. You’ll look worse.” “Margot just needs to rest for a few days. It’s not serious. She’ll be fine. Please don’t worry.” Each word felt like a knife, piercing Margot’s heart. She tightly shut her eyes, barely managing to stop the tears, her nails digging painfully into her palms. At that moment, one thought consumed her mind: On the day she left to marry, not a single one of them should come. A week later, Margot was discharged from the hospital. The doctor advised her to stay longer, but she shook her head, telling him she couldn’t wait anymore. She was to leave for Northwatch to get married. When she returned home, the villa was quiet, except for her phone, which kept vibrating with provocative messages from Maisie. She ignored them all. Later that morning, as she looked at a picture of Maisie having fun at an amusement park with their parents, smiling together on the carousel, Margot sat at the table and wrote a letter severing all ties with her family. She then placed it in her parents’ room. From now on, she would no longer be a daughter of the Johansons. She no longer had parents or a brother. At noon, when Maisie sent a video of Charles giving her a piggyback ride and promising to love and protect her forever, Margot called a few gardeners to dig up all the tulips in the backyard. Charles had carefully planted all the tulips after learning that she loved them, and he had tenderly nurtured them for over a decade. He had said that no matter where she got married, he would transplant the tulips there, as they symbolized his love for her. But now, she no longer wanted his love. That evening, when Maisie sent an audio recording of Joey setting off fireworks by the river and declaring she would always be the most important person to him, Margot took a box to the Griffins. Inside it was the heirloom Joey had entrusted to her when he was seventeen. Back then, she had joked about him giving her the heirloom so early, asking if he wasn’t afraid of what the future held. However, Joey had only held her tightly, his eyes full of passion, and said, “Margot, the only person I want to marry in this life is you. If it’s not you, I’ll never marry at all.” Now, she was getting married, and the groom was not him. Suddenly she heard the sound of a car engine coming from outside. Margot opened the door to find a middle-aged man in a suit standing there. “Hello, Miss Margot. I am the butler from the Stewarts, Alfred Hampton. I’m here to take you to Northwatch.” Margot nodded politely, grabbed the luggage from the side, and softly said, “Let’s go.” Alfred took the luggage from her and glanced at the empty house. “Don’t you need to say goodbye to your family?” Veridian City and Northwatch were thousands of miles apart, and since she was marrying into a prominent family, it was unclear when she would be able to meet them again. Margot shook her head and got into the car. “Drive, please.” There was no need for goodbyes. There would be no need for anything from now on because, starting today, she no longer had a family. In the dark of night, the car slowly made its way to the airport.