After her rebirth by Cici

Chapter 71

Despite the removal of obstacles to his marriage with Clara, Desmond found himself inexplicably uneasy, his joy not as boundless as he had expected. With a heavy heart, Desmond forced a smile. "Thanks, Maximilian."

But Maximilian's words only made his doubts grow. Was he stepping in for him or for Katniss? "Stay here until Katniss wakes up and apologize to her," Maximilian said, his voice low but firm. "Maximilian!" Desmond's fingers clenched. He didn't want to, but he was scared to argue, too.

Sure, he missed the call, but he wasn't the one who hurt Katniss. So why should he apologize?

Maximilian's sharp eyes bore into him. "You still think you're blameless? It's fine to cherish Clara, but what has Katniss done wrong? You couldn't stand up for yourself, so you took it out on a girl. Is this what the Boleyn family taught you?" Maximilian went on, "Your engagement is still on, yet you're messing around with your fiancée's sister. Do you have any idea how scandalous this looks for the Boleyn family?"

"I'll ask you again, where were you tonight?" Maximilian's gaze was intense.

Desmond's heart skipped a beat. If Maximilian found out he was with Clara, it would only make things worse for her.

Grinding his teeth, Desmond felt a wave of frustration. "I'll apologize to Katniss."

Katniss was badly hurt and didn't wake up until two days later.

Around five in the afternoon, the sunset poured through the hospital window, lighting up the room.

Katniss slowly opened her eyes, her fingers twitching. It felt like her insides had been rearranged, causing sharp, intense pain.

It reminded her of when she had cancer in her past life.

By the time she was diagnosed, it was already late-stage. Her whole family, including herself, had given up on treatment. Dylan, being a doctor, only gave her meds to ease the pain.

She endured night after night of agony, foolishly worrying about her family's concern.

one really loved her; they were just waiting for her to die so they could use her

and Katniss's face was as pale

she took a slow breath

Katniss stirring

in to check on her and told the Manners family, who had hurried over, "Be careful in the next few days. Make sure she gets

everything. If the nerves got damaged, it could end

nodded over and over.

doctor gave some basic instructions and

sat down, her eyes red, carefully looking at Katniss in the hospital bed. Her face was still bruised, the marks standing out

surviving on IV fluids, and she had lost a lot of weight, her

said, reaching out to hold Katniss's hand but stopping herself. "Why are you so stubborn? Just admit you were wrong and come home. Wouldn't it be

you've only been out for a

clutching the blanket, stiffened. She opened her eyes and looked calmly at Elodie. "Only you all will be happy,

brought back, intruding into a family that never

was hurt by her words, her emotions surging. "You are also my daughter, the one I gave birth to. Katniss, I

Every time Katniss was hurt, she comforted herself,

and her four brothers were connected

in the end, it was they who

a light laugh, her gaze mocking as she looked at Elodie. "If that's the case, then we're better off going our separate ways. You can't be fair, and I'm not gonna put up with

They fell into silence.

Elodie had said, the Manners family members arrived

couldn't come,

came, making the room

knowing that Katniss just