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.

her to die so

worn off, and Katniss's face was

her long lashes, she took a slow

noticed Katniss stirring and

next few days. Make sure she gets enough nutrition and take good

If the nerves got

and over.

instructions and

carefully looking at Katniss in the hospital bed. Her face was still bruised, the

surviving on IV fluids, and she had lost

out to hold Katniss's hand but stopping herself. "Why are you so stubborn? Just

only been out for a

stiffened. She opened her eyes and looked calmly at Elodie. "Only you all will be happy, not me. You

never have been brought back, intruding into a family

her words, her emotions surging. "You are also my daughter, the one I gave birth to. Katniss, I want to care for you too, but you're so full of

was hurt, she comforted herself, reminding herself that she was Elodie's biological

four brothers were connected by

they who repeatedly disappointed her, leading

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 this favoritism crap anymore." Elodie was stunned, anger rising within her. "You still have injuries.

They fell into silence.

said, the Manners family members arrived

and couldn't come,

all came, making the

that Katniss just needed to recuperate, they all breathed a

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