Chapter 3

Celandine's POV

My mother Isolde's expression froze. Hearing Alondra's name, the violent rage in her eyes finally wavered.

"Isolde, I'm begging you," Kael's voice turned raspy. "Six years ago, Celandine was only thirteen, ignorant and young. Now she is nineteen! This endless punishment must end!"

Isolde pressed her lips tightly together, turning her face away. For the first time, she remained silent in tacit agreement.

Relieved, Kael turned and gently took Alondra's hand: "Darling, you don't have to pretend to be paralyzed anymore. Your mother and I have agreed to stop the medication starting today. Both you and Celandine can leave the wheelchairs and live normal lives."

Incredible ecstasy burst in Alondra's eyes. She stood up abruptly and threw her arms around Kael: "Is it true?! Dad! I can really get rid of this wheelchair for good?!"

"Of course, you can wear high heels to anywhere you want to go," Kael stroked her hair.

Beside them, Isolde looked at the hugging father and daughter, her eyes soft enough to melt ice. But when she glanced upstairs, her tone instantly filled with cold prejudice and disgust once more:

"I only agree to stop the medication out of love for Alondra! As for Celandine, hiding antibiotics to deceive me proves she is innately rotten and beyond redemption!"

Kael sighed helplessly: "Forget it. I'll go call Celandine out for dinner and tell her the good news."

"Don't you dare go!" Isolde barked harshly, her eyes dark. "Since she dared to play tricks hiding antibiotics, she must starve for a night! That is her punishment!"

Standing nearby, Joren hesitated before speaking up: "Isolde... today is Celandine's nineteenth birthday after all."

Isolde issued a cold judgment full of contempt: "Joren, don't forget that it was because Celandine faked being sick to make Alondra deliver your gift that Alondra ended up in that car accident. Tomorrow, our whole family is taking Alondra on vacation. We'll leave Celandine home alone and see how long she can pretend to be paralyzed without us waiting on her! She must bow her head and apologize to me for hiding the drugs!"

Kael and Joren exchanged a glance. Facing the overbearing Isolde, they ultimately chose to yield.

My soul hovered quietly in midair.

Watching them laugh and circle around Alondra, discussing tomorrow's vacation itinerary, a wave of tearing sorrow and bitterness surged through my heart.

I had prayed countless times in my nightmares to break free from the torture of injections and wheelchairs, to stand under the sunshine once more.

Yet cruel reality cut into my soul like a dull blade—I had already passed away.

I raised my translucent, ethereal hands, watching the lamplight pass straight through my palms, filled with profound sorrow. I would never have the chance to live a normal life again.

Early the next morning, as dawn broke.

Joren parked his car at the gate, picking up my parents and Alondra.

Before stepping out the door, father Kael looked at my tightly closed bedroom door upstairs, his face filled with concern: "Isolde, is it really okay to leave Celandine home alone? She has trouble moving around, what if an accident happens?"

"What accident could possibly happen?" Isolde rolled her eyes, her tone unyielding. "She stopped taking the meds a month ago, her legs recovered long ago! Sitting in that wheelchair is pure acting to fool us! She doesn't need us worrying about her!"

I rushed forward frantically, screaming at Isolde: "I'm not acting! I really am paralyzed! Even without the drugs I couldn't stand!"

But no one could hear my voice, and no one could see my transparent figure. All my defenses dissolved into thin air.

Unable to sway Isolde, Kael could only shout toward my bedroom door: "Celandine, take care of yourself. If you feel unwell, call us anytime."

"Alright Kael, stop wasting your breath on that stubborn brat!" Isolde urged impatiently. "Let's go!"

The heavy slam of the front door shook the floorboards.

My soul drifted out after them, pulled along by the moving car.

Having not stepped out of the house for six years, I pressed against the car window, looking at the scenery flying by outside with wide eyes filled with novelty and confusion.

The car interior was quiet. Joren drove steadily while Alondra slept soundly in Isolde's arms. Isolde gently stroked Alondra's hair, her eyes brimming with endless partiality.

I watched that scene greedily, thinking to myself: If I were good enough, obedient enough, could I have earned a moment of motherly tenderness too? Sadly, there are no 'ifs' anymore.

Three days later, at the vacation villa.

Joren walked up to Isolde, his expression serious: "Isolde, I think the discipline on Celandine has gone far enough. After we return, I will spend more time with her. I also hope you won't treat her like this anymore... You don't love her at all."

Isolde froze, her eyes turning red instantly as she cried out defensively: "How could I not love my own child? I'm just furious that she's so disappointing! Why can't she be sensible and gentle like Alondra? I tried so hard to teach her, yet she can never measure up to her sister!"

Kael wrapped an arm around Isolde's shoulder, promising in a low voice: "When we get back, we'll guide her together."

Alondra also stepped forward obediently, taking Isolde's hand: "Mom, when we go back, I'll help you talk to sister too, so she becomes obedient."

Just as the four of them were immersed in visions of a bright future, the phone on the table suddenly rang with a sharp, frantic chime.

Kael picked up the call. Before he could speak, Grandmother Marwen Thorne's voice burst through the speaker, trembling with violent sobs and terror:

"Kael! Where the hell are all of you?! Get back home right now! Celandine... something happened to Celandine!"