?Chapter 7:


    The persistent throb of her fractured rib was unrelenting, and her face was so severely swollen, it resembled an inted balloon.


    Lillian seethed with rage.


    “Have they lost their minds? Choosing that worthless bitch over you? Let me handle this—I’ll put an end to them!”


    Without hesitation, she took out her phone and began to dial. However, Dani, despite her frailty, ced her hand over Lillian’s, pressing the end call button.


    Lillian clenched her fists, her voice heavy with desperation.


    “This is outright domestic abuse! You’ve been hurt! Are you seriously considering forgiving Alexander after everything he’s done?”


    Her eyes then caught the glimpse of fresh blood oozing through Dani’s bandages, and tears began streaming down her face. With Lillian’s support, Dani pushed herself to stand.


    “Let’s get out of here for now. We’ll deal with them when the time is right.”


    Observing Dani’s weakened state, Lillian nodded, her tears mingling with a fierce resolve.


    She vowed to tear that despicable pair apart piece by piece.


    Lillian then went to take care of the hospital discharge forms. Outside, Dani stood waiting, lifting her gaze towards the hospital’s upper floors.


    The opulent third-floor ward still glowed brightly.


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    Inside, Alexander was nestled under the softmp’s light, peeling an apple. A warm smile yed on his lips as he chatted with the woman beside him.


    Dani managed a strained, sorrowful smile.


    Ten long years, and the warmth of that smile she desperately sought had never once been hers.


    Joyce, however, had earned it effortlessly.


    Dani realized she had been wrong all this time.


    She could no longer stand on her own.


    Before she copsed, she saw Lillian rushing toward her, her face etched with worry.


    Before long, Dani was hurried into the intensive care unit. The icy IV fluid seeped into her veins, lulling her into a profound slumber.


    When she finally woke up, two days had slipped by.


    “Dani! Are you alright?” Lillian’s eyes, swollen and red, betrayed her vigil by Dani’s side.


    Dani slowly propped herself up, her voice raspy as she replied,


    “Don’t worry. I’m fine.”


    Following breakfast, Dani nced at her phone.


    The online frenzy over “the bride from the fire” was overwhelming.


    Criticism rained down on Dani in thements section.


    Lillian eximed through clenched jaws, “We can’t just let Joyce get away with this! The inte is praising her as beautiful and kindhearted, dering that she deserves to be the rightful heiress to the Harper family.”


    Dani remained unfazed, her eyes skimming over the hurtful words. They no longer had the power to wound her.


    For the first time, she felt the fog lift, leaving her with a clear sense of rity.


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