Feng Yilan's arms were crossed over her chest, and her lips wore a mocking smile as she addressed Feng Suyin.
"Are you still waiting for Brother Jun to come see you, Yin-jie? Don't bother; he's not coming. Even if he does, he's already mine."
Feng Suyin couldn't speak but could only glare at her sister through her blurry eyes. She had a feeling that the lab explosion was no accident, and Feng Yilan was involved, seeing how she was there to revel in her misery. She knew Feng Yilan despised her in the past but never thought she would sabotage her work and her life. The sting of betrayal mixed with the pain of her burns.
"He did want me to pass on his goodbye," Feng Yilan continued with a smug tone. "He wanted to thank you for getting rid of Ji Yuzhe once and for all. If it weren't for you, Ji Hanjun wouldn't have been able to secure his inheritance. You only made it out alive because Ji Yuzhe ruined our plans again."
When Feng Suyin gave her a confused look, Feng Yilan laughed.
"You still didn't know how Ji Yuzhe saved you from the fire twelve years ago? But you've mistaken Brother Jun for your savior instead. I don't know what he saw in you, but he must have cared deeply to risk his life for yours."
Feng Suyin felt her heart turn cold as memories flooded back- the heat, smoke, and being carried by strong arms to safety. How could she be oblivious?
"Do you know how pathetic you looked when we were shopping for your wedding dress? You have no idea Brother Jun, and I were fooling around in the dressing room next door." Feng Yilan lifted her hand, showing off the diamond ring on her finger.
"The one he wanted to marry is me, not you, Yin-jie."
As the weight of Ji Hanjun's betrayal settled on her, Feng Suyin felt her heart sink. She loved him, trusted him, and believed their connection was real. Only now did she realize it was all a cruel game to further his own ambitions. She was used to being a pawn—a willing one at that.
She knew Ji Hanjun despised Ji Yuzhe but didn't see how she was involved. They had never been close; they were often at odds with their different ideologies. While Ji Yuzhe easily pulled people towards him, Feng Suyin preferred the quiet of her lab. It was always a point of contention between them. However, despite their differences, she never wanted harm to come to Ji Yuzhe.
She understood his flaws and past traumas, even if he used them as an excuse for reckless behavior. He seemed relaxed and easygoing, yet there was a clear barrier between him and others. They rarely crossed paths, but deep down, Feng Suyin had a certain respect for him. He may have been arrogant, but he had a genuine desire to make a difference in the world- something Ji Hanjun could never understand or see toward his half-brother.
The brothers always competed for their father's approval. Now that Ji Yuzhe was out of the picture, Ji Hanjun had finally secured his inheritance without any threat to his status as sole heir of the Ji family.
Feng Suyin's stomach churned and twisted, a manifestation of the betrayal she felt. The man she thought she loved had lied to her, manipulated her, and now stood before her with a wicked smirk on his face. She couldn't believe it.
No, she refused to believe it. It had to be a mistake. Feng Yilan must be lying, trying to break her spirit with false accusations.
But the glint in Feng Yilan's eyes and the smugness in her voice told Feng Suyin otherwise. Her sister laughed behind her perfectly manicured hand, relishing the pain and confusion on Feng Suyin's face.
"You can deny it all you want, Yin-jie. But we both know the truth. Ji Hanjun is here now, and he's mine. You were just another pawn in our game," Feng Yilan sneered.
Feng Suyin felt a surge of anger and disbelief rise within her. How could she have been so blind? So foolish to fall for Ji Hanjun's charm and lies? But deep down, a small part of her refused to accept Feng Yilan's words as the truth.
"You don't need to worry about your research, Yin-jie," Feng Yilan continued, her voice dripping with insincerity. "Dad and I will make sure it continues. After all, our family's legacy must live on. But you, Yin-jie, you will be left with nothing."
Tears spilled from Feng Suyin's eyes as she realized the full extent of Ji Hanjun and the Feng family's betrayal. They had used her, taken everything from her, and now they were discarding her like trash.
As if sensing her thoughts, Feng Yilan injected a yellowish liquid into Feng Suyin's veins. Panic surged through her as she realized what was happening, but it was too late. The room spun around her as the drug took effect.
Through blurry vision, Feng Suyin saw Ji Hanjun enter the room with a triumphant smirk on his face. He looked every bit the charming, charismatic man she had once fallen for, but now his true colors were revealed in all their darkness.
"You see, my dear Feng Suyin," Ji Hanjun sneered, "you were never more than a pawn in our game. And now that you've outlived your usefulness, it's time for you to disappear."
Feng Suyin's consciousness began to fade, but deep within her subconscious, a flicker of hatred ignited. She refused to let herself go down like this. Why? Why? She screamed inwardly. Why had she been so blind? Why did her life have to end like this? Did she mean nothing to them?
But as she lay there on her deathbed, one thought consumed her: regret. She regretted staying with the Feng family and deluding herself into thinking that Ji Hanjun loved her. In the end, not only did she lose her life, but she also failed to see the person who truly cared for her.
As she took her last breaths, Feng Suyin relived all of her regrets. But the biggest one was choosing to love someone who was incapable of loving anyone but himself. As darkness enveloped her, she could hear Feng Yilan's voice one last time.
"Sleep well, Jiejie. As your younger sister, I will surely enjoy the fruits of your hard work."