Hua Jing squinted her eyes, the sterile light of the hospital room making it hard to see the figure approaching. The woman moved with slow, deliberate steps, her silhouette tall and slender.
As the figure came closer, Hua Jing's breath caught. The person entering the room wasn't just anyone.
It was Hua Ling.
Her step-sister.
Hua Jing's eyes narrowed dangerously, a knot of dread forming in her chest. The way Hua Ling moved, with her head tilted slightly and her steps unhurried, sent a chill down Hua Jing's spine.
This idiot! What does she want now?
Hua Ling's gaze locked onto the broken, bandaged figure on the bed—onto her.
"Miss, you can't be in here!" a nurse exclaimed, rushing over to intercept her.
Hua Ling immediately gasped, her hands flying to her mouth as she looked at the nurse with wide, tear-filled eyes. "I'm so sorry," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I didn't mean to disturb you. It's just… the person on that bed… she's my sister."
The nurse hesitated, her stern expression softening. "Your sister?"
"Yes," Hua Ling said, her lips quivering as if she were holding back a sob. "How… how is she doing? Please, tell me. I need to know if she'll be okay!"
Hua Jing, standing invisibly to the side, crossed her arms and rolled her eyes. She had seen Hua Ling's performances before, but this was on another level!
The nurse sighed, glancing at the monitors. "Her condition is critical. The injuries she sustained were severe. But we're doing everything we can to save her."
"Thank you," Hua Ling whispered, her voice cracking just enough to sound convincing. A single tear rolled down her cheek, and she sniffled, dabbing her eyes with a delicate handkerchief. "Please… please save her. She's my only sister."
Hua Jing nearly gagged.
Only sister? she thought bitterly. Since when did you care about me, Hua Ling?
After all the things Hua Ling did back then, Hua Jing felt like the word SISTER should not even come out of that vile mouth of hers!
"I need a moment with her," Hua Ling pleaded, her tear-streaked face a picture of sorrow. "Just a few minutes. Please."
Hau Jing heard that and almost pleaded with the nurse: Don't leave me with this psycho!
But, no one could hear her!
The nurse hesitated but eventually nodded. "Fine. I'll step outside, but only for a moment."
"Thank you," Hua Ling said softly, clasping her hands together as if in prayer.
The nurse left the room, and the door clicked shut.
The moment they were alone, Hua Ling's demeanor shifted entirely.
Her tears dried instantly, and the soft, pitiful expression on her face twisted into a sneer.
"Look at you," she said, her voice dripping with malice. She stepped closer to the bed, her heels clicking against the floor. "You're so battered I can hardly recognize you anymore."
A sly smile formed on her face
Hua Jing watched from the corner of the room, her hands balling into fists. Her sister's sudden transformation didn't surprise her—it disgusted her.
This was the Hua Ling that she knew!
Now, all that was left was to see what she was up to!
Hua Ling leaned over the bed, her sneer widening into a cruel grin. "What was that?" she asked mockingly, tilting her head as if waiting for an answer. "Did you say something?"
She leaned even closer, her ear hovering just above Hua Jing's mouth.
"Oh, right," Hua Ling said, pulling back with a laugh. "You can't say anything. You're practically dead!"
"Hahahaha!"
Her laughter echoed through the room, shrill and grating. Hua Jing stared at her, her jaw tightening. She had always known her sister had a mean streak, but this was beyond anything she had ever imagined.
This woman is insane, Hua Jing thought, her lips pressing into a thin line. Absolutely mad.
Hua Ling straightened, flicking her hair over her shoulder. She gazed down at the battered body on the bed, her expression equal parts amused and smug.
"You used to think you were so high and mighty," she sneered. "The great Hua Jing, the star who everyone admired. Everyone loved you, praised you. You were untouchable. And me?" Her voice hardened, her eyes narrowing. "I was always in your shadow."
Hua Ling's eyes danced dangerously, "I tried so hard to get rid of you yet you were like a pest! Refusing to leave no matter what but look at you now..."
"Finally...Finally..."
Hua Ling said.
All of these left Hua Jing in shock.
Her accident...could it be Hua Ling?
If it was Hua Ling then it was reasonable. This woman's jealousy was too much to comprehend and on the day of the accident, Hua Jing was to receive an award that Hua Ling had wanted her whole life!
Everything made perfect sense!
Hua Jing's eyes danced in fury!
Hua Jing raised an eyebrow, watching her sister's tirade with growing irritation.
"And now look at you," Hua Ling continued, gesturing dramatically toward the bed. "Broken. Helpless. Pathetic."
She leaned closer, her lips curling into a cold smile. "It suits you."
Hua Jing's fingers twitched. If she weren't invisible, she would have slapped the smug expression off her sister's face!
Hua Ling's voice dropped, turning almost conversational. "Do you know what it's like, living under someone like you? Always being compared to the perfect Hua Jing. Always being told to be more like my sister." She scoffed, her gaze hard. "I hated you."
Hua Jing's chest tightened. She had always known Hua Ling resented her, but hearing it spoken aloud still stung.
"But don't worry," Hua Ling said, her tone turning sweet and mocking. "I'm not here just to taunt you. I actually brought you something."
Hua Jing's eyes narrowed.
Hua Ling reached into her bag slowly, her movements deliberate. Her smile was eerie, a twisted mockery of innocence.
"I thought it would be nice to show you this," she said, her voice light and airy, as though she were talking to an old friend.
Hua Jing stepped closer, her curiosity piqued despite herself.
Hua Ling pulled out a small black envelope, its surface glossy and unmarked. She held it up, her grin widening. "Do you know what this is?"
Hua Jing's brows furrowed.
"It's a little gift," Hua Ling said, her tone sing-song. "Something I've been keeping just for you."