Chapter 20 I gasped sharply , the pain so intense that my vision went completely white . Yet not a single person spared me even a glance . Simon was the first to rush over - but only to crouch down and lift Fiona into his arms . " Does it hurt ? Did you hit yourself anywhere ? I will take you to the hospital . " He didn't even raise his head , as if the acrid stench of burnt flesh behind him simply didn't exist . " Ethan frowned and stepped up to me - not with concern , but to seize my collar so hard that I was forced onto my toes . \ " Callista , you just can't stop wallowing in filth ! You're still as vicious as you were three years ago ! Fiona already told us - it was you who threatened her to leave and she couldn't handle the pressure , so she left sick . Now that she's finally come back , if you dare to bully her again , don't blame me for being ruthless ! " My back trembled from the pain , tears spilling uncontrollably down my cheeks . " I never did such a thing ! " Jason's expression was so cold it felt like he was a stranger . " Callista , just to compete for attention , you would even go after someone who's ill ? Your methods ... truly disgust me . " } His gaze fell on me as though I were nothing more than a pile of garbage . " It was a look I had never seen in his eyes before - like every last shred of patience with me had been exhausted . Fiona , supported to her feet , lifted her eyes to him , her voice drifting softly . " Jason , don't blame her . Maybe she just doesn't like me ... " Jason's eyes darkened . Reaching out , he wrapped his arm around her shoulders , his voice gentle as he soothed her . " Don't be afraid.As long as we like you , that's enough . " " The pain on my back surged in waves like a relentless tide , leaving me barely able to stand . " Through the blur of my vision , I could only make out three tall figures , one after another , shielding Fiona as they walked out the door - the light casting their side profiles in a warm glow . " They gave her all - the tenderness , the heartache , the instinct to protect . " They always believed Fiona so easily , without hesitation . And I was left alone in the vast , empty living room , collapsing into despair until consciousness slipped away . " When I woke again , the pain stabbed so fiercely it seemed to cut right through my bones . My eyelids felt weighed down with lead , my chest unbearably tight . Even the slightest breath tugged at the wound , like someone was tearing me apart from the inside . And yet I was still at home . No one had bothered to take me to the hospital . " The housemaid stood stiffly at the foot of the bed , her hands twisting the apron into knots , eyes darting everywhere but me, not daring to meet my gaze . " " Awake ? " A deep , cold voice rang out from the doorway . " I turned my head and saw Simon and Ethan step into the room almost at the same time . Their strides were hurried , their expressions carrying a heavy weight that pressed down on me like a suffocating force . " Simon strode straight to the bedside , lowering his gaze onto me . His tone was icy , utterly devoid of warmth . " Fiona is in the hospital , losing too much blood . This afternoon , you caused her wound to reopen . Now you must give blood to make amends . " > I froze , a wave of cold absurdity rising in my chest . " I didn't hurt her . I'm not giving blood . " Ethan sneered coldly . " Everyone saw it - you pushed her and caused her to be shocked . This is your debt and now you have to pay ! " " I already said I didn't- " I shouted instinctively , only to be cut off by Simon's piercing glare . " Shut up ! Whether you admit it or not , your blood type is the perfect match : Get up right now and come with us to the hospital . " I gritted my teeth as waves of pain slammed against my chest . " I'm not going ! l didn't do anything wrong - why should I give blood ? I'm injured ! If I give blood , I could die ! " The air froze instantly . Ethan narrowed his eyes and stepped forward , looking down at me , his voice low and cold . " If you won't give the blood willingly , you'll have to do it by force . " " If you had any conscience at all , you would give your blood to Fiona voluntarily , " Simon's face darkened to an extreme shade . " Otherwise , starting today , we have no sister in you ! " In that instant , my eardrums seemed to explode with a loud ringing & I looked at the two people who had protected and loved me for the past three years - my family - and felt my chest hollow out completely.So , in their eyes , my life was worth so little . They knew how much I valued their love and used the threat of severing ties to control me . !! " I said it - I'm not in the wrong ! I won't give her a drop of my blood ! " My voice trembled , yet cut through the air with piercing . clarity . " They would never know that I had already made up my mind to leave - their threats no longer held any power over me . Simon's eyes turned suddenly frigid . " Hold her down . Make her kneel ! " The housemaid flinched in fear , not daring to move . " Ethan strode forward without hesitation , yanking me off the bed . My knees slammed hard against the cold floor , the pain so sharp my vision went black . \ " Kneel here and think carefully ! You'll only be allowed to stand once you agree to give blood and admit your mistake ! " " I bit down hard on my lip , my back held perfectly straight . " I will not admit to something I never did ! " \ The patience in Simon's eyes was completely exhausted . In an icy voice , he commanded , " Pin her down and take her to the hospital ! " Ethan roughly grabbed my arm . When I struggled , the movement tugged at my wound , sending sharp pain through me as cold sweat trickled down my back . My hands and feet were firmly pinned down and the light before my eyes grew dimmer and dimmer . A sudden surge of searing pain rushed through my chest , draining all my strength . The voices around me sounded distant , as if muffled by water . I lost consciousness once again . " **** When I woke up again , the pungent smell of disinfectant filled my nose . " The cold hospital bed made me shiver , while the burning pain in my back felt like countless needles pricking into me . Through the half - open ward door , I heard the doctor's low and regretful voice . " Her back is covered with injuries.In this condition , drawing more blood could be life - threatening ." " Do it ! " Simon's voice was cold and unyielding , without the slightest hesitation . " She harmed Fiona - she must pay for it ! "