Chapter 3 No More Apologies Sydney's sudden heart attack threw the Larks into chaos . Whatever thoughts Bastian had about talking to Azalea were instantly forgotten . +10 Free Cams Matthias , on the other hand , let his emotions spiral . In his eyes , Sydney's condition was entirely Azalea's fault - first pushing her down the stairs with malicious intent , then using that fake apology to further torment her , stirring up so much emotional distress it triggered her illness . Upstairs in her room , Azalea lay on her bed while Sydney had already been rushed to the hospital . The guests who came to the banquet were being quietly ushered out by the butler . The new school year was just two days away . Since she'd decided not to pursue arts anymore , it was time to contact her teacher and return to her original academic class . She wouldn't make the same mistake twice - never again would she be the stepping stone beneath Sydney's climb to fame and glory . In her past life , Sydney didn't have the grades to get into Jubilee . At the same time , Azalea had secured automatic admission through a prestigious national art competition . The Larks had forced her to take the test for Sydney - even though it meant sacrificing her own future . Maybe Sydney got lucky , or maybe Azalea had been too capable . Against all odds , they pulled it off . But that was only the beginning . After entering university , Sydney was credited with everything Azalea achieved . Every time she tried to resist , the Larks cut off her financial support , leaving her helpless . That's why , in this life , her first goal was to make her own money . Once she had financial independence, she could finally take her first real step forward . And honestly , she was curious - could Sydney still become the internationally acclaimed ' genius artist ' she was in their last life without her ? With her eyes closed , exhaustion finally caught up with her . Azalea slowly drifted into sleep . She was awakened hours later by sharp , cramping pain in her stomach . Her face turned ghostly pale , sweat dripping from her forehead like rain , each drop soaking into the sheets . It hurt so much . Gritting her teeth , she struggled out of bed to reach the painkillers in the drawer . After years of being underfed and neglected in the Larks , she'd developed a severe gastric condition . She had forgotten - today , she'd been ordered to stick by Sydney's side all day , ' protecting ' her . She hadn't even had a single bite to eat . With the main family members gone for dinner , not a single maid cared whether she starved . Before she could find the meds , a sharp knock pounded on the door like a death sentence . 1/4 14:48 Sat , 9 Aug at , 9 Aug Chapter 3 No More Apologies 349 % +10 Free Coins A maid stood there to inform her that her father had told her she needed to go to the hospital and apologize to Sydney . Clutching her stomach , Azalea climbed into the car . By now , the pain had numbed her , her face as pale as a ghost . Another apology . How many sins did she supposedly owe Sydney ? What does she want to do this time ? She leaned against the car window , eyes closed . Whatever Sydney wanted from her this time - it didn't matter . She had nothing left to give anyway . Dragging her feet down the hospital corridor , she finally reached Sydney's room . She pushed the door open - only to be met with a vicious slap across the face . " You heartless brat ! Can't stand to see your sister doing well , huh ? " The man in the crisp , tailored suit looked refined , but the rage in his dark eyes betrayed every ounce of that elegance . To him , Azalea wasn't a daughter - just a mortal enemy . " Cough . " Azalea slowly straightened , touched the side of her stinging face , and tasted blood in her mouth . This man was her father - Wesley . Behind him stood her second brother , Matthias , his gaze just as cold . " If anything happens to Sydney , I won't forgive you ! " Sydney lay on the hospital bed , nestled in Bastian's arms , gazing at Azalea with a pained , sorrowful expression . Azalea laughed under her breath . So that's why she'd been summoned . In her past life , her father had missed Sydney's big day because of an important business meeting . Already consumed with guilt , he came home to rumors that Azalea had pushed Sydney . Furious , he dragged out the family whip and beat her half to death . Then , he officially announced her inheritance now belonged to Sydney . She didn't know exactly what had happened this time , but it wasn't hard to guess . It was all playing out the same way - using her to soothe Sydney's fragile little ego . But the reality was … " What exactly did I do ? " Azalea asked , looked straight at the man who claimed to be her father . Had she crippled Sydney ? Maimed her ? Everyone demanded apologies - but for what crime ? Wesley's rage deepened . " What kind of attitude is that ? Watch your tone ! " He felt his authority being challenged and , without a word , raised his hand to slap her again . Azalea didn't know where the strength came from . Despite the searing pain in her gut , she reached up and caught his wrist . " Did I say anything wrong ? Matthias , Bastian - did either of you actually see me push Sydney down the 2/4 O 14:48 Sat , y Aug Chapter 3 No More Apologies +10 Free Coins stairs ? No ! You just assumed it happened , so it must be true . You didn't even bother checking the stairwell cameras ! " Her voice rose to a near scream , a release of all the pain and injustice she'd bottled up for so long . Maybe Azalea had always been the type to endure silently , to cry , and apologize . But now , her fire left them stunned . " You still didn't take proper care of Sydney ! That's your fault , too ! " Matthias roared . How dare she still argue ? " And that apology you gave - was that some kind of trick ? You brought out those gifts just to trigger her heart attack , didn't you ?! " His chest heaved . He was furious . " Apologize ! " Wesley barked , face dark with wrath . " I've discussed it with your brothers . Your inheritance share goes to Sydney . " Still nestled in Bastian's arms , Sydney tried weakly to sit up . " No , don't . Dad , I'm fine . This isn't Azalea's fault . Just an apology is enough . " See ? So gracious . So forgiving . Azalea nearly laughed out loud . If she apologized now , then the crime of ' hurting Sydney ' would stick to her for life . " Shut up ! " Azalea snapped , staring coldly at Sydney . There would be no apology . Dream on . " Take care of Sydney ? What am I , her mom ? Her maid ? She's an adult - why should I be held responsible for every second of her day ? Where exactly does that obligation come from ? " She let go of her stomach , her spine straighter than it had been in days . Bastian hesitated . He noticed the strange pallor on Azalea's face and was about to step in to defuse the situation . But Azalea didn't give him a chance . " Even if Sydney was scared because of me , even if I didn't take good care of her - didn't I bring out all those valuable gifts to make amends ? Yet , I'm still wrong ? You all don't -find that ridiculous ? " Why did you even bring me back to this family in the first place ? " Everyone knew they were biased . But they could not maintain their proud faces when Azalea said it aloud . " Go check the cameras . If it really was me who pushed Sydney down the stairs , don't just make me apologize - take my life for hers , I don't care ! " That shut Sydney up in an instant . She'd always been confident her parents and brothers would side with her no matter what . That's why she never worried about consequences . But suppose anyone actually looked at the footage . In that case , they'd see it clearly : the second she heard her brothers coming , she flung herself down the stairs . III O 3/4 Chapter 3 No More Apologies " No need for that ! " Sydney's voice jumped several pitches in panic . +10 Free Coine Realizing her mistake , she quickly clutched her chest , bit her lip , and softened her voice . " Everyone , you've already done so much for me . Checking the footage would just be too much trouble . Let's just say I fell by accident . " Matthias , seeing her fragile act , immediately melted . " Nothing about you is ever too much trouble . " Wesley frowned , eyes full of disappointment as he looked at Azalea . " We just didn't expect you to become like this . " She'd heard those exact words in her past life - so many times , they were etched into her bones . Her stomach felt like it was on fire . The pain was unbearable . Sweat drenched her temples . Azalea squinted toward Bastian . His mouth was moving , but all she could hear was a loud , high - pitched ringing . Her vision went black. And she collapsed on the floor . Bastian's heart jumped into his throat . Just as he was about to suggest checking the camera footage , Azalea passed out cold . " Azalea ! " he shouted in panic . Without sparing Sydney another glance , he rushed to her side and lifted her into his arms . Then he turned to Wesley and said coldly , " Dad , I think we should check the security footage ." ||| Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!