Chapter 4

A sharp cat's cry sliced through the night, and Jayden's hand, which was lifting the burlap sack, froze. Logan let out a relieved sigh. "It's just a stray cat." In the dark, Natalie's nails cut deep into her palm, and blood oozed through her fingers, leaving dark red stains on the burlap sack. … As morning light filtered through the gap in the curtains, Natalie quietly stared at the fresh bruises on her legs. "What happened?" She pointed at the painful-looking marks, yet her tone was eerily calm. Jayden's gaze flickered as he replied, "Maybe… you didn't sleep well last night and fell down from the bed?" Logan hurriedly changed the topic. "It's your birthday next week, Natalie. Is there anything you want?" He crouched down and took Natalie's hand gently, the way he always did. "I'll throw you the biggest birthday party, okay?" She recalled the birthday parties she had before she was 14. Back then, she would wear a custom-made dress. Jayden would personally put a diamond tiara on her head, while Logan would get down on his knee to help her put on glass slippers. But ever since Clara had shown up, everything had changed. She'd become the person showered with attention at parties. "No need," Natalie softly replied. "We can't have that!" Jayden and Logan replied in unison, their gazes burning with passion as if they truly cared for her. Logan gave Natalie's hand a squeeze. "We'll throw you the biggest party ever!" … In the following days, both Jayden and Logan were out early and home late. Even Clara was nowhere to be seen. Natalie watched with cold detachment as they hurried about until her birthday came. "This is the dress and jewelry I prepared for you, Natalie." Logan hurriedly set an exquisite gift box down. "I'll get the safety seat ready. We can leave once you're done getting changed." After the door closed, Natalie noticed that he had left his phone on the bed. Her blood froze when the screen lit up. It was a three-person group chat glaringly titled "Sunshine and Her Two Knights". The latest message was a photo from Clara. "Does my dress look good, Jay and Logan?" With a trembling hand, Natalie scrolled up, only to find several other messages—Clara's selfie under the Ayfe Tower, a photo of Jayden hugging her while they ate ice cream, and a video of Logan putting a diamond necklace around her neck. It turned out that the "preparations" over the past few days had just been an excuse for them to go on a trip to Eurostra with Clara. Meanwhile, the dress in Natalie's hands had the word "gift" printed on the tag. Tears fell onto the phone screen as she stiffly placed it back. When Logan came back, he was surprised to find Natalie hadn't gotten changed yet. Before he could ask, she softly said, "My legs are too ugly. I don't want to get changed." "Don't say that." He cupped her face carefully and said, "You'll always be my princess." After that, Logan had the household staff help her into the dress and jewelry. He then wheeled her into the car. … The banquet hall looked magnificent, but no one spared a glance at Natalie, the birthday girl in her wheelchair. All the while, Jayden stayed by Clara's side as she cut the cake, while Logan was busy adjusting her dress. Natalie felt like an outsider, watching her own birthday party turn into another woman's spotlight. Suddenly, the ground started shaking violently. "Earthquake!" Panic erupted in the crowd. Natalie watched helplessly as Jayden and Logan rushed toward Clara. Her wheelchair was toppled. The moment the ceiling came crashing down, she vaguely heard Logan's distant cries, "Natalie!" Darkness enveloped everything. "The aftershock is coming! Both women are trapped—who do we save first?" came the rescue worker's frantic voice. "Ms. Carter is in a more dangerous position—she might lose her limbs if we don't get her out in time!" "Just let her lose them." Jayden's calm voice sounded cruel. "Save Clara first."