chapter 2
The next evening, Paxton stormed through the door in a rage. He yanked his tie loose, and when his eyes landed on my bare wrist, his fury exploded. "Where's the bracelet!" He grabbed my wrist and roared, "Where's the bracelet I gave you?"
I answered casually, "I accidentally dropped it in the toilet last night."
Paxton's face flushed red with anger. "You dropped it and didn't think to fish it out?"
I shot back, "It wasn't anything valuable. Why are you making such a big deal out of it?"
"Do you have any idea that because of you, my promotion opportunity is completely ruined!" he said through gritted teeth.
I tilted my head, playing dumb. "Oh? So because I lost the bracelet you gave me, you can't get promoted?"
Paxton was about to speak. "It's because you"
James interrupted with a cough. "Enough. If something's lost, just buy another one. Don't make this into a bigger issue."
Only then did Paxton stop, breathing heavily. As I went to the kitchen to serve the dishes, I caught a glimpse of his dark expression from the corner of my eye. Not getting promoted is just the beginning. What you owe me, I'll make sure you pay back every last bit.
At the dinner table, Paxton's face remained stormy. Sophia smiled sweetly, trying to ease the tension. "Camila, you should be understanding with Paxton. He's been fighting for this position for several years now. Not getting promoted this time, he's genuinely anxious. Don't hold it against him. Look how much he loves youhe's always buying you things. I'm actually jealous. Since you don't have parents to rely on, I think of you as my own daughter."
She placed a piece of vegetable on my plate. "Eat more. Vegetables are good for your health."
She helped herself to a piece of meat, took a bite, and continued, "Oh, yesterday I went to the pharmacy downstairs to check my blood pressure, and they said my systolic pressure was 170. I need to go to the hospital tomorrow for a checkup. Do you think there's something wrong with me?"
My heart sank. I had already swallowed that piece of vegetable.
The comments started scrolling frantically:
Holy crap, this old lady is ruthless. Who would be on guard like this all the time?
What should the female lead do? Should she run to the bathroom and throw up?
Do you think the female lead already knows the truth?
At the dinner table, Sophia looked at me kindly. "Camila, don't you think so? I'll be fine, right?"
Under the table, I pressed hard against my stomach with my hand.
"Ugh!"
I vomited all the food onto the table. As I threw up, I smiled at Sophia, whose face had suddenly changed. "Of course, you'll definitely be fine."
"Ugh!"
I threw up again, and the entire dinner table was in chaos. My stomach was churning violently. I clutched my stomach weakly and said, "I don't feel well. I'm going back to my room."
Before long, Paxton came in carrying a glass of milk. "My mom had me make this milk for you. She said you barely ate anything and was worried you'd feel sick on an empty stomach. Who else would be as thoughtful as my mom?"
I kept my head down and gave a muffled "mm."
He urged impatiently, "Hurry up and drink it. Don't be ungrateful."
I replied weakly, "Just leave it there. I'll drink it in a bit."
He set the glass down heavily on the nightstand and left. Once his footsteps faded away, I immediately got up and poured the entire glass of milk into the flower pot by the window.
The comments appeared again:
How does the female lead know the milk was drugged?
I suddenly want to know what the female lead will do next.
I had just lain back down when the conversation from the next room came through the thin wall. The old house had poor soundproofing, and every word was crystal clear. I quietly cracked open my door, leaving just a small gap.
"Is Camila asleep?" It was Sophia's voice.
Paxton sneered coldly, "She's asleep.
I put seven or eight sleeping pills in her food. She's sleeping like a dead pig."
Sophia said, "Be a little gentler with her. You were so harsh todaywhat if she wants to divorce you? Jasmin is dating that rich kid. Don't complicate things."
Paxton sneered, "Mom, with that fat pig appearance of hers, who else would want her? I feel disgusted just touching her. As for Jasmin, tell her to eat less. Just looking at Camila makes me want to throw up."
This comment puzzled me. I'd been married into this family for ten years, and Jasmin had never given me anything. How had she borrowed my luck? And why had she been able to keep me overweight all this time? The comments grew alert too. [Come to think of it, they never mentioned Jasmin giving the female lead anything.]
[Maybe it was sent through Paxton's hands?]
The comments' speculation matched my thoughts. Sophia suddenly grew nervous: "She threw up today. Could she be pregnant?"
Paxton immediately cut her off: "That dead fat pig? I don't even want to touch her. How could I possibly get her pregnant?"
Hearing this, I instinctively touched my stomach. I'd once had a child, but my poor health meant I couldn't keep the baby. Paxton laughed, "Dad, your method really worked. When we worked together to get rid of that dead pig's child, Phoebe gave me a son right away. When can we bring Phoebe and Kevin home? Just seeing Camila makes me sick."
So my son's life had been borrowed too! James, who had been silent all along, finally spoke: "Just over a month left, and Camila's luck will be completely drained. Only when she dies will this luck-borrowing ritual end. Otherwise, we'll all face backlash."
Paxton was so excited he nearly laughed out loud: "Excellent! My son and wife can finally come back to me."
James coldly reminded him: "Phoebe still can't come back. You need to marry another woman with good fortune so we can keep living well."
Paxton said, "Fine, Phoebe's obedient anyway. But Kevin must come backhe's my only son."
Sophia groaned again: "Oh, my leg hurts again. Tomorrow I need to give Camila more things. And you, use your brainstop fobbing her off with cheap stuff."
Paxton smirked dismissively: "What's to worry about? She's accepted everything for ten years, hasn't she?"
Their conversation seemed to end. I quickly closed the door tight and lay back down on the bed. Moments later, Paxton pushed the door open, glanced at me, muttered "dead fat pig" under his breath, then left. In the darkness, I slowly opened my eyes. My face was wet with tears, and the hatred in my heart made me want to make them pay in blood. My child, Mommy will avenge you. For you, and for my stolen ten years of youth and dignity.