Bella's POV
I dropped my gaze, clenched my jaw, and willed myself to get up. Without uttering a word, I awkwardly hauled myself into the carriage, crawling on my hands and knees.
My legs burned with agony, barely supporting my weight, and I knew I looked pathetic.
Lucius averted his eyes, refusing to witness my struggle. He'd probably expected years of suffering to crush my defiance, but the second we crossed paths again, here I was—apparently putting on some performance to earn his pity.
If it weren't for that person's commands, he wouldn't have bothered retrieving me at all.
I couldn't understand why someone so powerful would even acknowledge my existence, and from the look on his face, the order to retrieve me seemed to puzzle him, too.
Lucius jumped out of the carriage first.
Without so much as a backward glance, he barked at his soldiers, "I've got camp business to handle. Once you've dropped her off, torch the carriage—I never want to see it again. The thing's contaminated."
Contaminated. The word sliced through me like a blade. My chest constricted with that familiar, hollow ache. I drew a shaky breath, kept my face blank, and climbed down from the carriage.
Beyond the massive crimson gates of the duke's mansion, a woman stood waiting. The moment her eyes found me, she hurried forward, desperation written across her features.
But her opening words were, "My precious daughter, it's been far too long. Have you finally come to your senses?"
"Yes," I answered without emotion.
My mistake had been craving love too desperately. This time, I'd cut those bonds completely. Just... not yet. Not while Ursula Fairfax, my grandmother, still depended on me.
Genevieve Fairfax studied me—her daughter, now gaunt and hollow-eyed, so distant—and her confidence wavered.
Years of torment had transformed me entirely. One glance was enough to pierce her heart.
No matter how grievously I'd transgressed, I remained her child—her own blood. And clearly, I'd suffered enough.
"I'm glad you've learned," Genevieve murmured. "You can't be so reckless again. Come now, stand up."
She extended her hand to assist me.
But I immediately pushed myself upright and stepped backward, creating space between us.
My expression stayed wary, defensive.
Genevieve's heart clenched. "Are you angry that I was too severe? I did it for your benefit—for your future! What mother doesn't want her child to succeed?"
Her eyes glistened, her voice quivering with unshed tears. "Please don't resent me..."
Her face radiated grief, as if she'd been the one enduring years of hell.
I stood motionless, making no attempt to close the distance between us.
Just then, a graceful figure emerged from the manor and gently took Genevieve's arm.
"Mother, Bella just returned home. She's probably disoriented. Don't take it personally if she seems cold—just give her some time, okay?"
The girl was delicate and pale, with flawless skin and an angelic, innocent expression.
She turned toward me and offered her hand, eyes sparkling with apparent sincerity. "Bella, I don't harbor any grudges. Let's put the past behind us, all right? We're still family—we should care for each other like we used to."
Her smile remained as gentle and unthreatening as always.
I nearly burst into laughter. After everything I'd survived, did they honestly believe a few sweet words could simply erase it all?
"Care? Between you and me?" Revulsion flashed through my gaze.
That's when someone finally snapped.
"Ivy's already being incredibly generous with you, and you're still behaving like this? What's your problem?"
Jasper Fairfax had just returned from court, still wearing his scarlet official robes. He dismounted his horse and strode over, clearly annoyed.
"Do you think you're the only one who's suffered all this time? Do you realize what Mother's been through? She's lost countless nights of sleep, her hair's going gray!
"If Ivy hadn't stepped up to care for her and handle your responsibilities, who knows what might've happened?"
Jasper had witnessed the entire exchange—Genevieve's excitement quickly crushed, Ivy's gentle overture met with my icy rebuff.
From the fury in his eyes, I knew he was thinking: 'Years of consequences and she acts like the victim? What gives her the right to feel wronged? Ivy nearly died.'
Genevieve scowled at her son, clearly displeased. "Don't be dramatic. She just got home. As her older brother, you should treat her more kindly. Don't frighten her."
"Mother, you don't need to shield her. The Fairfax family has done nothing wrong here. She's the one who messed up. And because of her actions, our entire household's standing took a hit.
"Everyone in Valeridge City knows the Duke's family raised a cruel, scheming daughter. And Ivy? She never once complained—she's done everything possible to safeguard this family."
Jasper still seethed with anger.
"Bella! Ivy even defended you—she told everyone you never poisoned her, just to preserve your reputation. Shouldn't you show some appreciation?" he pressed.
When I remained silent, his voice turned harsh. "Speak up! Have you lost your tongue?"
I blinked hard, fighting the burn behind my eyes.
Once, Jasper had been different.
Unlike my second and third brothers, he'd genuinely cared about me.
He'd promised to divide the affection he gave Ivy and share half with me—and for a time, he'd meant every word.
When servants disrespected me, he'd ordered thirty lashes on my behalf. For my birthday, he'd hand-carved a jeweled pendant just for me. When fever struck, he'd stayed at my bedside all night.
But all that tenderness evaporated the instant Ivy played wounded.
Love that could vanish so easily—that kind of love, I no longer desired.
The silence between us grew thick and uncomfortable.
Genevieve quickly intervened to defuse the tension. "What's past is past. Let's go inside—your father and grandmother are still waiting."
Jasper snorted and flicked his sleeve dismissively as he headed toward the estate.
After a few paces, he glanced back, his tone suddenly tender. "Ivy, come along."
"Of course, Jasper." She beamed sweetly, shooting me a quick look. She said nothing—but somehow conveyed everything.
I was accustomed to this by now. I'd always been the outsider in this family.
My decision was already made: I would release my grip. Let Ivy claim it all—Lucius, my parents, my brothers.
But even with that resolution, witnessing this scene still made my throat constrict and my eyes water.