BENEATH 4

Chapter 4 

My fractured knuckles hadn’t healed when Stephen Davis dragged me onto a flight to Switzerland. 

All because Dorothy Robinson wanted to ski. 

Feigning a pitiful tone, she said, “Don’t leave Michelle home alone. Let’s bring her along.” 

Stephen seemed to have forgotten my doctor’s warning. When I refused, he scoffed. 

“Stop joking. You’re not some porcelain doll.” 

“Dorothy’s inviting you as a favor. Don’t be ungrateful!” 

Forced onto the slopes, Dorothy smirked at my bloodless lips. 

She pointed at Stephen buckling protective gear onto Mila. 

“I heard he taught you to ski. Now he won’t even touch your hand.” 

Slowing her pace beside me, she swung her metal pole crashing down on my right leg. 

“Who do you think Stephen would save first if we got trapped? You or me?” 

I stared in horror as my body hurtled toward a pine tree. 

But Stephen sprinted toward Dorothy, who’d tumbled into a snowdrift. 

He carried the unharmed woman away without glancing back. 

Only when paramedics loaded me onto a stretcher 

did I notice my right leg bent at a grotesque angle. 

That night at the chalet, Stephen blew dry Dorothy’s hair. 

Mila squeezed fresh orange juice, lifting it to Dorothy’s lips. 

“Aunt Dorothy, you must’ve been so scared today.” 

“It’s all Michelle’s fault for not protecting you!” 

Dorothy nestled weakly into Stephen’s arms. “Don’t blame her. I know Michelle dislikes me.” 

“After we return home, let’s cut ties. I won’t come between your family.” 

Her retreat–as–advance charade always worked on them. 

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Chapter 4 

To father and daughter, I’d remain the villain deserving death. 

True enough, Stephen ignored my leg cast. 

He snapped coldly, “You caused Dorothy’s fall!” 

“Faking a broken leg to escape blame? She’s too terrified to sleep!” 

“Kneel and apologize now!” 

Dorothy arched an eyebrow at me–silent victory. 

I shut my eyes, swallowing bitter resentment. 

“My apologies. It’s my fault.” 

My artificial heart thumped stiffly. Arguing required strength I no longer had. 

Stephen seemed startled by my compliance. Studying my ashen face, he hesitated. “Is your leg actually injured? 

Should I fly you home for treatment?” 

I shook my head, eyes downcast, missing Dorothy’s icy glare. 

Next day, she proposed seeing the Northern Lights. 

Shortly after they left, Dorothy rushed back in panic. 

“Michelle! Is Mila here?” 

“I turned from taking photos–she vanished!” 

Her frantic voice buzzed in my ears. I limped toward where she pointed before asking details. 

My broken leg scraped behind me as bone pierced flesh with each step. 

Snowflakes fell while I helplessly called Mila’s name. 

A sudden blow knocked me face–first into ice. 

Dorothy stomped her figure skate into my back. 

“Bitch! Think Stephen would care? Die already!” 

The glinting ice blade stabbed deep into my chest, spraying crimson blood when pulled out. 

I spat out a mouthful of bloody foam, watching her turn away with a cold sneer. 

The monitor on my wrist showed my heartbeat fading to nothing. 

Summoning my last strength, I pulled out my phone and dialed Stephen. 

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Chapter 4 

“Did you find Emily?” 

He paused, confused. “What nonsense? Emily’s been with me in the RV this whole time.” 

I exhaled weakly. “My heart… it hurts terribly. Please come…” 

Before I could finish, he impatiently snapped, “Michelle, we’re tired of you playing sick. Try something new.” 

“We’ve known each other since high school. Since when did you have heart problems?” 

“You just don’t want us watching the Aurora with Dorothy. How pathetically twisted.” 

He hung up coldly and blocked me, shielding their trio’s happiness. 

At minus thirty degrees, my artificial heart gradually stopped from hypothermia. 

My phone suddenly rang. With trembling fingers, I swiped the screen. 

Dorothy’s photo filled the display. 

Inside their warm RV, Stephen gazed adoringly at her and Emily. 

Steaming fondue sat before them. 

A bitter laugh escaped me as snow began covering my body. 

Counting my heart’s final beats, I closed my remaining left eye. 

en… Emily… won’t be able to walk the rest of the path with you. 

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