Lemira’s first clear glimpse of Caspian’s face post-injury struck her hard.
The last time they had met outside the police station, his face was wrapped in bandages, concealing the extent of his injuries.
Now, there was no hiding the long, prominent scar stretching across his cheek, its red, raw flesh standing out grotesquely. For someone like Caspian, whose career thrived in the spotlight, this was a devastating blow. And given the depth of the wound, simple remedies were off the table.
The office was eerily silent.
Caspian, looking deflated, pulled out a velvet box and laid it on the desk, revealing a set of pink diamond jewelry – a necklace, a bracelet, and a ring.
With a hoarse voice, he said, I know you gave the diamond ring I bought you to Evelina as an apology gift, so I bought you a new set to make up for it.
Lemira couldn’t help but scoff at the sight.
I don’t need these anymore, she said coldly.
Lemira, I know I was harsh on you back then, blaming you for leaving me. But now I realize I was duped by Evelina. If I had known the truth sooner, I wouldn’t have treated you that way.
Lemira thought back to her tragic end in a past life.
Frankly, she found Caspian’s words hard to believe.
Caspian, gauging Lemira’s reaction, felt a sinking feeling, just as Asher had predicted.
Lemira, sitting back, said, Are you done? Take your things and leave. I have a lot to deal with.
Her expression was icy, utterly unmoved.
Caspian, unable to hold back, blurted out, Lemira, you see what’s become of my face. Even if you drop the charges, my career is over. Can you really stand to see me locked up?
If that’s your argument, you should be asking Evelina to face jail time. After all, she’s the real culprit, isn’t she?
Caspian fell silent for a moment. She’s deleted the video that could’ve proved her guilt. I have no evidence.
Then you should be confronting Evelina, not me.
Lemira’s eyes sparkled with sarcasm. So, you think I should forgive you because your face is ruined, and I should just bear all the slander? That’s not what I meant.
Then I must have misunderstood you. Please, leave.
Lemira didn’t even let Caspian get another word in; she was too busy for this.
Caspian stepped forward in disbelief. Lemira, I’m your brother. If anyone’s a victim here, it’s me!
If you were the one at fault, I’d accept it, Caspian continued, still not giving up. But I was tricked by Evelina too. How can you not see my
side?
Understand him?
Lemira’s voice dripped with irony. So, what? You beat Evelina up, make her apologize publicly, and I’m supposed to forgive you just dike
that?
I didn’t say that. But Evelina is the main culprit. You should be holding her accountable.
Caspian thought he was the innocent party here.
Lemira laughed outright. Then you should be asking Evelina to atone for you, just like Alaric took the fall for her.
Caspian’s face darkened. With Asher protecting Evelina, there was no way she’d serve time for him.
Watching Lemira’s retreating figure,
he said disappointedly, Lemira, no wonder Asher said you’ve become cold-hearted. Now I see it for myself.
He had shown her his injured face, yet she hadn’t softened at all.
Lemira, you’re like a totally different person. I can hardly believe you’re my sister!
If he hadn’t seen it with his own eyes, Caspian would never have believed Lemira could be so merciless.
Lemira’s lips curled coldly. Because the Lemira who used to bend over backward to please you, who was always meek and compliant, is dead.
Lemira, even if you suffered because of us in the past, we’re still family. I just don’t get it. Why let things come to this?