Chapter 3

Chapter 3

I let out a muffled cry of agony just as the door was kicked open.

"Who the hell do you think you are?"

Brody kicked the nurse violently to the ground, then turned and pulled me into his arms with a conflicted expression.

"I'm sorry, Janelle. It's my fault. I let you suffer again."

"Janelle, you need to stop playing dirty tricks to target Josie. She comes from a poor family and looks up to you as her only big sister. You need to be more understanding of her."

Sister? I took several deep, ragged breaths, despising that word for the first time in my life.

I first met Josie Hart at a company gala hosted by Brody. Back then, she was just an ordinary intern who was constantly pushed around because she had no connections.

I felt sorry for her and decided to step in and help her out.

After that, Josie clung to me under all sorts of pretexts, claiming she had no family and saw me as her only sister.

I believed her naive act. I personally mentored her and even brought her along whenever Brody and I went on dates.

Back then, I wondered why they hit it off so quickly during their very first meeting. Looking back now, everything had been meticulously planned.

In a corporation that large, Josie was far from the only underprivileged employee.

How could it be such a coincidence that everyone supposedly bullied only her?

It was merely a setup created by Brody. He placed his secret lover right beside me so he could take her everywhere in broad daylight.

Too bad I realized the truth too late. Now, down a kidney, I was trapped in this massive city of New York.

"Janelle, are you listening to me? I know you're upset that our engagement was interrupted. Don't be scared. Once you're discharged, I'll throw an even grander ceremony for you. I will invite all our high-profile business partners so everyone can witness our happiness."

Since college, marrying Brody Sullivan had been my dream.

I used to dream about a white wedding gown and a magical ceremony.

Now, the very thought made me sick.

"Brody, let's call off the wedding."

I rasped out my refusal, but Brody stroked my cheek and pulled me closer.

"Janelle, stop acting like a spoiled child. Are you terrified of getting kidnapped again? Don't worry. I've already hired the world's top private security firm. Even their CEO will be attending in person. I guarantee you will be one hundred percent safe this time."

The Sullivan family was barely considered second-tier elite in New York. There was no way he had the clout to invite that firm's CEO.

My mind raced. The world's top private security enterprise belonged to my father. Over the past few years, my father had retired, leaving my older sister in full control of the empire.

My sister had no idea I had run off to New York for love, so she certainly wasn't coming because of Brody's request.

"Janelle, I'm finally going to marry you. I've waited so long for this day."

Brody continued whispering sweet lies into my ear.

I gripped his sleeve, secretly anticipating the moment I would see my sister.

She would definitely scold me for reducing myself to such a pathetic state.

Yet compared to staying by Brody's side, I desperately missed my sister, my parents, and my older brother.

"Janelle, Brody, what are you two whispering about? Let me hear too!"

A sharp pull dragged me out of Brody's embrace. Josie had walked in, wearing a delicate white dress that made her pale face look even more fragile.

Brody gasped in alarm and rushed to steady her.

"You haven't been feeling well lately, so stop running around. Janelle has me and the doctors here. You don't need to worry. We can't have you collapsing just when Janelle is recovering."

He playfully pinched Josie's nose. Then, as if suddenly remembering I was watching, he guiltily shoved his hands behind his back.