The Vanishing Heiress

Chapter 30

Two weeks later, at HeSheng·Xiaoyun Road No. 8.

The doorbell rang incessantly, and Megan Sullivan assumed it was Ethan Sterling.

She opened the door, ready to mock him for breaking his promise—only to find Emily Montgomery standing there, holding two large bags of gifts, her face flushed with embarrassment.

"Sis! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bother you. I know you probably don't want to see me. These are some herbal supplements for your health, plus some art supplies—I'll just leave them here and go!"

Despite her words, Emily made no move to leave.

Her large, watery eyes fixed on Megan.

"Is there something else?" Megan shifted uncomfortably under her gaze.

Emily nodded. "Sis… could you slap me?"

She grabbed Megan's hand. "I won't flinch or dodge, no matter how hard you hit me. I mean it."

Though she claimed she wasn't afraid, her fingers trembled slightly against Megan's palm.

Emily had been spoiled into naivety—a true hothouse flower who saw the world in absolutes.

Who in this day and age would come begging to be hit?

Megan pulled her hand back.

"You did all those things for the sake of your 'sister.' I get that. But I won't hit you—not because I'm being kind, but because violence isn't the answer between us. This isn't something a single slap can fix."

"I know. I hurt you so much before. I was wrong. I'm sorry."

Emily bowed deeply, looking as pitiful as a drenched stray puppy.

Megan sighed.

Somehow, faced with this version of Emily, she could only exhale in resignation.

And so, Emily pushed further.

First, she invited herself inside. Then, she led Megan to the psychiatric hospital where Rachel Montgomery was being held.

Mercy Mental Health Center.

"Sis, not long after you left, Ethan had Rachel sent to Redpine Correctional Facility. But then she started self-harming and even hurt others, so he transferred her here instead."

Emily studied Megan's expression carefully as she spoke.

"Right. So why bring me here?"

Megan was confused.

"I just wanted you to see that the bad people have been punished. So you don't have to keep tormenting yourself."

Megan froze.

"Why does everyone assume I haven't moved on? That I'm still stuck in the past?"

Genuine bewilderment colored her voice.

Emily waved her hands frantically. "No, no! That's not what I meant! I just—I—"

She stammered, unable to articulate her thoughts.

Megan gave a faint smile. "It's fine. Where is she? I'll go see her."

"Okay!" Emily nodded eagerly, her face flushed.

Through the transparent glass window, Megan saw Rachel strapped to a chair.

"Patient 4108 is highly unstable and prone to violence. We had no choice but to restrain her," the accompanying nurse explained.

The former Miss Montgomery was now just a cold, impersonal number.

How similar it was to Megan's own seven years.

"Most of her injuries are self-inflicted. The rest are from when she resisted medication or injections. Mrs. Montgomery and Mr. Sterling said minor injuries were unavoidable—as long as she's alive, that's what matters."

Noticing Megan's lingering gaze on the scars on Rachel's arms, the nurse grew uneasy.

Megan nodded.

Respect others' fates. Let go of the savior complex.

She wanted no part in someone else's karma.

"Sis, I just hope knowing this helps you sleep better at night. No one will ever hurt you again."

Emily took Megan's hand, her expression still cautious.

She had noticed the faint shadows under Megan's eyes, the sleeping pills on the coffee table.

Their intertwined palms were warm.

Thump. Thump.

Their pulses seemed to synchronize.

"Sis, we share the closest bond—blood. I love you. Even if it's years too late… I love you."

Megan remained silent.

"Emily, you don't have to—"

Emily cut her off. "Of course I do! You're my sister. My only sister. When Mom and Dad are gone, you'll be the only family I have left in this world. I'll share everything with you—my wealth, my status…"

Tears spilled down her cheeks. "Sis, please believe me. Love is stronger than hate."

Only Emily would say something like that.

Megan didn't ruin the moment.

As they turned to leave, restrained in her chair, Rachel began to cry.

But no one cared anymore.