Return of the Shameless Heiress Chapter 2

The river in November was freezing.

I walked into the water, shivering uncontrollably, Liam's words replaying in my mind.

But inside, a profound calm began to settle.

Maybe I should have died years ago.

Back when those monsters crawled all over me, one by one, that's when I should have just given up and let myself disappear.

I used to cling to life, always believing I still had a family.

But now, I had nothing. No family left.

Liam wouldn't even listen to my explanation. No one in this world would believe me, would understand me.

I forced a bitter smile, letting the icy water engulf my head, my body slowly sinking.

But through the haze of suffocation, I heard a raw, tearing cry.

"Aubrey!"

Then, someone grabbed me.

When I opened my eyes again, I was in a hospital bed.

Liam sat beside me, soaked and pale from the cold.

Seeing me awake, his voice was a mix of anger and urgency.

"How could you jump into the river? If I hadn't found you in time, you would have died!"

"You're the one who messed up, aren't you? I just slapped you, and now you're trying to punish me by taking your own life?"

My chest tightened. I suddenly didn't know what to say.

After a long moment, I managed to ask,

"Is not wanting to live... wrong?"

His brows furrowed. His eyes locked onto mine, scrutinizing me, as if trying to discern if I was telling the truth.

Finally, he sighed.

"I admit I shouldn't have hit you. But you really have no self-respect."

"Aubrey Sterling, from now on, you're not allowed to be involved with any men. When Mom wakes up, apologize to her properly!"

I suddenly felt so tired. My gaze drifted emptily to the ceiling, and I stopped talking.

Perhaps worried I'd run off again, Liam didn't leave.

His phone rang constantly. He handled work nearby, looking utterly exhausted.

We sat there, not exchanging another word, not bothering each other.

Two hours later, Chloe pushed open the door and walked in.

She was wearing a mask, as if I were some kind of plague.

Standing a safe distance from me, she whispered to Liam.

"Liam, the photos are still trending. A lot of people are trying to dox Aubrey."

"The company's lost so much, and Mom isn't awake yet. What are we going to do?"

Liam glanced at her, his fingers still rapidly typing on his phone screen.

"You don't need to worry about any of that. I've already arranged to send you away in three days."

Chloe's eyes widened in shock. She gasped in disbelief.

"You still want me to leave? With everything happening, how can I possibly leave?"

"Aubrey caused such a huge mess, the family needs me right now!"

Liam's fingers paused.

"I know you don't want to go, but Aubrey is my biological sister. Having you here will always affect her."

"Don't worry, I'll still provide for your expenses as before. You won't be mistreated."

Chloe's eyes stared, wide with alarm.

She instinctively glanced at me, then pleaded urgently.

"Liam, I really don't want to go back! All my family and friends are here. I won't have anyone to talk to if I go back!"

"Can you really bear for me to be alone?"

"But Aubrey spent twenty years living like that."

Liam was growing impatient.

"That's where you were supposed to be. She lived your life for twenty years."

Liam's impartial words made Chloe despair.

Her eyes reddened, and after a long moment, she said,

"Fine, I'll go back. But I want to wait until Mom wakes up to say goodbye!"

"And the company's problems still need to be solved. I want to help you!"

A flicker of relief passed through Liam's eyes, and he agreed.

"I know you're caring and sensible. You can stay for now."

With just a few words, she stayed.

I watched, expressionless, interrupting the tender moment between them.

"Chloe, why did you send those pictures?"

"Did you want to kill me, or destroy this family?"