When Her Heart Turned to Stone Free Preview

In Jexburgh, during the depths of winter, the biting cold made it feel like being trapped in an ice cellar.

Inside the women's prison workshop, Raylee Somers, clad in her prison uniform, was sewing shoes.

Her hands were swollen and red, tormented by chilblains and blisters, causing her unbearable pain.

At that moment, a prison guard approached her and called out, “Raylee Somers, the Goodridge family has arranged for your bail. You're free to leave now.”

The mention of the Goodridge family caused a wave of instinctual fear to sweep over Raylee, momentarily rendering her unable to comprehend the prison guard's words.

Four years ago, her fate had taken a dramatic turn.

On her eighteenth birthday, the very day she came of age, she transitioned from being a wealthy heiress to being labeled a thief.

Her biological mother, a housekeeper, had secretly switched her identity with that of the true daughter of the Goodridge family.

When the housekeeper confronted Raylee for money, the entire affair came to light.

From that moment, Raylee's life took a bleak turn. She watched the Goodridge family tearfully embrace each other, sharing their longing and affection, while she stood awkwardly and cluelessly on the sidelines.

In that instant, she had to accept the harsh reality. The father and mother she had known for eighteen years no longer belonged to her.

After a long while, Alaric Goodridge finally noticed Raylee standing awkwardly to the side. He contemplated for a good amount of time before he gathered the courage to say, “Ray-Ray, even if Waverly returns, you will always be the eldest daughter of the Goodridge family. From this day forward, Waverly will be your little sister.”

Harriet Carraway, realizing that she had been neglecting Raylee, also offered her comfort. “Ray-Ray, I will continue to love and care for you as if you were my own daughter.”

Raylee had genuinely believed it.

However, the humiliation came too swiftly.

The Goodridge family was invited to the birthday banquet of the daughter of the prestigious Lorimer family, Tiffany Lorimer.

At the banquet, they witnessed Waverly stealing the precious necklace belonging to Tiffany.

They also witnessed firsthand as Waverly's best friend accused her of being a thief on the spot.

Tiffany flew into a rage, even threatening to call the police and have her thrown into jail.

Together, they fell silent, subconsciously deciding to let Raylee take the blame for Waverly.

Despite being completely innocent, Raylee begged and struggled, but it seemed as if the entire world had turned against her.

In the end, she was still sent to prison.

At that moment, she realized she no longer had parents.

“Hey, she's off to enjoy the good life, huh? Ladies, do you think she will forget about us once she's out?” the prison bully teased Raylee with a hint of contempt in her voice.

In an instinctive response, Raylee found herself kneeling on the ground. “I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I was wrong. Please don't hit me,” she pleaded.

The prison guard frowned impatiently. “Raylee Somers, come out!”

It finally dawned on Raylee that she was getting out. The prison bully who used to pick on her would no longer be a threat.

Under the watchful gaze of the prison bully, Raylee lowered her head and slowly moved away.

After finalizing her release procedures, she donned her thin, worn-out casual clothes and was then escorted to the prison gates by a prison guard.

From a distance, she saw a tall and slender figure leaning against a luxury car.

The man was dressed in a glossy black satin shirt, its buttons partially undone. His piercing black eyes constantly radiated an aura of authority and power.

Raylee gazed at the figure before her, feeling no joy at reuniting with a loved one. Instead, a lingering fear quickly enveloped her. Her already disabled leg began to throb with a dull pain again.

He was Samuel Goodridge, the man she had considered her older brother for the past eighteen years.

In order to appease the lady of the Lorimer family, he had specifically arranged for the prison bully to give her special attention.

He was the source of all her suffering in prison.

The cold wind was biting.

What was colder than winter was the chill in Raylee's heart.

Four years had passed.

Raylee believed her heart had grown numb, but she still couldn't help feeling a deep sense of sorrow.

She fought back the urge to cry.

As she suppressed her inner negative emotions, Samuel had already started walking toward her.

She was scared, terrified even, but she dared not hide. She knew that evasion would only invite more brutal treatment. Even though she had left the prison, this conditioned response had already taken root.

“It's been a while. I'm sorry.” She bowed respectfully, her voice laced with a mix of fear and detachment.

Samuel was taken aback for a moment.

They hadn't seen each other in four years.

To his surprise, the once haughty little princess, who thought the world of herself, began her first encounter with him with an apology.

He had prepared himself for Raylee's outburst, anticipating her to demand justice as she did four years ago. However, instead of lashing out, she quietly slumped her shoulders, relinquishing the upright posture she once held.

She appeared fearful, which was exactly what he had hoped for four years ago.

Not only had she reached that point, but she had done so with such genuine sincerity.

At that moment, he found himself unable to face it and accept it.

In that brief instant, a wave of melancholy surged from the depths of his heart.

He was like a defeated lion, exiled into a world of solitude, with only the cold and darkness for company.

Samuel took a deep breath and began slowly, “Grandma missed you terribly. Given her advanced age and illness, Mrs. Lorimer specifically signed a letter of forgiveness to secure your early release from prison.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Samuel realized his demeanor wasn't warm enough. He stepped forward, intending to gently embrace Raylee, but she avoided him.

Samuel was momentarily stunned and pondered for a moment. His tone softened even more as he said, “It's all in the past now. I'm still your brother. Come with me.”

Raylee's heart gave a fierce thump.

He's still my brother?

She had been waiting for these words for what felt like an eternity.

When she was first imprisoned, she had waited every single moment for Samuel to come and rescue her. She couldn't believe that her brother, who had cared for her for eighteen years, could be so heartless.

However, the bigger the hope, the greater the disappointment.

From initial hope to subsequent disappointment, and finally to utter despair, reality harshly confirmed that all of this was indeed true.

She no longer had any family.

The path where Samuel came to her rescue had become a dead end in her heart.

So, when the man who claimed to be her brother appeared before her, telling her he was there to take her away, she felt completely numb.

She took a step back and bowed again, her tone indifferent as she said, “Thank you, Mrs. Lorimer, for signing the letter of forgiveness. And thank you, Old Mrs. Goodridge, for keeping me, an ex-convict, in her thoughts.”

She spoke with an attitude of utmost respect.

The warmth that once existed between family members was completely gone.

Samuel, feeling agitated by this profound sense of distance, pinched the bridge of his nose and said with a hint of impatience, “Even though you've spent four years in prison, Dad said you're still the daughter of the Goodridge family. You don't need to dwell too much on your past imprisonment.”

To him, his little sister, whom he had doted on since childhood, was not an ex-convict.

However, to Raylee, his words were like nails on a chalkboard.

Four years of imprisonment had taken its toll.

Every day, she had toiled away in her degrading prison uniform, participating in the prison labor program.

She endured hunger, sickness, and if she made a mistake, the punishment from the prison guards.

The prison bully constantly found new ways to torment her.

Her days in prison were nothing short of a realm of torment, a fate worse than death.

Being the daughter of the Goodridge family seemed to only expose her to even harsher treatment.

Upon seeing the sorrow on Raylee's face, Samuel gently patted her shoulder, his tone softening. “Let's go to the hospital to visit Grandma. We wouldn't want to keep her waiting.”

He then turned and started walking toward the car.

After a while, he glanced back and saw Raylee following at a steady pace, always maintaining a certain distance from him.

What's the matter? Am I a monster?

Does she really need to stay far away from me?

Samuel found himself reminiscing about the times when Raylee would playfully cling to him, intensifying the restless longing in his heart.

He quickened his pace toward his car.

Four years of torment had taught Raylee a harsh lesson. She dared not upset the Goodridge family, fearing she might not be able to bear the consequences.

So, even though the old injury in her calf was causing her excruciating pain, she dared not delay for even a moment.

In her haste, she stumbled and fell, but she quickly picked herself up and continued her pursuit.

When she arrived at the car, Samuel was already inside.

The Goodridge family's driver, Gavin Whitlock, was still the same. As he got out of the car, he greeted her, “Hello, Ms. Goodridge,” and opened the backseat door.

Instead of getting into the backseat, Raylee opened the passenger door and got in.

The driver was somewhat taken aback.

Samuel got out of the car, yanked open the passenger door, and pulled Raylee out.

With a disregard akin to discarding trash, he ruthlessly threw her onto the ground.

“If you find me so displeasing, then don't consider me your brother anymore!”

Raylee bit her lip, and her ankle twisted again, causing her to wince in pain.

Samuel, oblivious to her discomfort, continued to chastise her, “Raylee, I thought you had matured, but it seems you're still so naive. You think sitting in the passenger seat can hurt anyone? It only shows you're hopelessly degrading yourself! How dare you show me attitude? It seems you haven't fully grasped your own status! Don't bother with the car. Just walk home yourself! I'm warning you, when you visit Grandma at the hospital, don't wear such a gloomy expression. I don't want to upset her!”

After he finished speaking, he instructed the driver, “Drive!”

Although Gavin was concerned about Raylee, he didn't dare to defy Samuel and drove off.

Watching the car fade into the distance, Raylee felt no emotion.

She had already tasted the bitterness of abandonment and betrayal four years ago.

It wasn't that she hadn't recognized her own status; it was Samuel who had forgotten that they had forced her back to her original position, yet ironically blamed her for not recognizing her own status.

Clenching her fists, she slowly rose to her feet, knowing she had to catch up quickly or risk angering the Goodridge family.

And she might not be able to bear it any longer.

After she walked a short distance, the car that had left suddenly returned and came to a halt before her.

The window rolled down, and Samuel's eyes, filled with fury, bore into her. “Get in!”

Without uttering a single word, Raylee still took the passenger seat.

Samuel couldn't contain his frustration. “Raylee, you're really something!”

They journeyed in silence for half an hour.

When the car arrived at the hospital, Raylee carefully stepped out.

Her leg was hurting, and she nearly fell as she got out of the car. Suddenly, a figure rushed over and caught her.

It was Harriet, the mother who once loved her the most.

Dressed in a high-end Chanel-style dress with meticulously applied makeup, Waverly closely followed behind.

Compared to her thin appearance four years ago, Waverly had now blossomed into a picture of health and beauty, with red lips and white teeth.

“Ray-Ray, I miss you so much,” Harriet said, her voice filled with emotion.

Raylee gently pushed her away and gave a slight bow. “Hello, Mrs. Goodridge.”

Harriet was taken aback. “Ray-Ray, you...”

Raylee remained silent.

Five days after she was imprisoned four years ago, Alaric had drafted a declaration of disownment in front of the Lorimer family.

They even brought it to the prison for her to sign.

Afterward, she changed her name to Raylee Somers.

Others might not be aware, but Harriet was indeed knowledgeable about this matter.

Perhaps driven by guilt, Harriet's tears abruptly fell. Her voice was gentle and filled with affection as she said, “Ray-Ray, it's all in the past now. Let's not bring up what happened before. You look rather pale. Are you sick?”

Raylee nonchalantly shook her head.

Gently, Waverly consoled, “Mom, Raylee must have had a tough time in prison. Don't be upset. What matters is that she's back home safely.”

Harriet nodded with relief. “Yes, safety is what matters most. Nothing else is important.”

Waverly pulled out a box of pastries from her bag. “Raylee, are you hungry? These are pastries that Casimir gave me. Would you like to try some?”

Her eyes were crystal clear, always revealing a sense of timidity and humility when she looked at Raylee. The sight of her stirred a sense of pity in others.

It was just like it had been four years ago.

However, when she mentioned Casimir Sutherland's name, there was an undeniable hint of pride in her voice.

Casimir was the pain etched in Raylee's heart.

She glanced at Waverly but didn't say a word or accept the pastries.

Confronted with Raylee's indifference, Samuel barked, “Waverly kindly brought you some pastries. Why won't you eat them? Those are her favorite pastries! After spending several years in prison, have you lost even the most basic manners?”

Observing Samuel's visibly irritated demeanor, Harriet shot him a stern look. “You are not allowed to curse at your sister!”

She then gently took hold of Raylee's arm, offering words of comfort. “Ray-Ray, don't take your brother's words to heart. As long as I'm here, no one can bully you.”

Her eyes were bloodshot, filled with genuine guilt and heartache for Raylee.

Numbly, Raylee withdrew her hand and took a step back, maintaining a distance from Harriet.

This scene fueled Samuel's irritation once more. “Raylee, don't push your luck!”

“Samuel, will you ever stop? Your sister just got out of prison. Why on earth are you losing your temper at her?” Harriet scolded.

“Mom, you can't always let her have her way!” Samuel's anger flared up again. He growled at Raylee, “It was one thing for you to show your displeasure to me and Waverly, but why on earth did you have to act that way toward Mom? She's been losing sleep and skipping meals because of you! The Goodridge family treated you like a princess for eighteen years, providing you with everything you needed without you lifting a finger. The Goodridge family owes you nothing! Drop your high and mighty attitude right now, or go back to prison!”

Raylee couldn't help but laugh bitterly in her heart.

No matter what she did, it was always wrong. It felt as if she were a piece of trash, kicked around at their whim, and she wasn't supposed to have any emotions, let alone express them.

Seeing that Raylee remained silent, Harriet was somewhat displeased.

But she still reprimanded Samuel, “Your sister endured hardship for four years. Her mindset hasn't recovered yet. Stop berating her!”

She then softly said to Raylee, “Your grandma knew you were coming home today, and her spirits lifted considerably! Head over to the nearby hotel, get a room, and take a shower. Freshen up and dress nicely before you see her in the hospital. Don't worry, you're still my daughter, and I love you just as much as before.”

Really? Can a shattered mirror ever be made whole again?

Upon hearing these words of affection, Raylee felt no emotion.

She nodded, her face expressionless, and turned to leave.

Arriving at the hotel next to the hospital, she realized she was penniless and couldn't afford a room.

She turned to leave and unexpectedly bumped into a solid figure.

A throbbing pain pulsed in her forehead.

“Ms. Goodridge?” A voice laced with a hint of cold indifference rang out.

Raylee's heart gave a shudder when she heard that familiar voice.

Her already frozen body felt as if it had been torn open, filled with an even more biting cold wind.

Looking up, she saw that familiar and handsome face.

It was Casimir, the son of the Sutherland family, the third most prestigious family in Jexburgh, and her ex-fiancé.

Raylee gave a bow and greeted him expressionlessly, “Hello, Mr. Sutherland.”

Observing her thin clothing and gaunt cheeks, as if she had been seriously ill, Casimir asked, “Ms. Goodridge, did you just get released today?”

“Yes...” Raylee nodded gently.

The air fell silent for a good ten seconds.

Raylee didn't utter another word, which completely threw Casimir for a loop.

She used to be quite the chatterbox, always chattering non-stop in his ear.

He disliked women who talked too much, and although he didn't distance himself from her due to her talkativeness, he would unabashedly show his disdain.

Occasionally, when she thoroughly annoyed him, he would tell her to shut up.

Whenever she noticed he was upset, she would sing to cheer him up.

Her voice was melodious and pleasing to the ears, and she sang beautifully.

However, even after she finished singing, her mouth kept on chattering incessantly.

It had been four years since they last saw each other, yet she had responded with just one word.

Both of them remained silent, creating an especially awkward atmosphere.

Suddenly, Casimir's gaze fell on Raylee's slender legs.

He had seen her limping along moments ago and reckoned she must be injured.

With a cool tone, he said, “Let me get a room for you.”

Raylee shook her head, about to refuse.

Casimir's serious tone interrupted her, “With your leg in such a condition and without money for a room, can you stop pretending to be fine? Your grandmother is still in the hospital. Don't you want to tidy up quickly and go see her?”

Raylee lifted her gaze to look at Casimir.

His eyes were a deep black, and his handsome face emanated an irresistible, commanding presence.

She didn't care about him.

But when she thought of Vera Fanning, her numb heart started to ache.

There was no doubt that Vera had pulled some strings behind the scenes for her early release from prison.

After four years apart, she truly missed her dearly. She yearned to see her immediately.

“Then I must trouble you, Mr. Sutherland,” Raylee responded.

Casimir spent money to book her a room and, with a firm attitude, escorted her to the room.

She followed behind him.

His tall and imposing figure was perfectly straight, and he carried a faint scent of classic cologne that wafted into her nostrils.

Raylee was slightly taken aback.

They hadn't seen each other for four years.

Casimir had shed his youthful innocence and now radiated the aura of a mature man.

Not too long ago, he had made the news while she was still in prison.

Touted as a prodigy in his youth, he had already assumed the position of CEO of Sutherland Group's Aploth-Pacific region at a tender age. His future was boundless and full of promise.

This man, a rare combination of good looks and competence, had once driven Raylee to the brink of wild obsession, so much so that even now, her heart still fluttered uncontrollably when she saw him.

However, he didn't love her.

He didn't love her at all.

Before, she had felt that Casimir was indifferent to everyone, like a stone that couldn't be warmed.

But she firmly believed that as long as she continued to love him, she would eventually warm his heart.

Then Waverly returned.

The look of love for someone couldn't be hidden.

Casimir's gaze upon Waverly was filled with intense passion and doting affection.

Raylee suddenly realized that Casimir wasn't cold by nature; he was just indifferent toward her.

Simply by standing there, doing nothing, Waverly was able to capture his favor.

Harriet could also tell there was mutual affection between Casimir and Waverly.

Within a few months of Waverly's return, Harriet proposed that Raylee should give the engagement with Casimir back to Waverly.

It was an arranged childhood engagement between the Sutherland and Goodridge families, involving the union of their children.

Raylee envied and felt jealous of Waverly, unwilling to break off the engagement.

Despite her stance, Harriet was unwavering. It didn't matter if Raylee was unwilling; there was no room for negotiation.

Four years had passed.

Not long ago, while in prison, Raylee had come across a report stating that Casimir was still a most eligible bachelor.

Is it possible that Casimir and Waverly still haven't gotten married yet?

Raylee felt a pang of sadness in her heart, her emotions a complex mix of feelings.

Whether it was resentment or anticipation didn't matter anymore.

Upon reaching the room's entrance, Casimir pulled out a box of pastries. “I've ordered some food for you. If you're hungry, go ahead and eat these first.”

Raylee's gaze fell upon the pastries.

They were identical to the ones Waverly had given at the hospital earlier.

“I don't really like pastries. Save them for Waverly,” she replied softly, her gaze dimmed.

She didn't need these insincere gestures.

She could never forget the day at the Lorimer family's birthday banquet when she was falsely accused of stealing a necklace.

Casimir had stood protectively in front of Waverly, his eyes filled with resentment as he accused her.

Her father, mother, brother, and the fiancé she loved the most—all of them backed Waverly, pushing her to take the fall.

Perhaps Samuel was right.

She had lived as the wealthy heiress in Waverly's place for eighteen years. What else could she possibly complain about?

Maybe those four years of imprisonment were a form of compensation.

Still, she couldn't shake the overwhelming feeling of injustice.

If one wishes to condemn another, one can always find a reason.

The people who once played significant roles in Raylee's life had each personally pushed her into the abyss.

Just as Casimir was about to speak, still holding the pastries, he suddenly received a phone call and hurriedly left.

In her hotel room, Raylee took a bath.

As she looked at the haphazard scars on her body, her eyes stung intensely.

These scars were the humiliations she had endured during her four-year imprisonment.

Even though she had regained her freedom, it felt as if a brand had been etched onto her, haunting her like a shadow for the rest of her life.

After blow-drying her hair, she seemed a bit more spirited.

Since she didn't have any new clothes, she had no choice but to continue wearing her old, worn-out sweater. She then put on gloves to hide her chilblains and blisters.

In the inpatient building, Raylee asked the nurse for directions and eventually found her way to the operating room.

At that moment, the members of the Goodridge family were anxiously waiting outside.

Vera, who had been lying in the hospital room, had suddenly fallen ill and was rushed off for emergency surgery.

Raylee watched as the red light above the operating room flickered on. Her long eyelashes trembled, and her heart was overwhelmed by a profound sense of suffocation.

Vera was the person who loved her most in this world. She wouldn't know what to do if something happened to her.

As Raylee approached, Waverly casually flicked her wrist, drawing attention to the bracelet she wore.

“Raylee, Grandma gave this to you before she went into surgery, but I really like it. Could you...”

Raylee glanced at the emerald bracelet and remained silent.

Her thoughts drifted back to four years ago when Waverly had a habit of taking things away from her.

She had seized her room, clothes, bags, shoes, and even her beloved pet cat, which tragically didn't survive her cruel games.

Back then, she had been consumed with anger.

But now, she didn't care anymore.

Everything in the Goodridge residence—every blade of grass, tree, brick, and tile—belonged to Waverly, the legitimate daughter.

And she was merely a pretend daughter, an outsider who had enjoyed the privileges of a true daughter for eighteen years.

Waverly displayed a disheartened expression. “If you're not willing to give it to me, then I'll just give it back to you.”

Upon witnessing this scene, Samuel stepped in, reprimanding, “Enough, Raylee. It's just a bracelet. Can't you give it to Waverly? If you want one, I can go back and buy you another eight or ten!”

Raylee quietly took a seat on the chair.

She hadn't said a word or done anything wrong, yet simply standing there seemed to be a mistake.

Perhaps she was the original sin herself.

“Samuel, I really love this bracelet. Why didn't Grandma give it to me? Is it because she doesn't like me?”

Tears clung to Waverly's curled lashes as she looked pitifully at Samuel.

Samuel, as if he'd lost his mind, abruptly pulled Raylee up and scolded her angrily, “How could you be so petty to fight with Waverly over a bracelet? And you're pulling a long face? Raylee, do you think that just because you have Grandma's protection, I can't do anything to you?”

“I—”

Before Raylee could utter a word, Samuel had already pulled her along into the operating room.

“Grandma is in there, undergoing surgery, and her fate is hanging in the balance. And yet here you are, upset with Waverly over a mere bracelet! Can't you be a little less worrisome? Do you want to get her killed?”

Raylee's leg, already in a delicate condition, throbbed with intense pain as Samuel roughly dragged her, causing her to gasp for air.

In a moment of instability, she fell flat on the ground.

Returning from the restroom, Harriet witnessed the scene.

She hurried over to help Raylee up while berating Samuel, “Why are you picking on your sister again?”

Samuel gritted his teeth in frustration.

“Mom, she bullied Waverly! She knows Grandma is having surgery, yet she didn't stop and even made Waverly cry!” Samuel protested. “Grandma can't handle the shock. If she were to come out and see this, she'd probably get so upset she'd need another surgery!”

Harriet looked at the teary-eyed Waverly.

Upon learning the details of the situation, she couldn't help but criticize Raylee, “Ray-Ray, don't blame me for saying this, but you really shouldn't have argued with your sister. Your grandma's health has been quite poor these past couple of years; she can't handle even the slightest bit of stress. Why don't you let Wavy have the bracelet?”

Raylee, her face devoid of any emotion, responded, “I never said I was unwilling to give it to her.”

Harriet frowned. “Then why did your brother lose his temper? And why is Wavy crying? All right, it doesn't matter who's right or wrong. It's just a bracelet. I will get you another one later.”

Raylee gave a nod.

She fell silent, knowing that anything she said would be wrong.

Moments ago, Samuel had yanked her harshly, causing her to take a nasty fall. The pain in her leg was so intense that she could barely stand.

With her sudden release from jail and not having eaten a thing, she was worn and frail, her body pushed to its absolute limits.

Her thin frame and sickly yellow complexion made her look as though she were suffering from a terminal illness.

Everything went dark before her eyes, and a wave of intense dizziness washed over her, causing her to collapse onto the ground.

Samuel sneered. “So you've stopped snatching the bracelet now and started playing the victim? Hurry up and get moving! Stop acting like you're dead. If Grandma sees you like this and gets upset, you're going to be in trouble!”

Raylee cocked her head and completely passed out.

An indeterminate amount of time had passed before she woke up in a hospital bed.

Harriet's sobs were notably distinct in the air.

Glancing down, Raylee noticed she was wearing a hospital gown.

They had seen the scars on her body.

Harriet came over and gently took her hand, crying out, “Ray-Ray, why do your hands have so many chilblains and blisters? And why are there countless scars all over your body? The doctor mentioned there were signs of being hit with a rod, whipped, and even burns from cigarette butts...”

Samuel came over and patted Harriet's shoulder, consoling her with a heavy tone, “Mom, don't be too upset.”

He couldn't fathom what exactly Raylee had gone through.

A powerful wave of guilt washed over him, making him unable to even glance at her.

He couldn't even say an apology out loud.

Harriet wiped her tears and said, “I thought you were just in prison for four years, simply undergoing a prison labor program. I never imagined you'd endure so much hardship. Who could be so cruel as to hurt you like this?”

Waverly's eyes were notably red as she stood by the hospital bed.

“Raylee, I'm so upset. Your pain is my pain. What on earth have you been through?”

Raylee looked up at Waverly, who was speaking sarcastically.

Your pain is my pain? What a good actress she is.

A surge of anger welled up within her. Calmly, she began, “What have I been through? Let me tell you. Not a single day in prison went by without me being bullied. Of course, why did I have to steal the necklace of the eldest daughter of the Lorimer family, thus offending the big shots? Chilblains, blisters, getting my hair yanked, punched, kicked, burned with cigarette butts, doused with boiling water, slapped—those were child's play. A toothpick pierced my left ear, rupturing my eardrum and leaving me nearly deaf. They used iron rods with nails, puncturing holes all over my legs, each one oozing blood. I've been through it all—the water dungeon, solitary confinement, even electric torture.”

Waverly's eyes widened in shock as she looked at Raylee aggrievedly.

Tears began to fall like pearls off a broken string, and she cried so hard that she could barely catch her breath.

So unstable that she couldn't even stand properly, Waverly collapsed into Samuel's arms.

“Why are you crying? You're not the one who spent four years in prison,” Raylee remarked, observing the individuals in the room, each immersed in their own sorrow, some even reduced to tears.

She could only sense the irony.

“I'm sorry, Raylee. It's all my fault...” Waverly sobbed like a child as if she had suffered a great injustice.

Originally, Samuel had a soft spot for Raylee, but when he witnessed Waverly's evident distress, the tender affection he held for Raylee significantly diminished.

At that moment, he was like a lion protecting its cub, his entire being bristling with tension as he defended Waverly.

“Why are you blaming her? Your injury wasn't even caused by Waverly. You're being unreasonable!”

“She's not being unreasonable!”

Suddenly, a magnetic voice echoed from the entrance of the ward.

Casimir was standing at the door.

He had heard everything that had transpired in the ward earlier, including all that Raylee had endured during her four-year imprisonment.

“Casimir? How come you're here?” Samuel asked in surprise.

“Casimir was the one who paid for my hotel room,” Raylee stated nonchalantly.

“You guys...” Samuel's voice trembled with frustration. “Casimir, you're engaged to Waverly now. Isn't it inappropriate to be so close with other women?”

“Did you get your priorities wrong?” Casimir's eyebrows knitted together in frustration. “Ms. Goodridge just got out of prison. Did any of you ask if she's hungry or if she has eaten? And she looks so unwell. Did any of you think to arrange a medical check-up for her right away?”

Samuel fell into deep contemplation, letting out a heavy sigh after a moment. “I was too careless...”

Raylee let out a bitter laugh.

Her gaze at Casimir held neither gratitude nor resentment.

Ironically, after she was released from prison, it was not her so-called family who cared about her the most.

It was him, her once greatest love, yet he was also her fiancé who had deeply wounded her.

Harriet dabbed at her tears with a tissue, her heart aching as she said, “Samuel, quickly order some food for your sister.”

Realizing his oversight, Samuel nodded quickly and hastily pulled out his phone to select a nutritious meal.

Perhaps it was out of a sense of guilt that he chose the upscale restaurant with the hefty price tag.

“I've ordered the meal,” he said softly. “I paid extra for rush delivery; it should be here within half an hour.”

“Thank you, Mr. Goodridge,” Raylee said with an aloof tone.

Samuel was momentarily stunned.

Since her release from prison today, she hadn't called him by his name even once.

Her demeanor was so distant that even a stranger would have seemed warmer.

A surge of anger welled up in his heart.

He strode over to Raylee abruptly, a cold, harsh light flashing across his eyes as he demanded, “Are you sure the injuries on your body are really from your time in prison? Water dungeon and electric torture? You were just imprisoned, not sent to some harsh frontier! In a society governed by law, I refuse to believe that anyone could subject you to torture or forced confessions!”

“Mr. Goodridge, what are you implying?” Raylee grimaced. “Do you think I inflicted these wounds on myself? Did you know I spent the first three years in District Nine Prison? It wasn't until last year that I was transferred back to Jexburgh Women's Prison.”

The words “District Nine Prison” hung in the air, causing the hospital room to fall eerily silent in an instant.

The prison was constructed on an island, surrounded by the vast, endless ocean. It was a gloomy, frightening place that housed only the most dangerous and evil criminals.

The management system was incredibly strict.

Prisoners had no freedom, and their food and drink were austere. If they made a mistake, they faced harsh and horrifying punishments.

It was known as one of the most terrifying prisons in the world.

Just hearing the name of this prison conjured images of the deepest depths of hell.

It was no different from going to some harsh frontier.

Surprisingly, Raylee had been confined inside for three years.

“Judging by your reactions, you're no strangers to District Nine Prison. Do you need me to elaborate on my time there? I assure you, it's a tale so captivating you'd remember it for a lifetime,” Raylee said, her face devoid of expression, her eyes vacant as if her soul had departed. She seemed to be discussing matters of no consequence. “On my first day there, they drove a long iron spike into my fingertip. I screamed in madness. When they pulled it out, blood splattered everywhere. The pain was so intense I passed out. They revived me by splashing water on my face. Eventually, both my hands were filled with thick, long iron spikes. The next day, they lashed me with whips soaked in chili water. My entire body was battered and bruised, a bloody mess. On the tenth day, they threw me into a water dungeon. The filthy water was teeming with leeches, rats, and all sorts of revolting creatures. They gnawed at my entire body, the pain so intense I couldn't even muster the strength to cry out for help.”

“All right, that's enough!” Samuel couldn't take it anymore and immediately called for a halt.

Waverly was trembling with fear, her hands covering her ears.

Raylee abruptly lifted her head, casting a cold, dark gaze toward them.

“What, you can't even handle hearing about it? Then how do you think I, the one who actually lived through it, managed?”

“Why didn't you tell us you went to District Nine Prison? We had no idea!”

“Why didn't I speak up, you ask?” Raylee let out a sarcastic laugh. “Do you really think I could reach out to the outside world? The one and only time I asked the prison guard to borrow a phone, can you guess what happened? They hung me up and beat me senseless all night!”

Samuel's face turned ashen as if he'd been severely startled.

Raylee continued, “Maybe fate didn't deem it my time to die, allowing me to return alive from District Nine Prison to Jexburgh. Even so, I wasn't spared from the prison bully. Every day I returned, I spent in the throes of her torment. After hearing all this, Mr. Goodridge, aren't you relieved? Aren't you glad it was me who ended up in prison instead of your dear sister, Waverly?”

Samuel clenched his fists tightly, his eyes as dim as the darkness of the end of the world.

Worry etched wrinkles on his handsome face, even rejuvenating his consciousness.

His mouth opened slightly. He wanted to voice his concerns, but whatever he said now would seem like he was complaining without cause, so he hesitated to speak further.

“Ray-Ray, you've suffered so much...” Harriet's voice was choked with emotion as she struggled to speak.

Every word Raylee uttered pierced Harriet like a blade, causing her immense pain and throwing her into utter chaos.

“Mrs. Goodridge, I deserve this hardship. After all, didn't I enjoy eighteen years of blessings in the Goodridge family?” Raylee said calmly.

The more she maintained this nonchalant attitude, like an outsider, the more it tugged at everyone's heartstrings.

Harriet sobbed uncontrollably. “I'm so sorry. I will make it up to you in the future.”

“If you want to make it up to someone, Mrs. Goodridge, it should be to Waverly. After all, she is your biological daughter whom you lost for eighteen years.”

Unable to hold back, Samuel scolded, “Raylee, can't you see how remorseful Mom is toward you? Must you speak with such a sarcastic tone?”

He genuinely felt for what Raylee had gone through these past years, but his anger at that moment was just as real.

His expression was stern as he continued, “Regardless, all of that is in the past. You're out of prison now. Can't you let bygones be bygones and live a good life with us? Do you really have to make a scene and make everyone unhappy before you're satisfied? You're treating us like we're beneath your notice.”

Let bygones be bygones?

Just four simple words, and he thought they could erase my four years of hellish existence?

He's never experienced my hardships, yet he's judging me.

They're clearly the offenders, but they still have the audacity to take the moral high ground.

Raylee felt like cursing them, but when the words reached her lips, she didn't want to utter a single one.

Casimir's emotions took a long time to settle.

Listening to Raylee describe her grim life in prison, even if he wasn't her ex-fiancé, even if he was just a stranger, he would still feel distressed for her.

He couldn't help but speak up for her. “Samuel, I didn't see Raylee making a scene at all. She was just telling it like it is! As her brother, you didn't comfort her and even scolded her. Isn't that just unacceptable?”

Fury surged from the depths of Samuel's heart. “Casimir, I noticed something off about you today. In front of Waverly, you were constantly defending Raylee. If anyone's not up to the mark, it's you, her supposed fiancé!”

He then turned to look at Raylee with a disdainful gaze.

“You're quite crafty, aren't you? On your very first day out of prison, you managed to catch Casimir's attention. I noticed you seem to have trouble walking. Were you playing up your hardships to gain his sympathy? You even got him to book a room for you? With just the two of you in a room, did anything unspeakable happen?”

Annoyed, Raylee lashed out at him, “Mr. Goodridge, your mind is tainted, so don't project your filth onto everything else! Didn't you all ask me to tidy up myself before coming to see Grandma, and if I may ask, did anyone pay me for it? If it weren't for Casimir lending me the money, how could I have afforded a room? Yes, I do have trouble walking. Wasn't my leg disability mentioned in the medical report? I had just been released from prison today, and yet, you violently dragged me out of the car, causing me injuries. Have you forgotten the harm you've caused me, Mr. Goodridge? True, you've already found your biological sister, so why would you care about an outsider like me?”

Raylee vented her pent-up resentment.

She had already been released from prison. There was no reason for her to be subjected to torment again.

“Raylee, I'll apologize on Samuel's behalf.” Waverly choked up as she bowed deeply. “Could you please not be mad at him? It wasn't his intention. Blame me if you must. I shouldn't have come back to this home.”

Her gentle, obedient demeanor almost melted Samuel's heart.

He immediately patted her back, gently comforting her.

“Waverly, it's not about you. She's just trying to stir up trouble. Don't take her words to heart. I forgot to warn you, Raylee is quite the actress. She has a knack for exaggerating her words and adding fuel to the fire. As for her past experiences, take them with a grain of salt. I lived with her for eighteen years; I know her better than anyone else!”

Harriet stopped crying and came over to comfort Waverly. “Listen to your brother. This matter doesn't concern you, so there's no need to blame yourself.”

The implication was clear. She took Samuel's words as the truth and dismissed Raylee's as a mix of truth and falsehood.

Raylee observed the heartwarming scene of their family and suddenly found herself laughing in disbelief.

I'm quite the actress and have a knack for exaggerating my words?

They are the so-called family members who have completely disregarded my struggles for four long years in the jaws of death.

They won't let me defend myself and always assume the worst of me with the utmost malice.

Every additional second she lingered, Raylee felt as if she was betraying the hard-won freedom she had regained.

“Sorry, I'm heading back to the hotel to rest. Once Grandma wakes up, I'll come to see her again,” Raylee said calmly as she bowed and exited the ward.

Determined to get out of bed, she slowly left the ward, her disabled legs slightly uneven.

Her body swayed with each step, making every movement seem extraordinarily difficult.

Harriet couldn't help but cover her mouth, breaking into sobs.

When she was about to chase after Raylee, Samuel stopped her. “Mom, let me go.”

Raylee had just returned to the hotel and lay down when there was a knock at the door.

A familiar voice echoed through the door. “Ms. Goodridge, it's me, Casimir.”

After a moment of hesitation, Raylee opened the door.

Casimir was holding two large bags, intending to enter the room.

Raylee stopped him, her tone indifferent as she said, “Mr. Sutherland, this might not be very convenient.”

If the Goodridge family found out, they would undoubtedly harbor suspicions. They would wonder if the two of them, alone and unchaperoned, were up to no good in the room.

She could easily ignore idle chatter, but she couldn't allow those who had hurt her in the past to find any leverage to keep inflicting endless pain on her.

Casimir was taken aback for a moment.

Looking at Raylee's petite face, devoid of any expression, he felt an inexplicable irritation stirring within him.

She had been calling him “Mr. Sutherland” throughout the day.

Once upon a time, there was someone who used to chatter non-stop around him, always expressing her fondness for him.

The cheerful little girl who loved to call him “Caz” seemed to have vanished from this world.

The Raylee of the present seemed so unfamiliar as if she had exchanged her soul, so unfamiliar that he couldn't recognize her.

“All right then, I've bought some medicine and food for you.”

Casimir was about to hand over the items in his hands to Raylee when a figure approached briskly.

It was Samuel.

He was surprised when he saw Casimir. “What are you doing here?”

“I just came to drop off some things for your sister, then I'll leave.”

“Since she's my sister, there's no need for you to worry.”

Samuel's contemptuous gaze swept over Casimir's face, subtly implying that his interest was not genuine.

He then turned his gaze toward Raylee and reprimanded, “Didn't I tell you before that Casimir is now Waverly's fiancé? How come you seem to have no sense of boundaries? Or could it be that after spending four years in prison, you harbored resentment and purposely cozied up to Casimir just to upset Waverly? You're a scheming b*tch!”

Raylee's face flushed red with anger. She was caught off guard by the sudden scolding.

She glared at Samuel, wishing she could bore a hole through his face with her stare, and snapped, “Mr. Goodridge, are you afraid others won't realize you're acting like a jerk?”

Samuel was furious. “How dare you call me a jerk?”

Casimir stepped in to defend Raylee. “Enough, Samuel! Ms. Goodridge didn't intentionally cozy up to me. Please, stop attacking her with such venomous words!”

Raylee turned her anger toward Casimir. “Shut up, I don't need your hypocritical defense! You two are as bad as each other. Neither of you is worth a dime!”

Samuel was dumbfounded.

Not only did Raylee not play the victim to gain Casimir's sympathy, she even dared to confront him harshly.

“Get out! All of you, get out!” In a fit of rage, Raylee slammed the door shut.

Both men were left outside the room, stunned.

Samuel knocked on the door repeatedly, but Raylee didn't open it, nearly causing him to explode with frustration.

Slightly exasperated, Casimir said, “Let's go. If I were in your sister's shoes, I'd be angry too. If you can't say anything nice, just stay silent. No one will think you're mute.”

Samuel glared at him and sarcastically remarked, “Casimir, how did you happen to run into Raylee at the hotel and even pay for her room? This so-called chance encounter was riddled with flaws! On my way back from the prison, I saw a familiar car. It must have been yours. You were already planning to pick her up from the prison, weren't you?”

Casimir didn't deny it.

Visibly agitated, Samuel demanded, “Do you have feelings for her?”

Casimir remained silent.

Enraged, Samuel grabbed him by the collar and shouted, “You're looking for the next best thing, aren't you? You're such a scoundrel! How could you do this to Waverly?”

“Raylee is your sister too, but you're completely biased! If you don't care for Raylee, does that mean no one else is allowed to?”

“What good does it do to care for her? Did she even spare you a glance? Did she accept the things you buy for her?” Samuel said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Four years ago, you mistreated her. Did you really think she would forgive you so easily? Don't be naive!”

“She will never forgive me, let alone you. We all wronged her four years ago, but you were the worst!” Casimir growled in frustration. “She endured four years of hardship in prison, and not only did you ignore her, but you also declared that Raylee was no longer part of the Goodridge family! Most of the pain she endured was because of you!”