Chapter 5
Camila’s life was ruined, and only then did Harry think to care about her academically.
She thought. How ironic. She had spent ten years working tirelessly, hoping to change her fate. Just as her efforts were about to pay off, they were crushed by the weight of power.
With one careless remark from the Jackson family, her fate was sealed, and in an instant, she was cast into the deepest pits of hell.
She could have had a bright future. Her family background had never been as strong as others‘, but the one thing she could count on was her extraordinary effort and dedication to her studies.
Her dream was to attend a top university, then pursue graduate studies and a PhD.
She wanted to become a professor and stand in front of a classroom, using her knowledge and experience to change the lives of people like herself. But reality slapped her hard in the face.
She didn’t become the person she wanted to be. Instead, she became a convict despised by society, a stain that would forever remain on her record.
As she thought about this, Camila’s hands tightened into fists, her nails digging into her palms without her even noticing.
“Sancho High School, Camila said softly, her voice almost gentle.
But those words–Sancho High School–weighed heavily, like a thousand–pound stone, pressing down so hard that Arthur, Belinda, and Harry could hardly breathe.
Sancho High School was the most prestigious high school in Sancho, with the highest entrance scores. Unlike Peroz High School, which admitted anyone with money, Sancho High School only cared about scores, not wealth.
The fact that Camila had been able to maintain the top spot in her grade year after year proved that she was one of the best of the best. With her academic record, getting into to top universities was a foregone conclusion.
“Impossible, you’re lying. Harry said, his voice trembling slightly. “Sancho High School is in the suburbs, over 30 miles from here. Back then, you used to ride that old bicycle every day…”
Halfway through his sentence, Harry froze, suddenly realizing something, and couldn’t bring himself to say any more.
Seeing his face turn pale, Camila couldn’t help but smirk, her expression filled with disdain. Td rather ride a bicycle than go to school with Agnes, because we weren’t even at the same school.
“I never ate breakfast with you because Sancho High School had early self–study at 6 AM. I had to wake up at 4 AM and ride my bike for two hours just to get to school.
“I never came home for lunch, because the time between school and lunch wasn’t enough for me to ride back. I didn’t have money to eat, so I had to drink more water just to make it through the day..
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“By the time I got home, you’d already eaten, and I was stuck eating leftovers. And then you’d say I was born unlucky, that I always ate the leftovers like I was a beggar, wolfing it down like I hadn’t eaten in days…”
“Camila, I’m so sorry.” Belinda cried, her tears flowing freely. “I didn’t know you were suffering so much. It’s all my fault.”
“You didn’t owe me anything.” Camila said, watching Belinda cry. Her own heart was as still as water. “I grew up without you. I understand that you don’t have any feelings for me.
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got used to it long ago. No matter how tough things were, I never felt sorry for myself. Mrs. Jackson, don’t you agree?”
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As she heard this, Belinda’s sobs caught in her throat.
“Camila, I’m begging you. You’re stronger than Agnes, you can endure more. You took care of yourself in the orphanage, so 1 believe you’ll get used to prison, too. Please, just take the fall for Agnes,” Belinda had once said to Camila.
The memories buried for five years suddenly came flooding back. Belinda was deeply shaken, clutching her chest as though she might faint at any moment.
Camila watched Belinda, who looked like she might collapse, and felt nothing but contempt.
When Agnes pushed Emily down the stairs, there was surveillance footage. But as soon as it happened, Belinda deleted the footage that could have proven Camila’s innocence, which led to her being unable to defend herself in court.
“That’s enough!” Harry snapped coldly. “Stop with the sarcasm. Yes, we overlooked you, but don’t you have any responsibility in this? You were jealous of Agnes’s life, so you deliberately bullied her as a way to get back at us.
“You’re bitter, unlikable, and instead of looking at your own faults, you choose to blame us.”
“Harry, don’t talk about your sister like that, Belinda sobbed.
“Mom, you’re still defending her? She’s been getting worse because of how we’ve tried to make up for her. She wouldn’t have done what she did otherwise.
“She pushed Emily down the stairs, causing her to fall into a vegetative state, and framed Agnes for it. We sent her to prison. for five years, and now she’s holding a grudge, making a scene in front of all the guests.”
Belinda hesitated, guilt flickering in her eyes. She quickly looked at Camila, who was watching her with a knowing, almost mocking smile. Belinda’s heart skipped a beat, and she couldn’t meet Camila’s gaze, looking away in shame.
“Alright, enough of this,” Arthur said, frowning slightly and speaking with authority. “Camila, why didn’t you let us know you were coming home? If we had known, we would’ve prepared a dress for you.”
Camila froze. “You didn’t know I was released today?”
“Of course not. If we had known, I would’ve had the driver pick you up. How did you get here?”
Camila turned her cold, piercing gaze on Harry, “I came in Mr. Jackson’s car, because he said you were throwing a welcome- home banquet for me.”
“A welcome–home banquet? Isn’t today Agnes’s birthday party?”
“Yes, the invitation I got said it was Agnes’s birthday celebration. When did it turn into a welcome–home banquet?”
“You want us to give a welcome–home banquet for a convict? Is this a joke?”
People around them started whispering in hushed tones.
Harry’s face flushed with embarrassment. He opened his mouth to explain, but after stammering for a while, no words came
Camila couldn’t help but feel a bitter laugh rising inside her. The joke was on her.
Arthur and Belinda had only remembered that today was Agnes’s birthday. They hadn’t even thought about the fact that it was also the day Camila was released from prison.
As for the so–called “welcome–home banquet Harry mentioned, it was just a coincidence–she had ended up tagging along with Agnes’s birthday celebration,
A wave of bitterness spread in her chest. She thought, ‘What have I even been expecting? Camila no longer wanted to play
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Chapter 5
these games with the Jackson family and turned to leave.
Suddenly, a figure in white rushed toward her. Camila tried to avoid her, but her injured leg made it impossible.
The person collided with her, and the force of the impact sent Camila crashing to the ground. Pain shot through her elbow and leg. Her brow furrowed as her pale face grew even more colorless
As the pain subsided, she looked up to see Arthur, Belinda, and Harry surrounding a young woman in a white feathered haute couture gown, showering her with concern.
“Agnes, are you okay? Does it hurt? Are you hurt anywhere?”
Agnes’s eyes welled up with tears, her face red from crying, looking utterly pitiful. “Dad, Mom, Harry, it hurts so much.”
Immediately, the Jackson family rushed to her side, checking her over frantically. “Agnes, where does it hurt? Did Camila hurt you when she bumped into you?”
Without thinking, Harry turned on Camila, shouting, “Can’t you watch where you’re going?”
