Chapter 50 The next morning , I was awakened by loud noises coming from outside . Still groggy and confused , I sat up just as a servant knocked on my door . " " Miss , Mr. Herbert has invited a circus to perform . He asked me to tell you to come downstairs and watch . " I straightened my clothes , feeling a wave of disbelief . Did he really think a circus performance could make up for everything that had happened ? Besides , I had never liked circuses . It was always Adeline who loved these kinds of spectacles , not me . " I opened my mouth to refuse , but the door swung open again before I could speak . Adeline entered , her arm wrapped intimately around Brian's . A sweet , fake smile bloomed on her face . She hurried over to me , grasping my hand as if we were the closest of sisters . \ Her voice turned soft and coaxing as she said , " Lilian , come on , just go . Brian's been planning this for a long time to make you happy . If you don't go , he'll be sad . " Brian stood behind her , watching me closely with a faint glimmer of anticipation in his eyes . " Let's just go take a look , alright ? " " The two of them were perfectly in sync , like they were performing a well - rehearsed duet . I felt as if a heavy stone was pressing down on my chest , suffocating me . But with Adeline tugging at me and Brian's eyes fixed on me , I had no choice but to follow . I was dragged downstairs like a prisoner . IM in the yard , a makeshift stage had been set up . A fire - breather was performing , sending blazing orange - red flames shooting high into the air . The heat was so intense that it burned my face from where I stood . " As the performance continued , Adeline clung tightly to Brian's arm . She was whispering to him and laughing softly . Meanwhile , Brian gently wiped sweat from her forehead and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear . Their affectionate gestures were so natural , like a real couple deeply in love . " I stood off to the side , completely forgotten . Just a silent observer . Suddenly , Brian's phone rang . He leaned close to Adeline , murmured something to her and then walked toward a corner to take the call . Meanwhile , I couldn't help but stare at the raging flames . There was an uneasy feeling creeping over me . My instincts t to happen . screamed that something terrible was about And then I met Adeline's gaze . The sweet , sisterly smile she had worn moments ago had vanished . In its place was a strange , twisted smirk that sent chills racing down my spine . " Before I could react , she lunged forward , grabbed my arm with a grip like iron and shoved me toward the flames behind the safety line . " Ah ! " I screamed as I struggled desperately to pull free , but her strength was terrifying . " The searing heat rushed against my skin as the flames leapt closer , scorching me . Then , Adeline let go of me in a single motion . And with a loud , pitiful cry , she flung herself even closer to the fire . } " Help me ! Brian ! " she screamed . " Brian's head snapped up the instant he heard her voice . He dropped his phone without hesitation and charged through the cordon like a madman . In one swift move , he scooped Adeline into his arms and stumbled back to safety . After Brian managed to keep his balance , his face turned grim . He then turned to me as he looked at me with his eyes blazing with fury . Without warning , his hand struck my cheek with a sharp crack . He shouted at me , gritting his teeth , " Why did you push Adeline ? Do you want to kill her ? " My ears rang , my whole body stunned . I stared at him , utterly bewildered , unable to comprehend what had just happened . Brian didn't wait for an answer . His expression twisted with fury as he shoved me hard . 1 lost my balance and fell backward , hitting the ground . My shoulder brushed against the edge of the spreading flames . Immediately , I shouted . ! The sound made Brian freeze . He looked down at me lying on the ground . For a brief second , a flicker of heartache flashed in his cold eyes . she more seriously hurt than I am . Take her to However , Adeline clutched his chest as she weakly said , " Brian , Lilian the hospital first ... " Without further ado , Brian glanced at me with visible disgust . He then looked back at the fragile woman in his arms . His voice was cold , commanding as he ordered his bodyguards , " Take her too . We're going to the hospital !" Then , he carried Adeline to the car like she was the most precious thing in the world without even glancing back at me . Meanwhile , I was lying on the ground . The pain in my shoulder became more unbearable . My vision blurred slowly . Just as the bodyguards rushed to lift me , everything went black . p p .