Chapter 177
Fire sparked in Kaitlynâs dark brown eyes.
She had hated this woman from the very beginning.
So many people loved her, which Kaitlyn saw as unfair.
That woman had no particular skills or talents. She wasnât deserving of anyoneâs love.
She was just the youngest daughter of a wealthy, influential family, raised delicately with all the affection in the world, married to a husband who adored her, and surrounded by friends like the Saintess and the Crown Prince who treated her as a treasure.
Aside from nearly dying once in place of the Saintess, there was no hardship in the life of âAdeline Bertrandâ.
She lacked the suffering that everyone should experience.
She had protective brothers who would threaten anyone who dared speak ill of their cherished younger sister.
A husband who wouldnât be swayed, no matter how she tried to tempt him.
Friends who shielded her from public scrutiny, literally becoming walls around her.
People who covered her ears, keeping her ignorant of anyone who might hate her to spare her even the slightest hurt.
She lived surrounded by a cocoon of soft petals, in beauty and privilege.
Princess Mia had been the same.
Despite her lack of skills, the royal family doted on her, protecting her from anything harsh or uncomfortable, as if her happiness alone was all that mattered.
For the longest time, Kaitlyn had scorned Princess Mia, but deep down, she was actually envious of her.
It was something she didnât want to admit.
She had suppressed that envy because she took pride in being different from Mia. Unlike her, Kaitlyn believed she had earned her place through her own abilities.
I achieved this through my own power. I am smarter than youâŚ
But in the end, who had truly been clueless?
The gaze of the woman with proud, hazel eyes, looking down as if she were something filthy, overlapped with those of green eyes full of contempt.
Kaitlyn slapped Adelineâs cheekâhard.
Adeline fell to the floor, but Kaitlyn didnât stop there. She kicked and stomped on her without mercy.
âLady Adeline! Stop! I said stop!â
Sheâs going to die, sheâll die if this keeps upâŚ
Despite her arm being painfully crushed by the sailor holding her down, Genevieve twisted her body and struck him hard in the face, finally breaking free.
As Genevieve scrambled out from under him, Kaitlyn shouted in a rage.
âGrab her, Harrison!â
âDonât touch me!â
Harrison, who had been moving to obey, froze at Genevieveâs fierce command. Taking advantage of the moment, Genevieve charged at her former husband like a bull.
Harrison barely resisted her initial push, but he couldnât withstand the force when she shoved him with all her might, sending him crashing against the wall.
Without even glancing at Harrison, who had hit the wall, Genevieve knelt down to cradle Adeline.
Adelineâs face was bruised and bloodied from the relentless blows. If all she had wanted was to buy time, it would have been better if Adeline hadnât fought so fiercely.
If sheâd merely pretended to comply with Kaitlynâs demand to kill Genevieve, she wouldnât have had to endure such a beating.
But Adeline had resisted with everything she had, as if there were no way she could harm Genevieve. Genevieve would rather take the injuries herself.
Even if Adeline had raised a weapon against her, Genevieve wouldnât have doubted her intentions. She wouldnât have been hurt emotionally.
âLady Adeline, Lady Adeline! Oh no⌠please, stay with me!â
Genevieveâs hands trembled as she poured her divine power into her.
Barely conscious, Adeline felt the pain quickly fading, marveling at the sensation, and held Genevieveâs hand. Tears fell from Genevieveâs eyes, landing on Adelineâs cheek.
