Chapter 4: Grace received a slap, her head gently tilting to the side, her eyes devoid of light. Alice, quick to stand by Carmen, reassured her, "Mom, I'm truly fine. There's only a million dollars linked to my card. I was worried that if I gave her too much, she would continue spending recklessly as before, so I kept the funds limited in that account." A sharp pain seared Grace's throat. Abruptly, she flung open the door of a nearby taxi.

"Please take me to..." Her mind drew a blank-no destination came to mind. Through the car window, she observed the four of them entering the house together. The taxi driver glanced at her and sighed. "Are they your family or your foes? You didn't utter a word, and they simply struck you. Forget about the fare. Simply go." Grace's pent-up tears finally spilled over. She longed to ask the same question-were they truly her family or her adversaries? Not far off, Alice gripped Yancey's hand.

A glimmer of triumph flickered in her eyes. "Mom, Yancey, do you think Grace genuinely lost her memory? Perhaps we should invite her back in," pondered Alice. Carmen's countenance darkened. The mere mention of Grace filled her with revulsion. "If she truly suffered from amnesia, she wouldn't have found her way here!" Turning to Yancey, Carmen urged, "Yancey, you should terminate the engagement with her promptly. Spare Alice any more suffering.

As her mother, I cannot bear to see her endure more pain." "Don't worry, Mrs. Lambert. I will care for Alice for eternity." As for Grace? While they had grown up together, he had long wearied of her. Moreover, when Grace and Alice had ventured out years ago, it was Alice who had been abducted. Upon Alice's recovery five years ago, the truth emerged-Alice had shielded Grace and instructed her to seek help. Grace had fled, leaving her own sister behind. She had been corrupt from the outset.

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After Alice was rescued, Grace tormented her incessantly, convinced that Alice had usurped her position in the family. Each time Yancey defended Alice, Grace erupted in fury. Her current predicament-she had brought it upon herself. Grace sat alone by the roadside, clad in her hospital gown, appearing frail and feeble. A car pulled up beside her. "Grace?" a young woman's voice called out. Though Grace found the face familiar, she couldn't recall the identity. "What's this?

Another spat with Yancey? Next time you flee, at least change clothes." "Who are you?" Grace inquired. Joanne Sylvester facepalmed and unlocked the passenger door. "Just get in. People tire of your repeated antics. Why you idolize Yancey is beyond me." Grace entered the car in silence. Joanne drove them back to her residence. "Stay here tonight. It's futile. You'll likely return to him come morning." Grace followed Joanne inside, exchanging her shoes for slippers at the doorway.

The place felt familiar; perhaps this person was a friend. Sitting on the couch, Grace accepted a glass of warm water from Joanne, feeling a touch of warmth return to her body. Joanne yawned wearily, "I'll shower. You can rest in the usual room. And in the morning, remember to collect your forgotten clothes." She muttered, "I wish you'd stand firm and not rush back to Yancey. Every time you flee, it lasts no more than three days. At his beckoning, you return, allowing him to trample over you.

No wonder he and his pals look down on you. Truly, Grace, if you ever truly lost your memory, I'd celebrate with fireworks."