Chapter 1

My eldest brother, Adam Chapman, was the first to snap out of it. He shoved Sunny Sinclair aside and dropped to his knees beside me, trying to ease me down flat on my back.

"Nance! Nance, look at me! It's me, Adam! Take a deep breath!"

My second brother, Beau Chapman, came scrambling over, practically falling to the floor beside me. His hands shook as he frantically dug through my bag, searching for my medication.

My third brother, Claude Chapman, was a doctor. His face had gone pale as he pressed a finger beneath my nose, his voice trembling with panic. "Oxygen! Get the portable oxygen tank now!"

Sunny, who had been protected behind my brothers just moments ago, was now curled up in a corner, petrified. Tears streamed down her face.

"I-I didn't know Ms. Chapman would react like this. I just wanted to touch the bracelet. Is she mad at me? I-I'm so scared."

Hearing that fake, overly sweet voice of hers made my breathing grow even more labored.

I had always suffered from severe sensory hypersensitivity. When I was a baby, if the temperature in my room changed by even half a degree, I would cry all night until my lips turned blue.

If a single loose thread in my clothes brushed against me, my skin would break out in large patches of red rashes.

After our parents passed away, my brothers took turns holding me through countless sleepless nights. Whenever they carried me, they barely even dared to breathe too heavily.

No one understood my condition better than they did, yet today, for an intern they had barely known for three months, they let her wear the custom-made gown I treasured most and destroyed the only keepsake Mom had left me.

Claude pressed the oxygen mask over my face, but I clenched my teeth and refused to breathe, no matter what. "Nance, please, I'm begging you! Just inhale!"

I stared at him with wide, tear-filled eyes. Tears slipped down the corners of my eyes as my chest heaved violently from the lack of oxygen.

Sunny was still crying softly nearby. "Claude, is she just trying to scare us? Back in the countryside, I got bitten by dogs before and didn't even act this dramatically."

I ripped the oxygen mask off my face and pointed at her, screaming hysterically, "Who do you think you are, comparing me to you and a dog? Get out! Get out of my house!"

I screamed until my voice broke, scratching wildly at my neck. In an instant, my pale skin was covered with streaks of bloody scratches.

Adam grabbed my hands like he was losing his mind. "Nance, I'm sorry! I shouldn't have yelled at you!"

My reaction shook Sunny. She probably thought I would act like those arrogant heiresses on TV, looking down on her and slapping her across the face.

What she didn't understand, though, was that people with severe sensory hypersensitivity and overwhelming episodes didn't always care about their own safety once they broke down.

Sunny bit her lip, looking wronged. "Adam… I know I spoke without thinking, but how could she tell me to leave? It's pouring outside."

By then, I was utterly consumed by my emotions. I tore myself free from Adam's grip and grabbed the fruit knife from the table. "Leave, or I'll kill myself!"

The blade pressed against my neck.

Beau collapsed to his knees in fear. "Put the knife down, Nance! Please, I'm begging you!"

I stared straight at Sunny, madness burning in my eyes. "Aren't you Sunny the Sunshine? Aren't you the one who's so sensible and down-to-earth? What's a few raindrops going to do to you? Now, get out!"

Her face turned deathly pale as she turned to my brothers for help. This time, none of them dared to meet her eyes.

Adam clenched his jaw and pointed toward the door. "Sunny, I want you to leave. Now."