They Poisoned Me to Make Her Laugh

Since childhood, I had been engaged to a pair of twin brothers.

They were always fighting over which one of them would marry me someday.

They even argued over who could hold me for two seconds longer.

But at the husband-selection party, they both smiled and told me that the things they said as kids were just jokes, and whoever took them seriously had already lost.

Not long after, they both fell in love with Madison Clarke, the queen bee who had just transferred to our school.

To make her laugh, they knew I had a severe peanut allergy, yet they tricked me into eating cake mixed with peanut butter at a birthday party.

Soon, I could barely breathe, red rashes broke out all over my body, and I collapsed on the floor in agony, begging them for help over and over.

But they only stood off to the side and burst out laughing.

Look at her. Doesnt she flop around like a dying fish? Thats hilarious!

Only after I completely lost consciousness from anaphylactic shock did they finally call an ambulance.

All because Madison wanted to see whether a person on the verge of death would really lose control of their bladder.

After I woke up, I tore up our engagement agreement with my own hands and gave up on them completely.

Later, I left that city.

But even later, those twin brothers who had once pushed me toward death with their own hands searched the whole world for me like they had gone insane.

The cold wind blew past, and large, shocking patches of red rash still remained on my exposed skin.

After being resuscitated, my body was terribly weak, and every breath felt like someone was ripping my chest apart.

But the pain in my body was nowhere near one ten-thousandth of the pain in my heart.

I held on to the railing by the road and struggled toward home.

Before I even reached the front door, my phone rang.

At that moment, my phone suddenly started vibrating.

On the screen, Ethan Grants name kept flashing.

I hesitated for a moment, but still pressed the answer button.

Where the hell did you run off to?

Madison has been blaming herself because of you, and she cried for half the day.

You just ate the wrong thing, thats all. Do you have to make everyone upset? Come back right now and apologize to her.

Before he finished speaking, Liam Grant had already snatched the phone away.

Madison has been waiting for you to come back so she can apologize to you. Can you stop being so dramatic? Cant you be even half as considerate as Madison?

Listening to their righteous accusations, I only felt the rashes on my body itch even more.

I opened my mouth, but before I could speak, my vision suddenly went black.

When I woke up again, the sharp smell of disinfectant already filled my nose.

A nurse stood by my bed with a reproachful look on her face.

You young people really dont take your health seriously. If someone hadnt brought you in, you wouldve been dead. You were nearly dying from an allergic reaction and still refused to stay in the hospital. Youre practically insane!

I slowly closed my eyes and did not explain.

The nurse asked again:

Have you contacted your family? There are still quite a few follow-up exams, and we need a family members signature.

After a long silence, I finally spoke softly.

I dont have any family.

After my parents died, I had been living with the Grants.

Everyone said I was the Grant familys future daughter-in-law.

But only today did I finally understand that I was nothing more than an outsider who could be thrown away at any time.

I stayed in the hospital for five full days.

The two Grant brothers did not call me even once.

In the past, if I came home five minutes late, they would take turns calling me.

They would ask me where I was again and again.

They would even drive out themselves to pick me up.

But now, I had disappeared for five whole days.

Yet they did not even send me a single message.

On the day I was discharged, I completed the paperwork alone and took a cab home.

By the time I came back to my senses, I was already standing at the Grant houses front door.

I smiled bitterly and shook my head, just about to leave, when Madisons voice came through the crack in the door.

Sophia hasnt come home in five days. Should you two call her?

Liam gave a scornful laugh.

Shes just throwing a tantrum. Her parents are dead anyway, so where else can she go besides here? It wont be long before she comes crawling back like a dog.

Ethan chimed in too.

Exactly. Dont worry about her. Why dont we talk about who gets to kiss you now instead

But

Before Madison could finish, Liam covered her mouth and coaxed her softly:

Dont mention that useless girl. Dont ruin the mood.

The next second.

Madison seemed to glance toward the door casually.

Our eyes met.

The corners of her mouth slowly curved into a smug and provocative smile.

In that instant, I understood everything.

She had known I was standing outside the door all along.

All of this had been a show deliberately put on for me.

I clenched my fists tightly, and my whole body trembled uncontrollably.

That night.

I returned to the house my parents had left behind.

Ever since Mom and Dad died, I had moved into the Grant house.

This was the first time I had stepped back into this place.

At dawn.

My phone suddenly rang.

The caller ID showed Madison.

As soon as I answered, the sound of the brothers arguing came from the other end of the line.

They were arguing over which one of them Madison should kiss tonight.

This scene used to happen every day.

Liam liked kissing me, and Ethan liked kissing me too.

In the end, I was the one who suggested kissing one of them each week, and only then did the brothers finally calm down.

Now, listening to that familiar argument on the other end of the line, I only felt as if someone had carved a hole straight through my heart.

I silently hung up the phone.

I opened the ticket-booking app.

I bought a one-way ticket back to my hometown for the day after tomorrow.

Early the next morning.

I walked into the Grant house.

Liam was making breakfast in the kitchen, while Ethan was brewing coffee.

Hearing the door open, they both looked up at the same time.

When they saw it was me, their eyes held only undisguised mockery.

Ethan was the first to sneer.

Oh, so you still know how to come back? Werent you so full of pride? Who were you trying to threaten by running away from home?

He casually pointed upstairs.

By the way, Madison has already moved into your old room. Move your things into the storage room under the stairs later.

That storage room.

It had always been where the cleaning lady kept her supplies.

I instinctively looked at Liam.

I thought he would at least think Ethan had gone too far.

But he only frowned.

Im worried that Sophia living here will make Madison uncomfortable. Why dont we just have her move back to her own place?

Ethan immediately nodded.

She was never part of our family anyway. Shes just been living and eating here for free all these years.

Madison is different. Shes sensitive. I dont want her feeling awkward because of Sophia.

For a moment, I suddenly felt dazed.

Back then, on the day of my mothers funeral.

They had cried while holding my hands, begging me to move in with them.

They said they would take care of me for the rest of my life.

But now.

I had become the outsider in their mouths who refused to leave.

It turned out that a persons heart really could change this fast.

Before I could speak.

Ethan had already grabbed my wrist and shoved me toward the door.

Get out already. Dont wait until Madison wakes up and sees you, then ruin her mood again.

Behind me.

Liam added flatly.

Change the smart lock too, so she doesnt sneak back in again.

I did not even have time to tell them.

I had only come back to get my passport.

After leaving.

I first went to replace my temporary ID.

Then I contacted a real estate agent.

I decided to sell the house my parents had left me.

Though I could not bear to part with it.

But I knew.

I would never come back again.

After handling all that, I went to the grocery store to buy food.

My health had always been poor.

In the past, the Grant brothers always fought to cook for me.

They always said takeout was unhealthy, and they could not bear to let me eat it.

I still remembered.

Once, I casually posted on my feed that I wanted spicy Mexican tacos.

The next day.

Liam made a deluxe version with his own hands and brought it to me.

I saw that his hands were covered in knife cuts and burns.

I asked him how he got them.

But he hid his hands behind his back and said with a smile:

I messed up by accident while figuring out the recipe.

My heart ached terribly.

I only said it casually. You dont have to work this hard. We couldve just ordered delivery.

But he frowned.

As long as Im here, I wont let you eat that junk food.

Ethan was the same.

To make my favorite cake for me.

He stayed up several nights in a row just to learn baking.

Back then.

Mrs. Grant often said with a smile.

Its too bad the law doesnt allow it, or Id really want both of them to marry you.

Thinking about it now.

It felt like a lifetime ago.

But it did not matter.

Anyway, tomorrow, I was leaving.

When I got home.

I had just opened the door.

But I found the brothers and Madison sitting brazenly in my living room.

Only then did I feel annoyed with myself.

If I had known, I would have changed the door code from the start.

Sophia, youre back.

Madison stood up with a smile.

Ive always been curious about your childhood, so they specially brought me here to see the place where you grew up. You dont mind, do you?

Shes very obedient. She wont mind. Ethan did not even look at me before making the decision for me.

Liam was the same, hugging Madison from behind.

Maddie, Ill show you around.

Im first!

They started arguing over Madison again.

I was too lazy to bother with them, so I walked straight into the kitchen to make dinner.

In the past.

Ethan loved getting jealous the most.

As long as I talked to Liam a little more.

He would get sulky and throw a fit.

I always laughed and said he was like a child.

But he would hug my arm and say with a grin:

Its because its you that I get jealous.

It turned out.

I was not special.

I just had not met the person who could truly replace me yet.

While I was chopping vegetables.

Madison suddenly walked in, her face full of caution.

Sophia, are you mad because I came over without saying hello?

I really didnt mean anything else. I just wanted to see the place where you grew up.

I did not even lift my head.

Youve seen it, so get out.

As soon as I finished speaking.

Ethan had already stormed in angrily.

Sophia, what do you mean by that? Madison took the initiative to be friends with you, and youre giving her attitude?

If Id known you were this ungrateful, we never shouldve let you move into our house in the first place!

Liam also walked in.

The way he looked at me was filled with disgust.

Sophia, dont go too far. Apologize to Madison right now.

I slammed the kitchen knife onto the cutting board and let out a cold laugh.

She barges into my house, and you still want me to apologize to her?

Are you two insane?

Madisons eyes instantly turned red.

Sophia, I know you hate me, but dont be mean to them I dont want to see them upset.

The brothers immediately gathered around her.

They comforted her softly as if coaxing a child.

Liam turned back and glared at me.

Only thick disgust remained in his eyes.

No wonder people always bullied you at school before.

One sentence.

It made my whole body freeze in place.

In middle school.

Because I was thin and introverted, I was often bullied.

They gave me all kinds of nasty nicknames.

One time.

They even locked me inside the music classroom for an entire night.

I curled up in the darkness and cried until dawn.

That day.

Liam braved the storm and searched the entire school building.

At last, he followed the sound of crying and found me.

The next day.

Ethan pulled up the security footage and took it straight to the principals office.

Everyone who had bullied me was severely punished by the school.

Sure enough.

The people who know you best.

Will always know which words can hurt you the most.

Liam looked at my pale face, and his expression paused slightly, as if he realized he had gone too far.

But before he could speak.

Madison had already lowered her head and said aggrievedly:

Sophia really seems to hate me Maybe I should just leave.

Ethan immediately held her hand.

Dont be sad. Ill make you a chocolate cake when we get back.

That was my favorite dessert.

Back then.

He practiced for an entire month to learn how to make that dessert.

Now.

It had become a gift to cheer someone else up.

Watching their backs as they left.

My determination to leave became completely firm.

But that same night.

They pushed open my door once again.

Liam carried a takeout box in his hand, with a hint of pride on his face.

I frowned and looked at the three of them.

I had no idea what trick they wanted to play this time.

Liam placed the chocolate cake in front of me.

I made it myself.

Try it and see if it tastes the same as before.

For a moment.

My heart still softened a little.

But the next second.

The icy river water, along with the way they stood on the bank and laughed loudly, surfaced in my mind again.

I spoke calmly.

Im not hungry.

Liams face instantly darkened.

I worked so hard to make this for you, and this is your attitude?

The air stayed frozen for a long time.

In the end, I still picked up the fork.

Anyway.

I was leaving tomorrow.

After I finished eating, they would probably leave too.

But after only two bites.

I frowned.

Why does it taste different?

Liam lifted his chin, his face full of pride.

I specially added mango and extra peanut butter.

It makes the flavor richer.

The fork in my hand fell to the floor with a snap.

I looked at him in disbelief.

Liam Grant

You clearly know Im severely allergic to mango and peanuts!

But he waved his hand carelessly.

Stop pretending.

Madison has always been curious how anyone could be allergic to both mango and peanuts. I figured you must have been lying to us on purpose before.

Look, arent you perfectly fine right now?

Ethan glanced down at the time and immediately laughed.

I won!

Madison, tomorrow you have to kiss me three times on your own.

The three of them turned and left while chatting and laughing.

The moment the door closed.

My throat suddenly began to tighten.

Breathing became more and more difficult.

I stumbled around looking for my EpiPen.

But then I suddenly remembered.

All my medicine was still at the Grant house.

I used the last bit of my strength to call 91The next second.

My vision fell completely into darkness.

When I woke up again.

It was still the same sharp smell of disinfectant.

The doctor told me.

If I had arrived any later, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

I had to stay in the hospital for observation.

That night.

I did not sleep at all.

Early the next morning.

I completed the discharge paperwork.

Dragging my suitcase, I went straight to the airport.

Before leaving.

I finally changed the smart lock at home.

Then I sent a message to the real estate agent.

I told him that as long as he sold the house as soon as possible, I was willing to pay an extra five percent commission.

The plane slowly taxied toward the runway.

Just as it was about to take off.

My phone began vibrating like crazy.

The screen was filled with calls from the Grant brothers.

I glanced at it.

Expressionless, I pressed the power-off button.

The plane soared into the clouds.

And I never looked back again.