Warming
Warming 1

A Heartwarming Marriage

Saltfish Dreams

Chapter 1

A horrified scream rang out at the Johnson residence. “Oh, no! Ms. Sabrina’s committed suicide!”

The people who were seated in the living room immediately bolted upstairs, with Lucille Johnson being the exception. She glanced coldly in the direction of Sabrina Johnson’s bedroom on the second floor before getting up and lazily heading

upstairs.

Many people were squeezed into the room. Fortunately, it was large enough to accommodate everyone. Lucille looked around and took in the lavish decorations and furniture. It was clear that whoever was occupying this room was treated like a princess. A hint of cold mockery flashed in her eyes.

“What the hell happened?” An angry voice rang out. It belonged to Lucille’s grandfather, Horace Johnson.

A maid knelt on the floor with her head bowed. She trembled as she said, “We came upstairs to call Ms. Sabrina, Mr. Johnson Senior. That was when we found her lying unmoving in bed. There was a suicide letter and a bottle of sleeping pills on her bedside table.”

A suicide letter? Sleeping pills?

Everyone looked stunned and horrified. Even Lucille was slightly surprised by the lengths Sabrina had gone to.

A man got down on one knee by the bed. He lifted Sabrina into his arms without saying a word. His handsome face was grim as he growled, “I’ll take her to the hospital!”

As he walked past Lucille, he glared at her and snarled, “You’d better pray nothing happens to Bree!”

Then, he strode off.

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Lucille narrowed her eyes without saying anything Just then, a shrill voice that was both mocking and choked up rang out. “Why did you have to force Sabrina to death, Lucife? How can you be so che?”

Lucille turned to frown slightly at tvy Beech vy was her stepmother and Sabrina’s mother She said coldly. “She tried to kill herself of her own accord. How is it my

fout?

“You imbecile” Sabrina’s your sister! How can you be so heartless and evil?” Her Father, William Johnson, was furious. He didn’t care how his words would affect her.

Then again, she was already used to it. She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes, which were frosty. She didn’t say anything.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Horace move his walking cane. She gave him at rebellious look and asked lazily. “What? Do you want to hit me again, Grandpa?”

Lucille could clearly see the hatred and disgust in Horace’s eyes. He was known for being biased against her, anyway. His eyes and heart had been blinded by prejudice.

He roared, “How did we end up with an imbecile like you in the family? You’re nothing but an ingrate! You don’t deserve to be included in our family tree!”

Lucille laughed derisively as her eyes flashed with mockery. “Do you think I want.

that? Remove me, then!”

Horace couldn’t stand her arrogance and rebelliousness. He gave her a look of disgust and snapped, “You’re ridiculous! If anything happens to Sabrina, you

She cut him off. “What? Are you going to kill me so I can go to hell with her? Don’t tell me you guys really think she’s royalty or something.”

She sneered, not believing for a second that Sabrina would die just like that. Sabrinal was such a vain, covetous coward. How could she possibly bear to die? Still, she had to admit Sabrina had improved her acting skills immensely. She’d fooled everyone

around her.

Horace and the others looked at her without any trace of love or concern. They only felt hatred and disgust for her.

Lucille said, “I’m a daughter of the Johnson family, just like her. Why do I have to give in to her at every turn?”

William snapped, “Because she’s your sister!”

Horace retorted, “Why? Think about the horrible things you’ve done over the years! You haven’t stopped trying to frame Sabrina for things she hasn’t done, and you’ve caused trouble at every turn.

“You’re also obnoxious and worthless. What else are you capable of? What can you bring to the Johnson family?”

Lucille’s gaze darkened, and her expression turned stormy. At the same time, she exuded iciness as her lips curled up.

Of course. How could she have forgotten? Sabrina was renowned in Whiteloop City for her talent and skills. In recent years, she had boosted the Johnson family’s reputation and benefited them greatly.

Horace continued, “You have to call off the engagement with the Quall family. It’s not like they’ll let someone with your reputation marry into their family!”

Lucille challenged him. “What if I refuse?”

He slammed his walking cane on the floor and scowled. Then, he roared, “You have

no room for refusal!”

With that, he led everyone else to the hospital. Lucille watched them leave, as calm as could be. Similar experiences had happened countless times in the past–she was already used to it. To the Johnsons, Sabrina was their lucky star. Meanwhile, she was nothing but a symbol of misfortune.

She knew she’d truly given up on her family on the day that her heart had stopped hurting because of their accusations and insults. She no longer felt lonely because none of them understood her.

Lucille could understand why the Johnsons had fallen for Sabrina’s terrible acting. They were stupid and only had their eyes on the money. But Harold Quall…

She couldn’t understand how he’d been blinded by Sabrina’s idiocy. He was supposed to be smart and capable. How had he become the heir of the Quall family when he was a fool?

When Lucille arrived at Central Hospital, Sabrina had already gotten her stomach pumped and had been admitted. As Lucille approached the hospital room, she heard the conversation inside.

ak sanga sha veka a vlykt, and har

heart at the best cho Vets have any lasting wide effects on her health?”

The Nort

doctor was taken aback Sabena had heart problema? Stil he dish think much of and said. Tont work The patient was brought to the hospital in tone, so she’s the now She’ll wake up soon. Remember put her on a clean det for the next few

days. She can be discharged after that

Everyone sighed in relief at his words. Meanable, Lucite angered to herself

The doctor left after tailing the Johnsons what to do. When boy turned and saw Lubile standing at the door, her expression Noane twisted and menacing She

became asked warly. “What are you doing here? Are you trying to barm Sabrina agam?”

Lucile roiled ber eyes Like mother, like daughter. Did they think she disht have better things to do? She didn’t need to do anything. Sabrina could act out the scene

berseif

“What are you doing here, you imbecile? Get the hell out of here! Don’t daty Sabrina’s hospital room!” William barked

Lucille raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms. She narrowed her eyes, which were filled with ice. She fet like she’d be doing their anger an injustice if she didn’t say

anything.

“What am I doing here?” She sneered. I’m here to see whether your precious little Sabrina’s still alive, of course.”

“Lucifer” Harold’s voice rang out coldly.

She scratched her ear and looked at him lazily.

Harold wore a sharp suit and stood by Sabrina’s bed like he was her knight in shining artor. No, that was exactly what he wa

The gods had given him a good family and good looks. He had chiseled features–a tall nose and deep–set eyes. His skin was smooth, and he looked like a perfect gentleman. It was no wonder Sabrina had fallen for him.

Harold strode toward Lucille and dragged her out of the hospital room. Then, he flung her aside and waited until she’d snapped to her senses to say, “She’s your

sister, Lucy!”

Lucille looked up at him. This again? That was all everyone could say to her! She snorted. “My sister?”

Harold met her eyes. He couldn’t help feeling taken aback when he saw the frostiness in her eyes. It spread over her face and made her seem like a cold yet beautiful flower that would only bloom on the coldest of mountaintops.

He’d always known that she was pretty. In fact, she was much prettier than Sabrina. She was just… too strong–willed and arrogant.

Lucille continued, “Have you ever met anyone who would steal their sister’s fiancé? I wouldn’t dare admit that I have a homewrecking woman as a sister!”

Harold said, “Sabrina and I genuinely love each other, Lucy. I-”

She cut him off while looking like she couldn’t ca less what he had to say. “Yeah, whatever. Cut the crap. I don’t care whether you two are really in love or not.”

Harold looked at her. He thought she was saddened by his words, so he said, “Fine. I won’t say anything. My engagement to you has to be called off, though.”

“What if I say no?” Lucille blinked.

A trace of pity flashed in Harold’s eyes. He didn’t want to hurt Lucille, but he’d only ever thought of her as his sister. Sabrina was the one who’d always held his heart. Lucy, I…”

She didn’t let him finish again. “If you want me to agree to call off the engagement, tell Sabrina to get on her knees and apologize to me. Once she does that, I’ll give this clandestine relationship the green light.”

Harold’s expression turned menacing at her words, and his gaze turned cold. Then, he snapped, “You’re the one at fault, Lucy, not Sabrina!

“It’s fine if you don’t apologize to her, but how can you demand she get on her knees and apologize to you? How can you be so unreasonable? When did you become so heartless?”

He paused, and his chest heaved with anger. Then, he continued, “Since you two were kids, she’s spoken up on your behalf despite you being in the wrong. She tried so hard to protect you! But look at what you’ve done! You’ve tried to kill her time and time again, and you even got someone to sully her.

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“Do you have a heart? Are you still human? She even wrote in her suicide letter that we weren’t to blame you for anything. Yet you show no sign of remorse, and you’re demanding something so ridiculous! I’m so disappointed in you!”

Lucille narrowed her eyes and sneered. Sabrina had mentioned her in her letter, huh? This was what she did best–pretend to be frail and kind.

“What? I guess that means she can’t do it. Forget it, then. I’m not the one who’s trying to seek death all the time,” Lucille said calmly. She acted like she didn’t hear a thing Harold had said. Honestly, she was already immune to those things.

Harold felt like his rage had fallen short of its target when he saw how she refused to own up to her mistakes. “When did you become this cold–blooded?”