Said No to the Prince and Yes to the King novel Chapter 319

Chapter 319 Jump

Finished

Jasper quickly moved to block her path. “Margaret, don’t go near her now. She’s not herself-”

“Oh, stop it, Jasper!” Stella’s voice cracked with raw bitterness. “You’re such a hypocrite! You dote on her every chance you get, so why pretend to care about me now? To you, she’s your only real sister, isn’t she? All those times you said I was your favorite… empty words. Everything revolves around her now. Why? Just tell me why!”

Tears streamed down Stella’s face, her fragile composure shattering completely. “She’s ruined me! She destroyed my reputation and turned me into a laughingstock. Because of her, I lost my hair and my figure -I look like a bloated whale! She humiliated me at the one event where I was supposed to shine, and now my hair won’t grow back. My beauty, my good name… gone!”

Her voice rose to a trembling wail. “And look at her! Prince Theodore wants to marry her. Even Chris suddenly declares his heart belongs to her. What about me? What did I do wrong to deserve being tossed aside by all of you?”

She swept a desperate gaze over the shocked onlookers. “You’re not fools. Think about it! Everything she has rightfully belongs to me. Mine! She stole my life and now plays the victim. Isn’t that a joke?”

Stella edged closer to the cliff’s crumbling lip, her voice dropping to a broken whisper. “Margaret… my downfall is your doing. If I die here today, my ghost will never rest. You pushed me to this! Since no one believes me anymore, I’ll prove my innocence with my death. Let everyone remember–Margaret’s the one who killed me!”

“What are you waiting for?” Timothy’s roar cut through the tense air.

He glared at Margaret, his face flushed with anger. “Stella has suffered enough because of you. Get down on your knees and apologize. Maybe that will calm/her down!”

Margaret shoved his reaching hand away, her own anger simmering. “Forgive me, Father, but I don’t understand a word you’re saying. That didn’t sound like anything human.”

Jasper stepped closer, his voice low and pleading. “Margaret, know you’re innocent. I know you’re hurting. But you’re the elder sister. Stella isn’t in her right mind. Just apologize, please. We need to get her away from the edge.”

“Whatever wrong Stella has done you, she is still your blood. Listen to your father. Swallow your pride for now, make peace with her, and bring her down.” Christopher’s calm voiee joined in from a few steps away.

A bitter laugh escaped Margaret’s lips.

Shaking her head slowly, she began walking forward. “Apologize? For what? Explain to me exactly what I’ve done wrong.”

As Timothy made another grab for her arm, she darted past him, stopping right beside the sobbing Stella.

Stella shrieked and wobbled perilously.

In that heart–stopping moment, Margaret shouted, “If you hate me that much, then maybe I should be the one to jump!”

12:18 pm PTM

Chapter 319–Jump

Finished

She mimicked Stella’s stance, leaning toward the dizzying drop.

Panic erupted instantly.

“Have you lost your mind? Margaret, get back here this instant!” Timothy bellowed.

Jasper rushed forward, hands outstretched. “Margaret, no! One person acting recklessly is bad enough, don’t you-”

“Ms. Campbell! If you fall, I cannot answer to His Highness!” Baxter, his usually stoic face tight with alarm, called out.

Even Christopher’s composure cracked. “Margaret, stop this foolishness!”

“Why the different treatment?” Margaret’s voice was dangerously calm as she stood at the precipice, her eyes locked on Stella. “She threatens to jump, and you all beg her to calm down. I do the same, and you tell me not to be ridiculous. Do you think I won’t do it? Or am I just not worth the same concern?”

She took another deliberate half–step closer to the void. “Well, Stella? Why hesitate? You jump, and I follow right after. I promise. Whoever chickens out is a coward.”

Stella clenched her jaw, fury battling with fear in her eyes. “You’re still pushing me! You’re—”

“How is me jumping pushing you? Are you scared I’ll die with you? Or scared we’ll both survive?” Margaret interrupted, her gaze unwavering.

“Margaret!” Timothy’s patience snapped. “You’re the older sister! Can’t you give in to her just this once? A simple apology, and here you are playing with your life too! If you have the guts, jump! Otherwise, get back here! Is saving your own sister really such an impossible-”

“Give in?!” Margaret whirled to face him, her own control finally splintering. “I’ve been giving in to her my entire life! Hasn’t that been enough?”

Her voice trembled with years of pent–up hurt. “You always told me to let her have her way. Did I ever fight her for anything? She wanted all your love and attention, so I made myself small, tried to stay invisible. But you still sought me out just to bully me, didn’t you? Because I was an easy target.

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“I always knew you favored her, Father. But I never imagined how deep that bias ran. You know she was the one who poisoned those pastries. You know she’s the reason you’re trapped in that swollen body. And what did you do? You scolded her lightly and let it go. Now that… that is a father’s love