Chapter 4
My attention was suddenly drawn to the design draft in Brook’s hands.
I couldn’t help but step forward, snatching it from him.
One by one, I flipped through the pages, and I realized–every design was almost identical to my own drafts.
Janis had stolen my designs to win that award!
“You stole my design!” I shouted, trembling with anger. “Janis, how could you be so shameless…”
My body shook with rage, and I couldn’t stop myself from raising my hand to strike her.
But before I could do anything, Brook grabbed my wrist with force, stopping me.
Then, with a powerful shove, he knocked me to the ground, and I fell awkwardly.
“Erica, you’ve been willful and arrogant since childhood. I’ve put up with you for Brook said coldly.
Too long,
“Janis won the award because of her own talent. You say she stole your work–do you have proof? If not, you’re just slandering her.”
“Erica, I didn’t steal your design,” Janis said, tears streaming down her face. “You’ve always hated me. I’ve never even had a chance to get close to your computer.”
She collapsed into Brook’s arms, sobbing.
I glared at Alex.
My computer was always in the study.
The only one who went into the study often was Alex.
But Alex averted his gaze, clearly uneasy.
At this point, did I still not understand?
“Erica, look at what you’ve become.”
Brook stood over me, looking down with contempt.
He casually tossed the red bracelet at me, and it fell to the floor beside me.
“I really don’t understand–why did I ever like you?”
I raised my head, full of sarcasm, ready to speak.
But
my eyes were caught by the necklace around Janis’s neck.
As soon as I recognized it, my entire body shook with anger.
It was a tulip–shaped diamond necklace–Mom’s heirloom, the one she had left for me.
“Alex, how dare you give Mom’s necklace to her! I pointed at Janis, my eyes burning with fury.
Alex bit his lip, looking uncomfortable. “Erica…”
Janis, now looking guilty, lowered her head and began to take off the necklace.
“I’m sorry, Erica. I didn’t know this was Aunt’s keepsake. I’ll return it to you right away,” she said, her tears falling as she spoke.
Alex’s face softened immediately, and he said to her, “Janis, you don’t need to take it off. I gave it to you.”
He then turned to me, “It’s just a necklace. Janis likes it, so let her have it. I’ll buy you a better one,”
My heart ached as if I had been pierced by a thousand needles. My voice trembled as I spoke: ” This is Mom’s, Alex. You have no right to decide!”
“Besides, I’d rather throw it away than let the daughter of the mistress take it!”
A flash of shame and anger crossed Alex’s face. “Erica! Don’t be so malicious toward Janis.”
“The issues between the adults have nothing to do with her.”
Janis cried even harder, covering her face with her hands.
Brook stepped forward and protected her in his arms. “Erica, don’t go too far!”
“Besides, it’s just a broken necklace. Janis, we’ll get you one better.”
He yanked the necklace off Janis’s neck and threw it onto the ground. “Let’s go. I’ll buy you an even better one right now.”
Alex glanced at me and sighed. “Erica, why do you have to be so unreasonable? Why do you have to make such a scene?”
“Janis is so pitiful, and yet you can’t accept her.”
“You’re a girl too. Why can’t you learn to be kinder?”
“And about the design drafts, Erica, you already have enough. You’ll have plenty of chances to win big awards in the future.”
“But Janis is different. She needs this award now to establish herself in the industry.”
“To be accepted by the Rockefeller family.”
He tried to help me up. “Erica…”
Chap
“Get lost.” I pushed his hand away and suddenly started to laugh.
“Brother.”
This would be the last time I called him that.
It would also be the last time I looked at him so seriously.
“You will pay for this.”
Alex frowned but didn’t dare meet my gaze.
“Erica, I’ll make it up to you later,” he said, his voice full of unease.
Then, without another word, he hurried after Brook and Janis, who were already walking away.
I crouched down, picked up the necklace, and pressed it to my chest. I stayed there motionless for a long time.
I didn’t cry, not even a single tear.
I realized that when sadness and heartbreak reach their peak, not even a single tear can
The sunset was fading.
Everything around me was consumed by the blood–red glow.
fall.
The weather forecast said that the temperature would rise steadily over the next few days. The air was dry, and they warned of fire hazards.
