Chapter 2
Juliet dropped her gaze, a cold smile crossing her face. She was about to die in place of Norman’s first love, and even that wasn’t enough to make him stay for five minutes. How heartless could he be?
But at last, she’d come to her senses. She was done with him. She went upstairs, drafted the divorce agreement, and began packing her belongings.
Suddenly, she realized she was running a high fever. Every time she ran a fever, her muscles ached as if thousands of ants were crawling beneath her skin. The pain was unbearable.
She went downstairs to get some medicine and bumped into her brother, Seth Lennon, who’d just walked in.
He was hauling several large bags of fabric, his tone brisk and authoritative as he said, “Juliet, you’ll work through the night to make the most stylish and luxurious dress for Iris. She needs it for The Stellar Voices Awards Ceremony in four days.”
Juliet hesitated. “I have a fever.”
Seth frowned, clearly irritated. “Don’t start with that. Are you pretending to be sick again? Just do what I’m telling you, or I’ll throw out the watch you gave me!”
Juliet had believed her heart was too numb to feel any more pain, but his threatening words struck her deeply.
She’d lost both her parents when she was young, and it was Seth who’d raised her, showering her with love and care. But ever since he’d met Iris, he’d always sided with her and forced Juliet to do things for her.
He’d completely forgotten that Juliet was his own sister. No matter how hard she tried to win him over, she could never regain his affection.
If this was how things were going to be, Juliet decided to let go of Norman and Seth. She wanted nothing more to do with either of them!
“I won’t do it,” Juliet said, her voice firm and resolute.
She continued rummaging through the drawer for medicine.
Seth seized her wrist. “Since when did you get the nerve to disobey me? Get to work on that dress. Iris won first place in The Stellar Voices Competition and needs it for the awards ceremony!”
Juliet’s voice turned sharp, dripping with sarcasm. “First place? The song she won with, ‘Splendor,’ was my composition. The recording she submitted was my voice. Does she even deserve that award?”
Seth’s eyes widened in shock. Juliet had always been so obedient and willing to comply. How could she suddenly speak with such an edge?
He paused for a moment to collect himself before saying, “Iris comes from a broken home. She’s had a hard life, relying solely on her mom. Isn’t it only fair that you help her? Can’t you show a little compassion?”
Juliet’s eyes burned with fury at his twisted logic. “Compassion? Are you saying that refusing to help the woman who stole my husband makes me heartless? Why do you and Norman keep pushing me like this? Why should I have to die in her place? What do I owe you?”
Seth frowned, his expression turning stern. “Juliet, you’re an immortal. You won’t die. Why are you making such a big deal out of this? Iris is just an ordinary person with 100 years to live, at most. Can’t you just let her have this?”
Juliet shut her eyes, overwhelmed by disappointment. All because she was immortal, her husband and brother—the two men she loved most—seemed to think they had the right to demand she sacrifice endlessly for Iris.
They didn’t care if she lived or died. They didn’t care if her heart was broken. To them, she was just a tool to get what they wanted.
Juliet turned and headed upstairs, her voice icy and detached. “Seth Lennon, I’m not making that dress. And from now on, I won’t lift a finger for Iris.”
Seth stared at her, stunned. It was the first time she’d ever called him by his full name. It left a dull, aching weight in his chest.
He stepped before her to block her path, his voice sharp and commanding. “Juliet! Have you forgotten everything I’ve taught you? I’m your brother. Are you seriously treating me like some stranger—”
“I haven’t forgotten. But to me, you are a stranger,” Juliet cut in, her face calm.
Seth’s eyes burned with anger as he glared at her. “What’s gotten into you? Don’t even think about going to bed until that dress is finished!”
