2
At that moment, Clint suddenly stepped up beside her.
“Mr. Arland, don’t make things difficult for her.
“It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have shown up. I shouldn’t have disturbed you..
As he spoke, tears filled his eyes at just the right moment. “I’ll leave now.”
“Clint, I already said, I’ll take care of everything.”
Rachel’s heart ached instantly.
She wiped Clint’s tears while glancing at me.
Any warmth I’d seen in her was gone.
It was replaced only by disgust.
“Arland, can’t you stop being so clingy…”
I interrupted her, “We can call off the engagement, but give me back what’s mine.”
Rachel was stunned. “What thing?‘
I reached up and untied the red cord around my neck.
Hanging from it was a jade pendant-
A family heirloom her mother had given me when our engagement was set.
What my mom gave her in return was even more precious.
It had once belonged to the palace.
“The jade pendant is yours. I want my bracelet back.”
Rachel’s face grew cold as her eyes landed on the pendant in my hand.
I had kept it close since I was fifteen.
Everyone knew how much I treasured it.
“You think everyone’s as pathetic as you?”
Rachel snatched the pendant from me. “Who’d carry such trash around all day?”
She gave me one last cold look. “I’ll find your bracelet and give it back. After that, we’re done.”
When I got home, my s
Vivian was waiting for me in the living room.
“Arland, there’s something I need to tell you.”
She handed me a thick stack of documents.
“I’m transferring this office building to Clint so he can collect rent.”
“He’s suffered enough. Now that he’s part of our family, he deserves a break.”
I looked at the documents.
That building was my mother’s inheritance–property she brought from her own family.
Without expression, I picked up the papers and tore them apart.
“Arland!”
“What are you doing?”
Vivian stared at me disapprovingly.
“I already helped you cover up the incident when you pushed Clint down the stairs.”
“After all the grievances Clint has suffered, giving him one building is nothing.”
“Have you forgotten Mom’s last words?”
Vivian fell silent.
”
On her deathbed, Mom had held Vivian’s hand tightly, refusing to let go until she swore.
Swore that she would protect me, care for me, and never let anyone take what was mine.
And that I would always stand by Vivian, be her support.
“I haven’t forgotten.”
“But Arland, now that Clint is also my little brother…”
“Splitting my love for you and giving half to him isn’t too much, is it?”
“Arland, you’re too willful, too unreasonable.”
Vivian sighed. “Why can’t you be more like Clint?”
I wanted to laugh, but tears fell first.
“Vivian.”
“No one gets to take Mom’s things.”
“If you want to give Clint something, fine. Give him whatever you want from the Koch family.”
“There’s nothing good in the Koch family…”
Vivian’s voice trailed off.
Yes, there was nothing good about the Koch family-
Not the people, not the possessions.
I tossed the torn papers into the trash and went upstairs.
“Mom’s death anniversary is in a few days. Don’t forget.”
“How could I forget?” Vivian gave an awkward smile.
“Get
some rest. I’ll work in the study for a bit.”
I didn’t respond or look back.
That night, I didn’t sleep.
I sorted through everything in the house that had memories of the three of us.
I burned the photos.
Smashed and dismantled everything I could.
What could be donated, I packed and sent to the orphanage.
The only thing left was this small house, full of memories.
This was the Koch family’s only villa when Mom married in.
Later, Mom passed away, and my sister and I couldn’t bear to move.
Then Dad moved out to live with Clint’s mom.
Vivian rarely returned after that.
Rachel used to come over to play every day.
But now, she hadn’t come in a long time.
On the balcony, I hugged Mom’s photo.
I cried for a long time before falling asleep in tears.
The day after my birthday was Mom’s death anniversary.
Back then, Mom held on just long enough to see me through my birthday.
I cried my heart out that day.
Rachel had stayed with me all 24 hours, not daring to blink.
She’d been with me for the eight birthdays that followed.
This was the first time she wasn’t here.
But it didn’t matter anymore.
Rachel didn’t come.
But Clint did, haunting me like a shadow.
Her social media was flooded all night.
Nosy people even live–streamed the whole thing for me.
“She said she couldn’t find a reason to celebrate, so tonight we’ll celebrate for your iPad’s birthday.”
“She just wanted an excuse to eat cake.”
A beautiful two–tiered cake, a champagne tower-
Clint, the pampered little prince, surrounded by gifts and luxury cars,
Smiling with soft eyes at the person beside him.
Rachel smiled back tenderly. They looked perfect together.
All the gentleness and care that used to belong to me was now Clint’s.
I closed her social media feed and turned off my phone.
I closed my eyes and made a wish over the candle.
“Mom, please bless me and let everything go smoothly.”
“Mom, please protect me and keep me far away from these awful people.”
