Chapter 3

I spent two weeks recovering in the hospital. Every day I could see updates on the wedding.

The simple, elegant venue I'd loved had been swapped for the princess-pink theme Lily adored, with dreamy balloons everywhere.

David and Helen wore formal attire, beaming as they watched Lily offer them a toast.

Ryan posted ten videos a day, his voice breaking with emotion in the captions,

"My little crybaby in her wedding dress. Brother is so, so proud of you."

Classmates who knew us well messaged me one after another, utterly confused.

"Amber, is your sister getting married at the same time as you?"

I didn't answer. Instead, I took a taxi home.

Julian was inside, peeling an apple for Lily. When he saw me, he instinctively blocked the doorway.

"What are you doing back here?"

I looked at him evenly. "Picking up some clothes."

Julian exhaled in relief and said quietly to me,

"Lily still hasn't forgiven you yet. Keep resting at the hospital for a few more days. I've already covered all the fees."

I didn't reply. I went to my room, packed my things, and took my passport and social security card.

I pulled out the brocade box hidden in the deepest corner of my cabinet. When I opened it, the silver bracelet inside was gone.

A roar filled my head.

That was the only keepsake my grandmother had left me.

I walked out into the living room, and sure enough, I saw it on Lily's wrist.

A soft, gentle gleam. Just looking at it gave you a sense of warmth.

David didn't even look up. "She found it the other day and insisted it looked pretty, so she's been wearing it. Don't fight her on this."

Ryan was busy coaxing Lily with a smile.

"So pretty. Who's my one and only little princess, huh?"

Lily proudly raised her hand.

I walked over and stretched my hand toward Lily, my voice hoarse. "Give me the bracelet."

Lily acted terrified and burrowed straight into Helen's arms.

"Waaah, I'm not giving it, mean sister."

She grabbed whatever was nearby and hurled it at me.

David shielded Lily and roared, "It's just a bracelet! Are you that hard up?"

But I could no longer feel the physical pain. All I felt was my heart being pierced through by a blade.

I stared at him fixedly. "That's the only thing Grandma left me. It's mine."

David paused, then said impatiently,

"Your grandma's already gone. Do you have to tear this family apart?"

"Besides, she was Lily's grandma too. Don't take competing for attention this far!"

I didn't listen. I stepped forward to pull the bracelet off Lily's wrist.

Lily screamed and dodged, falling to the ground and scraping her leg until it bled.

The bracelet shattered into pieces.

I tasted blood in the back of my throat. I tried to pick up the fragments, my fingertips covered in blood.

The next moment, Ryan yanked me up. A searing pain exploded across my cheek.

The sharp, crisp sound of a slap made everyone freeze.

Ryan grabbed my collar.

"Are you insane?"

He kicked the shattered pieces toward me and forced me to kneel on them.

"You're going to learn your lesson today, or you'll turn this whole household upside down."

I was dragged across the floor, utterly humiliated.

Julian glanced at me. A flicker of pity passed through his eyes, and his foot moved.

Then Lily shed a few tears in his direction.

He averted his gaze, turned around, and draped a coat over Lily.