Chapter 3

The landlord paused for a moment, then said awkwardly that I could leave the key in the mailbox.

After I finished packing, I stepped out of the bedroom.

Just then, the front door opened.

Adrian and Chloe came in together, laughing and talking.

Chloe's voice had that spoiled, coaxing sweetness to it.

“You promised, Adrian. Once my lease is up, I'm moving into your estate. Save me the room with the bay window, okay? And change the curtains to that shade of pink I like.”

Adrian didn't object. His smile was indulgent.

“As long as Emma doesn't mind.”

Chloe pouted playfully.

“Emma has always taken care of me. Why would she mind?”

She said it as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

All at once, I felt as if I couldn't breathe.

I frowned.

“What if I say I do mind?”

Chloe froze.

The next second, tears gathered in her eyes.

Adrian's voice immediately turned reproachful.

“Emma, what's wrong with you? You're really going to make a scene over one room?”

“I'm not making a scene,” I said.

He frowned. “Then what do you mean? She's your sister, not some stranger you need to keep out. The estate is huge. What difference does one more person make?”

“That's supposed to be our home after the wedding. The home of the future Mrs. Westwood. Who exactly are you marrying?”

My words stopped Adrian cold.

Chloe lowered her eyes, already looking close to tears.

“Emma, I just wanted to be closer to you. If you don't want me there, then forget it. I won't move in.”

Adrian looked at me in disappointment.

“Do you hear yourself? You just tore her down over one room. She’s your sister, Emma. Could you try thinking about her feelings?”

I lifted my head.

“Then who's supposed to think about me?”

“You arranged for her to work at a company under the Westwood family and approved a salary far above everyone else at her level. She barely has to worry about anything. And what do I have? I only—”

Adrian cut me off with a frown.

“Enough. She's your sister. I only look out for her because of you. Do you really have to make everything so petty?”

Petty.

Again.

I laughed softly and stopped speaking.

Chloe tugged at his sleeve and whispered, “Adrian, don't say that. Emma is probably just in a bad mood.”

His tone softened.

“Emma, I've already made the decision. Don't be so small-minded.”

I nodded with a cold smile.

Fine.

I would be leaving soon anyway. Whoever wanted to live in that estate could live there.

Chloe dabbed the corners of her eyes, and her smile quickly returned.

That afternoon, I went to Westwood Group headquarters.

I put the access card to the Westwood residence, the key to Adrian's private office, and everything else into a small bag and asked the receptionist to pass it on.

Once that was done, I turned to leave.

As I reached the stairwell with its dark carpet, I heard Adrian's voice.

“You want me to come with you on Saturday for your wedding manicure?”

My hand tightened around the strap of my bag.

“Yes. I just don’t want Emma taking it the wrong way. You know how she gets.”

His voice came through the half-open door, carrying a faint smile.

“Fine. I’ll take you. Don’t worry about Emma—I’ll talk to her.”

I let out a bitter laugh.

I had already decided to let go.

What was I still waiting for?

The next day, I loaded my packed luggage into the car and drove back to Hartwell, a seaside town in Maine.

Before I left for good, I wanted to clean the old house my parents had left me.

Aunt Grace and Uncle Henry, who lived nearby, came over to help.

“Emma, why didn't Adrian come back with you?”

I shook my head.

“I don't know. He's probably busy.”

At dusk, Adrian arrived as scheduled for the pre-wedding family dinner.

Adrian's car stopped outside the yard. He stepped out first, while Chloe stood at his side like the lady of the house.

When they saw me, the smiles on both their faces faltered.

“Emma, why are you here?”