Chapter II

I stared at her blankly, the corners of my mouth twitching into a smile more painful than a sob.

The gentle mother in my memories, the one who used to read fairy tales to me before bed, had finally been eroded.

Mother raised an eyebrow in satisfaction. "That's more like it. Mia is your sister. You already have enough; as the older sister, you should learn to share."

After Mother left, Mia pinned the brooch to her chest right in front of me and twirled before the mirror.

"Sister, don't blame Mom for being biased. To be honest, this brooch really suits my temperament better."

"Just like Caleb suits being my man better."

"Things that belong to me, no matter how big a detour they take, will eventually return to my hands."

Watching Mia's triumphant posturing, I said nothing.

For someone so immersed in their own performance, silence is the greatest contempt.

I picked up my clutch, ignored her, and walked past her toward the spiral staircase.

"Ah! Sister, why did you push me..."

Mia suddenly screamed. Without me even you're here, or my baby..."

Mia collapsed conveniently into Caleb's arms, delicate tear tracks on her face, trembling.

"It's okay, darling, I'm here." Caleb stroked Mia's back, his voice dripping with tenderness. "I won't let anyone hurt touching her, she threw herself backward in an exaggerated arch, pretending to stumble and fall onto the thick carpeted steps.

Despite my loathing for her, instinct took over, and I subconsciously reached out to grab her.

After all, if she really tumbled down, the consequences would be unthinkable.

"Harper Wayne, you vicious lunatic!"

Caleb rushed out from nowhere and violently swatted my outstretched hand away.

My hand smashed heavily against the solid wood banister, making a dull, sickening sound of bone on wood.

Intense pain instantly made me break out in a cold sweat.

"Caleb, thank god you or the child."

I looked at the back of my hand, which was swelling rapidly.

Then I looked at Mia, who had merely suffered a fright yet was being cradled by Caleb as if she were a rare treasure.

This scene was simply the world's most ironic absurdist play.

The man who once swore to shield me from every storm.

The fiancé who was supposed to be waiting for me at the altar in three months.

How could he have become so unrecognizable?

After soothing Mia, Caleb turned his head, staring at me with dark, malicious eyes. "I know you're resentful about me and Mia getting the certificate. You can take your anger out on me—after all, I acted without consulting you."

"But you cannot touch Mia. Her health is already fragile, and pregnancy is hard enough."

"She just wanted to give the child a legal identity. What is wrong with that? Why should she have to bear your jealousy and rage?"

He pointed a finger at me in anger. "You must apologize to Mia today!"

I struggled to control my body, which was shaking from both pain and fury.

Gritting my teeth, I asked, word by word: "Where was I wrong?"

"What exactly did I do wrong?"

Caleb looked at my bloodshot eyes and was momentarily at a loss for words.

"Forget it, Caleb. Even if I almost miscarried..."

"I don't blame Sister, and I don't need her apology."

"You two still have a wedding to hold, after all. I don't want to be the wedge between you."

Mia wept like a pear blossom bathed in rain, acting as if she were the most aggrieved angel on earth.

Caleb sighed, his eyes full of pity. "Mia, your kindness breaks my heart."

He turned back to me, looking at me with the cold eyes one reserves for a stranger. "When it comes down to it, you're just jealous of Mia. You can't stand to see her have even a little bit of happiness."

"This time, for the sake of Mia pleading for you, I won't hold it against you. But if you dare touch a single hair on her head again, don't blame me for forgetting our past."

He scooped Mia up in his arms, like a knight carrying a princess. Before leaving, he shook his head in disappointment. "Compared to your sister, you really are a disappointment."

In the empty hall of the mansion, I was left alone.

I gazed blankly at the bleak autumn scenery outside the French windows.

Finally, unable to hold it back, I crouched down, hugged myself, and sobbed aloud.

The last time...

This would be the last time I shed tears for the man named Caleb.

That afternoon, Caleb updated his Instagram with a nine-photo grid.

The photos showcased every corner of a luxury apartment on the Upper East Side.

The caption read: "Every lamp, every rug, every painting here was hand-picked by me. I only want to give my child the warmest safe haven."