Chapter 3

3：

Facing Ian's mocking smirk, I responded coldly.

"Fine. Since you've taken such good care of my parents for three years, I'll bring a huge gift."

Ian thought I was backing down and let out a triumphant grin.

I didn't want to waste any more time with them. I turned and went to my room.

Even with the door shut, I could hear their conversation from downstairs.

"Ian, a man like him doesn't deserve to be at your party," my father said.

"Exactly," Serena added. "You just got married. Why invite him to ruin the mood?"

"Dad, Serena, he's still my brother. I can't just abandon him," Ian replied.

My mother sighed heavily. "You're just too kind-hearted..."

Their voices blurred. I looked out the window and sighed.

The bitterness pulled my thoughts back to a month ago.

On the day I was released, I hauled my own luggage across town to get home.

I expected a warm welcome.

Instead, the butler told me the whole family was at the engagement party for Ian and Selene.

I rushed to the venue. The first thing I saw was the two of them kissing to a round of applause.

It felt like a knife to the chest.

The pain was so sharp I lost my mind. I grabbed a wine bottle from a nearby table and hurled it at the stage.

The bottle shattered against the wall, the sound echoing through the hall.

Ian immediately pulled Selene behind him.

"Silas, you're back! Please, don't be impulsive..."

Selene hid behind him, her eyes full of fear and disgust.

The guests started whispering. I became the villain in an instant.

I stood there, my ears ringing, feeling like the whole world was laughing at me.

Before anyone could react, security guards surrounded me and dragged me out.

Outside, my father slapped me across the face so hard my vision blurred.

"Silas Sterling! What is wrong with you?!" he roared.

"You're back for one day and you're already trying to tear this family apart?"

My mother tried to play the peacemaker. "Silas, just apologize to your father. If you stop being so difficult, there's still a place for you in this house."

That was when I realized I was just an optional pawn to them.

A knock on the door snapped me back to the present.

I opened it to find my father's cold stare.

"I'm giving this entire floor to Ian and Selene. Move your things to the basement."

I instinctively asked, "Why?"

"They are newlyweds. You just got out of prison; you'll bring bad luck into their space. Don't you have any common sense?"

His voice was as hard as iron.

My mother stood behind him. "Silas, don't be selfish. Listen to your father. It's just a room."

I had heard those words a thousand times. Since Ian arrived, I had to give up everything he liked.

When I first got home, they moved me to a tiny corner room. Now, even that was too much for them.

If you can't fit into their world, don't force it.

Luckily, I was leaving soon.

I swallowed the bitterness and took a deep breath. "Fine."