Chapter 2

2

“Auntie Martha, Happy New Year! Here’s a little present for you!”

Brooke’s playful voice chimed in just in time.

She unwrapped a crimson box, revealing an imported cashmere scarf.

Martha loved it instantly, draping it around her neck to check the mirror.

“Clara, where’s your gift?”

Brooke asked in an innocent tone, though her eyes brimmed with smug gloating.

“Don’t tell me you forgot?”

Embarrassment washed over me.

Ever since leaving the hospital, I had been swamped with security clearances for the aerospace project and rushed over in a hurry, completely forgetting a gift.

Just as I was about to apologize under Martha’s expectant gaze, a deep voice resonated behind me.

“It’s right here with me.”

Garrett opened a luxurious velvet box to reveal an exquisite red agate bracelet.

I glanced at him with gratitude. He avoided my gaze, but subtly brushed his pinky against mine.

He was offering a truce.

A flicker of warmth sparked in my chest.

For a split second, I questioned whether joining the classified space mission was the right choice.

When I walked toward the master bedroom, Brooke darted ahead, throwing herself across the bed.

“Clara, Garrett’s been sleeping in here with me these past few days to look after me. You don’t mind, right?”

Garrett couldn’t meet my eyes, clearly feeling guilty.

“Brooke isn’t well and needs close attention at night. Don’t read too much into it.”

The tiny spark of affection that had just rekindled was instantly doused in ice water.

*Stop humiliating yourself, Clara,* I warned myself inwardly.

“It’s fine. I’ll move my things to the guest room right now.”

Garrett clearly hadn’t anticipated my calm response.

His excuses cut short, replaced by disbelief.

“What did you just say?”

I didn’t answer. I simply walked into the guest room.

In the middle of the night, loud knocking woke me.

When I opened the door, Garrett grabbed my wrist with a thunderous look on his face.

He smelled faintly of whiskey. I didn’t want to engage, but he refused to let go.

“It’s just a room, Clara! Who do you think you’re threatening with this petty act?”

“And it’s just a piece of clothing! Did you really have to treat it like a priceless treasure?”

The resentment that had festered in my chest erupted under his relentless interrogation.

My eyes burned red, and overwhelming fury made my voice tremble with tears.

“Just a piece of clothing!?”

“That was my mother’s vintage wedding dress! Garrett, do you have any conscience left at all?”

Garrett sneered with utter contempt.

“So what? She’s dead! An old relic left behind is meant to be worn by the living!”

“Brooke loves it and wants to wear it! At the end of the day, you’re just completely selfish!”

“You bastard!”

A sharp sting radiated through my palm from how hard I slapped him.

Garrett froze, shocked that I had struck him, and rage blazed in his eyes.

“Garrett!” Brooke rushed out in a panic, cradling his face with visible heartbreak.

“Clara, I know you hate me! I can leave!”

“Please don’t take it out on Garrett! He’s the only one who made me feel like I had a real family again!”

Tears streamed down Brooke’s cheeks as she grabbed my hand.

“Clara, please apologize to Garrett right now. I know he’ll forgive you!”

Her face was full of frantic pleading, yet the mockery in her eyes was unmistakable.

“Get your filthy hands off me!” Disgusted to the core, I shoved Brooke away.

*Ah―!*

A bloodcurdling scream echoed through the hallway.

Brooke tumbled down the stairs, her lips turning purple as her eyes rolled back.

Garrett scrambled down the steps frantically, screaming her name over and over.

As I hurried down in shock to check on her, Garrett delivered a vicious kick straight to my abdomen.

“Clara, if anything happens to Brooke, I swear I’ll tear you apart!”

He scooped Brooke up and raced out the door toward the hospital.

He never noticed the dark puddle of blood spreading beneath me.