Chapter 3

3.

I couldn't stand to watch any longer. I quietly slipped away.

The tears I had been holding back finally spilled over, staining the floor as I walked.

I sat in the living room for a long time, watching the clock on the wall countdown the minutes.

Thankfully, I would be leaving in two days.

I would never have to come back here.

Eventually, Celine came downstairs. Her lips looked a little more swollen and red than when she arrived.

I looked away, pretending not to notice.

But Celine walked straight toward me, giving me instructions with a smug look on her face.

"Sebastian is finally asleep. Be quiet and don't wake him."

"I'm busy lately and can't come by often. You must take care of him. Don't let him get hurt again."

"He has a bit of a temper, but he's a good man. If he's mean to you, come find me. I'll make him apologize."

She took my hand, the triumph in her eyes impossible to hide.

I pulled my hand back and couldn't help but snap back.

"I'm his fiancée. I don't need you telling me what to do."

The smirk on her face widened into a sneer.

"Do you really think you'd be with him if I hadn't let you?"

"You think way too much of yourself. I'm the woman he dreams about. You're just my replacement."

"Know your place and act like a good little backup."

Strangely, because my heart was already shattered, I didn't feel any anger.

"Whether I'm a replacement or not isn't for you to say."

"At least I'm the one with the ring. If the wedding didn't happen today, it'll happen another time."

"You―!"

Celine's face twisted with rage, her voice rising.

Then, she took a deep breath and smoothed her hair.

"Hmph. You only win with your mouth. I'll let you have this one because I'm in a good mood."

"Next time, I'll have you kicked out of this house."

"Who do you think Sebastian will listen to? You or me?"

With that, she stomped out, slamming the door behind her.

I lost all my strength and collapsed onto the sofa, gasping for air.

Sebastian walked down the stairs, his voice full of criticism.

"Why do you have to pick a fight with her? I told you, she's just like a sister to me..."

My eyes landed on the faint smear of lipstick near his mouth. I couldn't help but scoff.

"You two seem to have a very close relationship for siblings."

He looked startled and quickly wiped his mouth.

"It was an accident. Can you stop overthinking everything?"

He walked over, his gaze heavy.

But that excuse was pathetic.

I couldn't imagine any "accidental" scenario that would leave lipstick on his mouth.

When I first arrived in this world, I knew no one. I only knew how to stay by his side.

Everyone thought I was crazy for shamelessly chasing a man who belonged to Celine.

He never explained anything back then. He just said:

"Don't get any ideas. I won't leave Celine to be with you completely."

I had locked myself in my room, refusing to eat or see him.

He had kicked the door down and dragged me out, his expression cold as ice.

"You think if you starve yourself to death, I'll care? You'd be better off eating something."

I had interpreted that as his clumsy way of comforting me.

And just like that, I let myself be fooled.

No matter what people said after that, I didn't care.

When people called me his lapdog, his expression never changed.

But now, he was worried I'd think badly of his precious Celine. He wouldn't even let me criticize her.

I lowered my head and wiped away a stray tear.

"You're right. I was overthinking."

Sebastian looked at me skeptically.

I continued.

"Next time I see her, I'll apologize."