Chapter 3

3

I fell into a deep, dreamless sleep and didn't wake up until the sun was high in the sky.

When I went downstairs, I found Alaric sitting on the sofa, reading a book.

He heard my footsteps and stood up to look at me.

“The penthouse on First Avenue is ready. Move in today if you don't have any issues.”

His voice was calm, as if he were just telling me what was for breakfast.

I wanted to say something, but my throat was so tight I couldn't make a sound.

I remembered how excited he was ten years ago when he showed me my new bedroom.

“Elena, I made sure your room is right next to mine. If you ever need me, I’ll hear you.”

Seeing me dazed, Alaric frowned, his voice becoming cold and commanding.

“Seraphina is moving in soon. It’s not convenient for you to stay here.”

“After all, you aren't a Blackwood. You can't stay here forever.”

He didn't give me another glance as he put on his coat to leave.

I tried to stop my hands from shaking, but my eyes were burning.

“Okay. I’ll pack and leave today.”

Alaric paused at the door, but he didn't turn around.

“Don't bother packing much. The place is fully furnished. Just take the essentials. I’m throwing everything else out.”

“Move today. I’m going to pick up Seraphina now.”

The heavy front door slammed shut, cutting off my view of him.

I went back to my room and looked at every piece of furniture.

Alaric had handpicked all of it. Every trinket on the shelves was a gift from him.

I didn't know what he considered “worthless.”

Was it the little angel statue he spent weeks carving? Or the sapphire necklace he bought with his first paycheck?

As my fingers brushed over these things, tears finally spilled over.

I remembered my eighteenth birthday. Alaric had given me a medallion and looked at me with such certainty.

“Elena, you’ll achieve your dreams. You’ll be the best scientist in the world.”

He had forgotten to wipe the dirt off his knees that day.

I never told him that I had seen him at the temple.

Alaric was a hardcore atheist, yet he had knelt and crawled up that mountain in the summer heat.

His expensive suit was ruined, and his hands were red from the hot stone steps.

But when he looked at the altar, his eyes were filled with a desperate, holy devotion.

All of that effort was just to get me a lucky charm for my exams.

Maybe Alaric was just too good of a person. I never realized that his kindness was actually a shackle.

Now that I was no longer a helpless orphan, his responsibility was over. He was finally free from the prison of raising me.

I left the medallion on the nightstand next to our childhood photo. I only packed the family portrait of my biological parents.

I didn't want to take anything that reminded me of him.

My suitcase looked pathetic and empty.

I realized that every thread of my life was woven with Alaric. Without him, I was just an empty shell.

I heard the front door open downstairs and rushed to close my suitcase.

I hadn't noticed it had started snowing outside.

Alaric was tenderly brushing snowflakes off Seraphina’s coat in the foyer.

As he leaned in to clear the frost from her hair, they were inches apart.

Seraphina laughed and threw herself into his arms.

“Don't wipe it off. They say if you walk in the snow together, you’ll grow old together. Isn't that romantic?”

Alaric smiled, pinching her nose playfully.

“It’s romantic, but I’d rather you didn't catch a cold. We need to be healthy to grow old together, right?”

I was caught off guard and tried to hide, but my clumsy footsteps gave me away.

Seraphina acted shy and hid behind Alaric’s arm.

Alaric immediately took her hand, whispering a soft reassurance.

When he looked at me, the warmth vanished. He stared at my suitcase for a moment.

“Finished packing? Seraphina and I have things to do, so I won't see you out. The driver is waiting.”

“Sister-in-law.”

The word felt like ash in my mouth. My heart felt like it was being drained of blood.

Alaric frowned when I just stood there like a statue.

“Elena, I don't remember raising you to be this rude. Say hello to your sister-in-law.”