Chapter 2

02

Declan didn't get home until late that night, trailing a heavy scent of lily perfume.

That was Melanie's favorite fragrance.

For the first time in our five years of marriage, I didn't get up to welcome him home.

Declan climbed into bed and wrapped his arms around me from behind.

"What's wrong, babe? Still mad?"

I shook my head silently, refusing to speak.

He got up and warmed a glass of milk for me.

"Come on, drink this, or you won't be able to sleep well."

Ever since we got married, Declan warmed milk for me every single night.

That was just how Declan loved. When he cared about someone, he gave them his entire heart.

He remembered every little habit and tolerated every bad mood.

Exhausted, I drifted into an uneasy sleep.

I dreamt of the year we first met.

I was ten when both my parents died in a tragic car accident.

The Reed family took me in because Declan's grandfather and mine were brothers-in-arms who had survived wars together.

They enrolled me in an elite private school where I stuck out like a sore thumb.

Naturally, I became an easy target for bullies.

One afternoon, a group of mean girls cornered me in an empty classroom after school.

Declan was the one who saved me.

"What do you think you're doing? Picking on my little sister?"

Declan was the notorious rebel of the school. The moment he spoke, the bullies turned as timid as mice.

They stammered out apologies and scattered.

Declan looked down at me. "From now on, you ride with me. Don't bother taking the city bus anymore."

"Being Declan Reed's sister isn't something to be embarrassed about."

I nodded obediently.

He reached out and playfully ruffled my hair into a mess.

Blushing with indignation, I pouted. "Stop messing up my hair!"

Declan chuckled, his eyes bright. "Look at that, you do have a temper. Next time they mess with you, fight back."

"What if they have people backing them up?" I asked softly.

Declan leaned in and gently flicked my forehead.

"Silly girl. You have me. We're family."

'Family' was the word I craved the most. After losing my parents, I had no one left in the world.

Declan was the one who taught me to fight back when bullied.

Yet today, he was the one who turned a blind eye while others stepped all over me.