Chapter 3

The earring lay silently in the evidence bag, like a quiet eye, peering into all my secrets.

My mind went blank.

Caleb seemed satisfied with my reaction. He tucked the evidence bag back into his pocket.

"What, nothing to say?" He sneered, looking at me. "You were messing around with my brother, and then getting engaged to another man. Lena, you're quite something."

"It's not what you think between him and me," I took a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down.

"Then what is it?" He took a step closer. "Was my brother forcing you? Or were you just playing games, enjoying the thrill of two men chasing after you?"

His words were like daggers, piercing my heart.

"Neither."

"Then what is it? Tell me!" He suddenly exploded, sweeping everything off the desk.

Books, pen holder, lamp... crashing to the floor in a chaotic mess.

"You think I'll believe your innocent victim act?" He grabbed my shoulders, his grip so tight I felt my bones might shatter. "Everyone in your family, from inside out, is rotten!"

I was in too much pain to speak, letting him vent his fury.

Footsteps hurried outside the door. Mr. Davies and the maids rushed over, but seeing the scene inside, they froze, too scared to approach.

"Mr. [Caleb's Last Name]..." Mr. Davies cautiously began.

"Get out!" Caleb roared without turning around.

They scattered immediately.

Only the two of us remained in the room, along with his heavy, ragged breathing.

After a long while, he finally released me, shaking his hands in disgust, as if he'd touched something foul.

"Clean this mess up." He tossed the words over his shoulder and left the room.

I collapsed to the floor, drained of all strength, looking at the chaotic room, feeling utterly cold.

Caleb knew more than I thought.

I don't know how I managed to clean the room. By the time I finished, dawn was breaking.

I hadn't slept all night, yet I felt no tiredness.

The next day, Victoria came.

She wore a white dress, delicate makeup, looking fragile and beautiful.

She carried a thermos. The moment she entered, she grabbed my hand, her eyes red-rimmed.

"Lena, I made you some soup. You... were you okay yesterday?" She looked at me worriedly, her eyes subtly scanning my cheek.

There was a faint red mark there, left by the photo.

"I'm fine, Victoria," I pulled my hand back.

"Where's Mr. [Caleb's Last Name]?" she asked.

"In his study."

"Then I..." She hesitated. "I'll go say hello to him. Lena, don't blame him. He just loved his brother too much."

With that, she adopted her understanding facade and walked towards the study.

I didn't follow.

I sat on the living room sofa, clearly hearing snippets of their conversation from the study.

"Mr. [Caleb's Last Name], I'm so sorry... it's all my fault. If I had stopped Elias that day, he wouldn't have been hurt..." Victoria began to sob. "Please don't blame Lena, she didn't mean it, she's always been so..."

She didn't finish her sentence, but the implication was clear.

She always found a way, with just a few words, to completely clear herself and simultaneously dump a bucket of dirt on me.

A while later, the study door opened.

Victoria emerged, tears still clinging to her lashes.

Caleb followed behind her, his face grim.

"Lena, I've spoken with Mr. [Caleb's Last Name], and he won't make things difficult for you," Victoria walked up to me. "But you have to be obedient. Don't make him angry again, okay?"

Caleb didn't refute her, only watched me coldly.

"Victoria," he suddenly spoke. "You'll prepare my brother's memorial service."

Victoria paused, then nodded. "Yes, Mr. [Caleb's Last Name], I'll handle it."

"Good." Caleb looked at me. "As for you, Lena."

My heart jumped.

"You will kneel before my brother's altar and bow in penance," he said, word by word. "You'll keep bowing until every single guest is satisfied."