Chapter 2

That female colleague wore a well-fitted camel coat, a distinctly men's scarf covering most of her face.

And Julian, usually so aloof, was gently smiling as he plucked a jacaranda blossom from her long hair.

In that moment, I ran.

It wasn't until my flight back home was about to take off that I received Julian's message.

【I’m here. Where are you?】

I didn't reply. I deleted Julian's chat.

For the next five years, we never saw each other again.

Until today…

Just then, a familiar female voice interrupted my thoughts.

"Julian, what took you so long? Mom's waiting for us to come home for dinner."

I looked up to see a woman intimately linking arms with Julian, looking up at him and smiling.

Julian showed no resistance to her touch.

Perhaps sensing my gaze, the woman looked in my direction.

Our eyes met, and I froze.

It was my sister, Violet Hayes, who had disappeared for five years!

Seeing Violet, elegantly dressed in designer brands, I rushed forward.

"Sis, you're back!"

Violet frowned, looking at me.

"How dare you still call me 'Sis'?"

"Working at The Skyline Club, did you ever think about Mom and me?"

Hearing Violet's words, I was confused.

"Sis, what are you talking about?"

"You ran off abroad alone. Five whole years. Did you know Mom got sick? If I hadn't…"

My words were cut short by Violet.

"Are you going to say you worked in that kind of place because you were paying for Mom's medical treatment?"

"Can you stop spouting such blatant lies?"

"When Dad had his car accident, and Mom fell ill, you ran off with a man! If I hadn't been studying and working abroad, sending money back all these years—"

The word "died" remained unsaid.

I was stunned.

"Sis, what are you saying?! I clearly—"

Violet interrupted me again, her voice cold.

"Julian and I are getting married soon. You don't need to put on a show for us in front of him."

"I know you used to like him, but he's your brother-in-law now."

"Don't go after him again, understand?"

With that, Violet linked arms with Julian and drove away.

I watched them leave, rooted to the spot.

I couldn't understand how my sister, Violet Hayes, could tell such bold-faced lies.

Five years ago, after Dad's car accident and Mom falling ill, Violet secretly left the country.

The few times she contacted me from abroad, it was always to say she was in trouble and needed money!

Mom was hospitalized long-term, undergoing three major surgeries, and Violet never once showed concern…

Just then, my cracked phone screen lit up with a call.

It was the hospital.

I quickly answered. A polite female voice came through the line.

"Ms. Hayes, your mother's hospital bills have been overdue for a week. Please settle them as soon as possible. Otherwise, the hospital can't guarantee continued medical services."

I awkwardly promised.

"I'll pay it soon."

I hailed a taxi and went home.

After showering and changing, I cooked chicken congee for Mom before rushing to the city hospital.

After paying the overdue hospital bills, I went to the ward.

I immediately saw my sister, Violet Hayes, there.

I hurried forward.

"Sis, why did you lie in front of Julian today?"

Violet scoffed.

"I'm your sister. It's none of your business what I do."

"If you dare expose me, I'll ruin you!"