Chapter 3

With that, she grabbed her bag and left.

I stood there, hearing Mom's weak voice.

"Autumn, don't argue with your sister. It hasn't been easy for her these past five years!"

My wrist ached faintly from the handcuffs, the chafing a reminder of three days in custody.

I suppressed the pain and looked at Mrs. Hayes.

"Mom, haven't you seen how she's dressed now?"

"Does that look like it 'hasn't been easy'?"

"Do you know she's about to marry Julian Vance?"

Mrs. Hayes's eyes darted away, clearly knowing everything.

"Your sister getting to be with someone she loves makes me happy, dear."

But my chest felt heavy, as if stuffed with cotton.

Mom clearly knew I had once loved Julian too.

I couldn't help but ask.

"Mom, when Dad had his car accident and you fell ill, Sis took all the family's money and left the country without a word. Don't you blame her?"

Mrs. Hayes shook her head, her voice low.

"No, I don't blame her. I never wanted your sister to stay and suffer."

I froze for a moment, then asked, my voice trembling.

"What about me, then?"

Mrs. Hayes remained silent, avoiding my gaze.

Sometimes, silence is the answer. My heart felt like it was bleeding.

I took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil within, and spoke again.

"Mom, now that Sis is back, let her take care of you from now on."

"No."

Mrs. Hayes refused without a second thought.

"Your sister has never suffered hardship since she was little, nor has she taken care of anyone. Besides, she's getting married soon. How can she take care of a sick person like me?"

Sister can't take care of her? But how can I?

I had never felt so utterly disappointed.

"Mom, I wasn't born knowing how to take care of people either."

Mrs. Hayes didn't respond, nor did she acknowledge my suggestion about Violet taking care of her.

She just kept talking about how difficult things were for Violet.

How much Violet had suffered struggling alone overseas.

And that I should be more accommodating to Violet.

I listened silently, offering no response. Only after Mom fell asleep did I leave.

Just outside the hospital.

The strong wind tousled my hair, and raindrops slapped my face like a series of harsh blows.

By the time I took the bus back to my rented apartment complex, I was completely soaked.

I trudged up to the top floor, breathless.

As I took out my keys from my canvas bag, I looked up and saw Julian Vance’s tall figure standing at my door.

His sharp suit and tie looked completely out of place in this run-down neighborhood.

Seeing Julian again, I couldn't help but feel nervous.

"Julian, you…"

Before I could finish, Julian cut in.

"I found your address from your records. How did you end up like this?"

I looked down at my soaked, cheap clothes, my throat dry.

I feigned composure, my hand trembling as I unlocked the door, and replied.

"Like what? I think I'm doing just fine."

Hearing this, Julian seemed annoyed.

"Do you even know what 'fine' means?"

"You and your sister are from the same parents. She worked hard abroad, got into Melbourne University, and earned her degree."

"And you? All these years, you've only caused trouble, just wasting yourself away."

Julian's harsh reprimand felt like a series of slaps, making my face burn.

I couldn't hold back any longer.

"Julian, do you know that all the money my sister used for her studies abroad, I gave it to her?"

In that moment, Julian was utterly disappointed.

"You're lying again. When Violet was abroad, I visited her regularly.

"I know perfectly well whether she used your money or not."