Chapter 2

Chloe was the first to speak:

"Tomorrow, let's go to the property office."

"The property office?" Mark sounded confused.

"To take Adam's name off the deed and put yours on it."

Chloe's voice was calm,

"This house should have been partly yours a long time ago."

A flash of wild joy appeared in Mark's eyes, but he quickly hid it. He feigned concern, grasping Chloe's hand:

"Chloe, are you feeling unwell after seeing that boat today? Don't force yourself."

"Force myself?"

Chloe pulled her hand away, a cold laugh escaping her,

"I just think a dead traitor's name doesn't belong on my home's deed."

She turned, looking directly into Mark's eyes:

"Or are you saying… you don't want to?"

Mark immediately pulled her into a hug, his voice betraying uncontrollable excitement:

"How could I! I just… I just feared you might still be thinking of him."

Chloe leaned against his chest, her muffled voice coming through:

"I just hate him. I hate myself for being so blind. Mark, don't ever bring him up again. I just want to live a good life with you."

"Then let's go handle the paperwork tomorrow."

Mark gently kissed her forehead,

"From now on, this will be our real home."

Hearing that, my soul trembled uncontrollably.

This house didn't just drain my savings; my parents also put in their life's retirement money.

Now, not only do they have to bear the pain of losing a son and the stigma of being "the traitor's family,"

but they will also be completely stripped of the only property their son left behind.

Mark, Chloe.

You're not just crushing my hopes, you're destroying my parents' last shred of life!

My memory flashed back to the spring four years ago,

I knelt on one knee, holding a diamond ring.

"Chloe, marry me."

She cried as she nodded,

"Adam, I do."

We embraced in this house. She said she wanted to hang our wedding photos on this wall.

I said yes, we'd take the most beautiful ones.

Mark. He was once the brother I respected most.

Once, during a drug bust, an out-of-control truck careened towards him. I instinctively pushed him out of the way.

Three ribs were broken, and my lung was punctured.

Mark held me, his face streaked with tears and snot.

"You idiot! Why would you shield me?!"

"Because you're my brother."

I coughed up blood, smiling at him.

From then on, I carried a scar that would never fade.

Every time Chloe saw it, her heart would ache, and tears would well up.

"Does it hurt?"

"No, it's worth it for a brother."

Later, he began to appear frequently in Chloe's and my life.

"This is perfume I had someone bring from abroad. Smell it, see if you like it."

"You must be bored alone at home. I'll take you to an art exhibition."

"Adam's not the romantic type. I've prepared a surprise for you on his behalf."

Chloe mentioned it to me more than once.

"Adam, isn't he a little *too* good to me? So good it feels… excessive."

"He keeps giving me such expensive gifts. How am I supposed to repay him?"

"He always says he'll take care of me when you're not around. I think it's weird."

Each time, I laughed it off for him.

"Chloe, he's just grateful I saved him, he wants to thank you, you know."

"He treats us like his younger siblings, there's no other meaning."

"We're brothers. He would never betray me."

Chloe frowned:

"But I always feel…"

"No buts," I cut her off.

"You women are just too suspicious. Mark is my brother; how could he ever hurt me?"

Looking back now, I was the biggest fool on earth.

All his care was a prelude to today.

Every warm greeting, every thoughtful gift, every gentle gaze,

they were all slowly eroding Chloe's heart.

And I, the idiot, couldn't see it.

My most trusted brother stabbed me in the back.

Mark, you played your part perfectly.