A Heart Gone Cold

I simply chuckled coldly and said nothing."Jolene, don't blame Douglas and Marcel. They were just worried about me," Mona said softly and meekly. "Douglas has already explained everything to me. Don't worry. I was an orphan to begin with. If you want me to take your place in marriage, I'll do it without hesitation. Even if you asked me to die, I would still do it…"As she spoke, her eyes instantly reddened, and her voice became choked with emotions."Mona, don't say that. In my heart, you'll always be my sister." Douglas tenderly ruffled her hair—a gesture that had once been reserved only for me."That's right, Mona. We'll keep thinking of a solution. Don't worry. I'll never let you marry someone else!" Marcel declared with conviction, completely forgetting the promises he had once made to me.Watching their affectionate display for each other, I felt a wave of nausea churn in my stomach. Once, I had been their cherished sister and sweetheart. Now, I was nothing more than an outs

Douglas' voice came through the phone, laced with impatience.When I heard him say "nonsense", I tightened my grip on the phone, silently repeating that word in my mind as a bitter ache welled up in my chest.These past few days, as I lay in the hospital bed, I felt as if every bone in my body had been crushed. The pain pierced deep into my soul.Yet Douglas, my only family member, said that it was nonsense.Perhaps realizing his tone was too harsh, Douglas softened his voice. "I know you've been hurt, but Mona didn't mean it. You should be more understanding of her. I haven't been back these days, and you've suffered…"He paused, as if carefully choosing his words, before finally letting out a sigh. "Jolene, when will you ever grow up? Mona is about to get married. As her brother, I just want to spend her last free days with her. Is that too much to ask?"Not wanting to engage further, I pulled out my earbuds and got into the car without saying another word.The door closed, sh

With a single tap, I forwarded Mona's arrogant messages to Marcel and demanded coldly, "Look at what she sent me. Do they sound like something a delicate and innocent person would say?""Jolene, don't you dare slander her! Mona isn't that kind of person!" Marcel roared furiously.I scoffed. "Not that kind of person? Then what is she? A sweet little saint who steals someone else's fiancé and brother?" I paused, my tone turning icy. "Marcel, I must've been blind to ever fall for someone like you—a scumbag who can't tell right from wrong and twists everything.""What are you talking about?" Marcel's voice became audibly flustered. "Jolene, listen to me. I can explain. Mona and I—"I cut him off. "Save it. I already know everything. How romantic of you to propose to her by the river. I wish you and your sweet little saint a happy marriage and many children.""No, Jolene. Just let me explain—"Marcel kept trying to explain, but I had no patience left. I hung up and blocked his number

Mona gripped me hard—so hard that her nails dug deep into my flesh. A sharp pain shot through me, forcing a gasp from my lips.I wrenched my arm free and said coldly, "Mona, haven't you made enough of a scene? Did three years in the Greer family make you forget your place? You're just the adopted daughter—what gives you the right to call Douglas your brother, let alone lay claim to that arranged marriage?""You're talking nonsense!" Mona shrieked, her face twisting into a terrifying snarl. "Marcel already proposed to me! And Douglas has promised to change my last name to Greer! I was so close to having a family, a brother, and a lover! Why did this happen? I should have killed you when I had the chance!"Her tears fell dramatically, yet her eyes burned with venom.Seeing her pitiful yet despicable display, I felt only disgust. "Close? Kill me? So you finally admit it."I let out a cold laugh as I ruthlessly exposed her façade. "You thought I didn't know about the dirty things you'