Chapter 2

I lunged forward to stop Noah.

He looked at me, his eyes filled with regret.

I pulled him into the room and, driven by the alcohol still burning inside me, my fingers fumbled at his belt.

"Noah… it's not your fault. It's all mine. I'll be the one to make it right."

Noah pulled me into his embrace and offered no resistance.

From that moment on, we were siblings in public, and lovers in private.

I thought that someday, our secret would be brought into the light.

Until today, I realized… it had all been my own wishful thinking.

I tossed every photo into the trash, slung my suitcase over my shoulder, and walked out of the house.

Just as I was about to hail a cab, I heard Noah's voice.

"Say goodbye to Lola before you go."

I turned toward the sound and, for the first time, saw the person standing behind him.

Lola wore a gentle smile. "Elena, long time no see."

I forced a stiff smile. "Lola."

She stepped closer and took my hand, her voice soft as she spoke about her life over the past few years.

But every story ended the same way. "I thought of Noah every single day."

I forced a smile and nodded along.

Then Lola leaned in, her tone playful yet edged, "Elena, tell me… has your brother been seeing anyone all this time?"

There was a subtle challenge in her voice, her gaze flicking toward the faint red marks on my neck.

I instinctively covered them.

Lola raised a knowing eyebrow. "Maybe Noah hadn't been dating… but it looks like you might have a boyfriend?"

Noah slid onto the bench beside her and let out a low chuckle.

"Elena's already engaged. We'll both be at the wedding."

Their closeness was natural, intimate, as if no one else existed.

I couldn't sit still any longer. Panic rising, I stood up abruptly.

"Noah… I—I should get going."

Lola paused, studied me for a moment, then stood up. "Your bag looks heavy. Let me carry it for you."

Before I could refuse, she'd already taken my suitcase in her quick hands. Smiling, she linked her arm through mine and guided me outside.

Along the way, she chatted lightly about funny memories she shared with Noah.

We only stopped when we reached the trash bin.

"Noah seems cold, but he's soft-hearted. So soft he couldn't even turn away his foster sister's advances."

She pointed at the photos in the trash, her smile curdling into a sneer.

"Elena… you're not the type to seduce your own brother, are you?"

The blood drained from my face. Panic locked me in place.

But Lola just laughed lightly.

Then, in a flash, she raised her hand and slapped her own face—hard.

I stared, stunned, unable to process what she'd just done.

Tears welled in her eyes.

"Elena! Even if you don't like me, you can't hit me!"

Before I could react, a sharp slap cracked beside my ear, followed by burning pain across my cheek.

I looked at Noah in disbelief.

He froze, staring at his own hand. "Elena, I…"

Before he could finish, Lola's tears spilled over again.

"Noah… maybe I shouldn't have come back. It's all my fault… If Elena hates me this much, maybe I should just leave."

She pushed him away, pretending to turn and go.

Noah immediately pulled her back into his arms, his voice trembling as he soothed her.

"Lola, I'm sorry… I never should have left you alone with her."

His voice shook with regret, heavy with fear and remorse—emotions he had never once shown for me.