Chapter 2

If it were in the past, I would have swung a broom at Jenn's mouth. Now, I just looked at the three of them calmly. "You're overthinking it. I'm just here to get my ID. You three can continue. If necessary, I'll tie the curtains tighter for you when I go out."

After saying that, I took my ID and left. I was afraid that I would break down if I stayed for another second.

However, Quentin grabbed me, showing no intention of letting me go.

"What are you talking about? What's there to continue? Jenn is sick, and we're just taking care of her. Elise Young, I never realized that your mind could be so filthy. If this gets out, how will Jenn live her life? Can you bear the consequences if she can't take it?"

Before I could speak, Lennon also roared, "Hurry and apologize!"

Turning back, I glared at them. Even though I had warned myself not to be upset, I still failed at holding back my tears.

Sobbing, I cried out, "Even your own sister or your own fiancée isn't as important as an outsider! You all revolve around her when she has a fever. I was injured in the earthquake and was in bed for a month, but you guys never worried about me or even bothered to take a look. Won't you feel the slightest bit sad even if I died?"

Seeing my face covered in tears, Quentin became a bit flustered. Even his tone softened a little as he spoke.

"It's not that I wasn't worried about you. It's just that Jenn got a big fright from the earthquake and started having nightmares all night. We could only take turns staying by her side. Later, she helped everyone build the workshed and caught a cold. We really couldn't find the time to see you."

His words instantly froze my heart. I was already filled with self-deprecation to begin with. What else was there to say? I would only embarrass myself by arguing any further.

Jenn shivered again, hugging herself and shouting for Quentin non-stop.

Quentin gave me a meaningful look and said to me as if he were doing charity, "Enough. Watch your words from now on. You're a grown adult, but you keep getting jealous over a child. If word about this gets out, you'll be a joke!"

After saying that, he sat back on the bed and put Jenn's feet in his arms to warm them up.

Until I left, neither Quentin nor Lennon noticed that my right leg limped a little when walking.

After leaving, I returned home. My house was still alright. Only one wall had collapsed, and my previous room was still there. I climbed over the collapsed hole and crawled in. I simply packed a few clothes from my wardrobe and took a few books.

When I was about to leave, I saw the neatly folded quilt at the head of the bed. I had embroidered the patterns myself—all in pairs. But since the wedding was off, it was a waste to let him have it.

I found a rope to tie it up and was about to take it out, but Quentin rushed over right at this moment. He saw me throwing the quilt on the ground and seemed a little dissatisfied.

"What are you doing? Enough. Are you really going to break up with me over such a small matter? Besides, everyone in the village knows that you and I are engaged. Are you going to leave the village if you don't marry me?"

I wanted to tell him directly that I was leaving, but I held back the words at the tip of my tongue and only answered flatly, "There's rat poop on it. It's dirty!"

Quentin's expression relaxed a bit, but he kicked the quilt away in disgust. "Throw it away, then. Jenn is most afraid of rats. If she finds out, she'll have nightmares again! I plan to postpone the wedding by two months. You have plenty of time to embroider another quilt."

I lost my footing and was about to fall when I heard that. He immediately stepped forward to help me, but I soon heard Jenn's delicate cry from behind, and then I fell straight to the ground.

"Haha! Elise is so funny. She still falls even though she's a grown-up!" Jenn was leaning on Quentin as she pointed at me, laughing at me without holding back.

I rubbed my leg that had not recovered, stood back up, and limped away while holding the quilt.

"Elise, what happened to your leg?"

"Yes! As you can see, it's injured!"

Quentin seemed to have finally noticed what was off with me and wanted to help me, but Jenn, who was whimpering, refused to let go. Just as he had said, he could not get away from Jenn.

Lennon had come over at some point. Seeing my dusty face, he started lecturing me again, "If you're injured, rest. Why are you running around? If it gets serious, we won't have time to take care of you!"

After that, he stepped forward to support Jenn. The two men stood on either side of her, acting like they were a princess' bodyguards.

A gust of wind blew, and dust got into my eyes, making my tears flow again. They used to protect me like this back then. However, ever since Jenn came into the picture, everything changed. I was just stupid and did not realize it until now.

I followed behind, stepping in the mud. Suddenly, there was a bang, and the beams collapsed again.

I squatted down while clutching my head as if by reflex. The fear of being pressed underground for three days and three nights rushed back to me. I was so nervous that I stammered and desperately screamed for help, "Lennon! Quentin! Save me! Please don't leave me! I'm here!"

However, there was no sound of footsteps. I only heard them calling out for Jenn.