Farewell to Love, Farewell to Us

Winnie Jewel's POV

After receiving my aunt, Gianna Jewel's, affirmative reply, I intended to leave, but my feet remained rooted to the spot outside the hospital room, refusing to budge.

Inside, mocking voices continued.

Caleb Smith's best friend, Kevin Baker, bragged, "Vivian, you don't know the full history of our pranks yet, do you? Let me fill you in now.

"The first April Fool's Day after Winnie returned to the family, we tricked her into believing that Caleb's company was going bankrupt and desperately needed three million dollars. She drained her entire savings and even took out a bank loan to cover it. Caleb later used that money to buy you a dress.

"The second year, we prepared the ugliest dress imaginable and told her that Caleb wanted her to wear it to a gala. She actually showed up in it. Thinking back on how everyone laughed at her still cracks me up."

Kevin laughed and continued down the list. "The third year, we told her that Caleb was exhausted from courting her and was ready to give up. She was so terrified of losing him that she immediately agreed to be his girlfriend the very next day.

"Today's prank makes eight. We just tricked her into donating two pints of blood for nothing. Just one more prank, and our perfect set of nine will be complete. Poor Caleb has had to pretend to be devoted all these years."

Caleb let out a scornful laugh. "You've been miserable with the cold lately, Vivi. If putting up with Winnie makes you happy, I don't mind the sacrifice."

Vivian Jewel straightened up, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "So, what's your plan for the ninth prank?"

"We'll pull off the ninth one at Caleb's wedding," Kevin crowed. "Just imagine it. The officiant asks, 'Caleb Smith, do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?' and Caleb bellows, 'Absolutely not!' It's going to be hysterical."

Outside, I leaned against the wall and slowly slid down until I was crumpled on the floor. Pulling my knees close, I buried my face as silent sobs tore through me.

I had grown up in an orphanage. The Jewels didn't find me until I was 16.

I thought that coming home would finally mean having parents who loved me. Instead, they only cared about Vivian—the impostor who had taken my place. They were even willing to throw me out again just to keep her happy.

That was when Caleb showed up. He pursued me year after year, playing the role of the devoted admirer to perfection.

The day I finally said yes to his proposal, he burst into tears of joy—a reaction strikingly unlike the aloof, untouchable heir everyone knew him to be.

He had hidden the truth so well. I was so caught up in his supposed devotion that I forgot—when Vivian was a child, my parents were constantly away on business. It was Caleb, her nominal "uncle", who had practically raised her.

So, between Vivian and me? There was never really a choice.

The door suddenly swung open. Caleb saw me huddled outside, my tear-streaked face clearly shocking him.

He rushed over and gently wiped the tears from my cheeks. "Winnie? Why are you crying? Did someone hurt you?"

I shook my head. "Kevin told me that you'd been in a racing accident—"

He cut me off before I could finish speaking. "Kevin's talking nonsense again. You know you can't believe anything he says."

Relief washed over his face as he pulled me into his arms. "Seeing you cry kills me. Even though you're still beautiful when you cry, I can't bear it. Come on, let's get you home."

At that moment, his sweet talk no longer worked on me.