Chapter 2

I should have been calm and unaffected. But Simon’s expression grew increasingly mocking as he flipped through the love letters. He even read some of them aloud, and it utterly humiliated me.

I bit my bottom lip hard and stared at his hand. “Put them down.”

Simon did not put the letters down. Instead, he seemed amused by my uncharacteristic display of defiance, and this piqued some sort of twisted interest in him.

He sneered before slamming the love letters down.

The letters scattered everywhere. Every page was filled with his name and my burning but humble love for him.

I froze as he reached out and roughly messed up my hair. “I know you’ve had a crush on me for a long time! Everyone else knows. But who would fall for their stepsister? Your love is worthless and suffocating. It disgusts me!

“The smartest thing you ever did was not throw yourself at me to get rid of that poison from me. I can’t imagine having to marry you! Thank God, you weren’t that stupid!

“I didn’t accept your love in the past…” He glanced at the love letters on the floor. “...and I definitely won’t accept it now!”

I began to tear up, not because of his insults, but because of my anger toward him.

In my previous life, he had doted on me. He knew my feelings for him had gone beyond what siblings should share, yet he indulged me. When I finally tried to take things seriously, he spat out the words, “We’re siblings.”

“Are you done? Please leave now.”

He studied my calm expression with a deep frown, and his expression darkened further.

“Leave?” he repeated my words. “Irina, you’ve gotten bold lately. You pretended to be generous while we were having breakfast earlier. Now, you’re giving me that look?! What’s wrong with you? Are you trying to manipulate me and get my attention?”

He stepped closer and braced one of his arms against the wall beside me. “Remember, you’re my stepsister, and you always will be. I’ll forgive you this time for Father’s sake, but it will be the last.

“If you dare speak ill of Camillia in front of Father again or show me that despicable attitude of yours…”

Simon deliberately paused for a moment, and I felt his warm breath on my face.

“I’ll personally throw you out of this house and let you rot like a stray dog!”

A shiver ran down my spine, and it felt as if a knife had been driven straight into my chest.

“Got it.” I looked down and avoided his gaze.

Even so, I still felt a sharp pain in my chest upon hearing those words from his own mouth.

Simon shot me a warning glare for a few seconds before slamming the door behind him.

After he left, I picked up the love letters and cards. Then, I tossed all of them into the fireplace.

That afternoon, I went to see the old Don in his study.

“Father, I’d like to have my credit card back,” I said softly. “I’ve decided to study abroad.”

The old Don fell silent and took a slow drag from his cigar. “If that’s what you’ve decided on, go ahead.

“This will always be your home.”

I smiled in relief. “Thank you, Father.”

Once I had the money, I applied for my passport. Over the next two weeks, I left early in the morning and came home late at night.

One night, I pushed open my room door in exhaustion. I wanted to get a good rest, but the sight before me made me freeze.

The place was a mess.

Someone had ransacked my wardrobe and pulled the drawers wide open. They had even lifted the corner of my mattress.

My jewelry box laid open, with several necklaces and bracelets missing. However, what sent a chill down my spine was the missing pearl necklace by my bedside.

It was not worth a lot, and the pearls were not even round. In fact, they were a little yellowed with age. But it was one of the few keepsakes my mother had left behind for me.

I charged out of the room and searched everywhere. Finally, I bumped into Camillia in the garden.

The pearl necklace was around her neck.

I did not mind her taking my clothes and jewelry for her vanity. But I did not understand why a vain woman like her would even care about an old necklace.

She definitely did it on purpose.

“Give it back to me!” I rushed over and grabbed the necklace.

“Ah!” Camillia screamed before staggering back to avoid me.

“Irina!” Simon reacted instantly and pulled me away. “Did everything I said go in one ear and out the other? What the hell’s gotten into you?!”

I trembled in anger. “That necklace is mine!”

He frowned in response. “It’s just an old necklace. Camellia likes it, so what’s the harm in letting her have it for a while? There’s no need to lose your manners and strike her over such a petty thing.”

I yanked my hand out of his grasp and pointed at the necklace around Camillia’s neck. “Simon, open your eyes and look at it carefully! Don’t you recognize it?”

Simon shifted his gaze to the necklace in annoyance. He was about to take a closer look when Camillia pressed her hand to her stomach and leaned weakly against him. “Simon, my stomach hurts…”

She looked up at him, and her eyes glistened with tears. “I haven’t had the chance to tell you yet. I’m pregnant.”

“Pregnant?” Simon quickly caught her in his arms, and the trace of hesitation on his face instantly faded. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner? How many weeks has it been?”

Camillia let out a soft whimper and glanced at me timidly. “A week. I wanted the fetus’s condition to be more stable before surprising you. But Irina scared our baby, and it hurts so much!”

Simon hugged Camillia tightly. His voice turned cold when he looked at me again. “That necklace belongs to Camillia now. From this moment on, her feelings are all that matter.”

Then, he left with one arm around her. “Get back to your room and reflect on yourself.”

I was rooted to the spot as I watched them leave, and my whole body was numb from the cold.

However, I would not allow myself to suffer anymore because of Simon.

I needed to get out of here.