Chapter 2

That night, I went back to my apartment.

I packed everything Damian had left at my place over the past ten years into cardboard boxes.

Spare shirts. Old albums. The pen he always used. And an entire box of manuscripts he'd never taken back.

Ten years of accumulated things filled seven boxes.

I contacted a realtor. I was going to sell the apartment.

At three in the morning, he posted a group photo from the restaurant.

Chloe was wearing his jacket, leaning on his shoulder.

Ethan was cutting cake for her.

Sebastian was crouched beside her, tending to her scraped knee.

The caption was one line.

[What a day. At least our little princess isn't scared anymore.]

I closed the post and personally delivered the last box to Moretti Company's front desk.

The next morning, Chloe sent a voice message to the family group.

"Sis, are you still mad at me?"

"Last night Damian and our brothers stayed with me because they were afraid I'd have nightmares."

"I already told them to go back to you, but they said you're an adult. You won't fall apart just because he's not there."

She paused, her tone growing more pitiful.

"Sis, please don't be mad at me."

Damian replied instantly.

[You don't need to make yourself miserable for her sake.]

Ethan followed.

[She just can't stand seeing someone else being doted on.]

Sebastian was more direct.

[She's a Moretti daughter too. What right does she have to control you?]

I was about to leave the group chat.

Damian privately sent a photo of a chestnut cake.

[Saved this for you. Stop sulking.]

The year my mother died, I was devastated. I couldn't eat anything.

To get me to eat, he cycled through chefs and tried every trick he could think of.

In the end, the only thing I could stomach was this chestnut cake.

He'd sighed in relief and smiled.

"My noble princess finally decided to eat."

"From now on, whenever you see chestnut cake, don't be sad anymore. Okay?"

After that, every time we fought, if he brought one home, I'd forgive him.

But this time, I only replied a few words.

[Don't need it.]

His message came immediately.

[What are you still fighting about?]

[When we redo the signing ceremony, we'll still be there with you.]

[Stop throwing tantrums over every little thing.]

The next message revealed his real purpose.

[Chloe has a headache. There's medicine in the emergency kit in your car.]

[Bring it to the hotel right now.]

So the cake wasn't an apology.

It was payment for running an errand for Chloe.

I didn't reply.

Ten minutes later, Ethan called.

"Where's Chloe's medicine?"

"There's a pharmacy downstairs. She can buy it herself. Why do I have to deliver it?"

He laughed like he'd heard a joke.

"When did you become so selfish? You're going to make an issue out of this too?"

"Chloe almost got into a car accident. Of course we're taking care of her!"

"If Mom were still alive, she'd be ashamed of how you're treating Chloe."

I gripped the phone. My chest ached.

Before my mother died, she held my brothers' hands and made them promise to take care of me.

But after Chloe was brought into the Moretti family, that dying wish was rewritten.

I had to give in to her.

I had to comfort her.

I had to share everything I had with her.

Otherwise, I was the villain.

"I'm not delivering it."

Ethan's voice went cold.

"Vivian, stop being unreasonable."

"Keep this up, and without the Moretti family backing you, who's going to support your company?"

"At least Chloe is sweet, sensible, and lovable."

"She's more of a Moretti daughter than you are."

The call ended. Then Sebastian messaged.

[Chloe's signing dress has been delivered to your apartment.]

[Take in the waist by one size. Bring it to her tomorrow.]

[And iron it. If there's a single wrinkle, Chloe will be uncomfortable.]

Chloe followed with a photo of her hand with an IV needle in it.

[Don't listen to our brother.]

[If you don't want to bring the medicine, I'll just endure the pain.]

[A wrinkle in the dress doesn't matter. I'm not afraid of being embarrassed.]

I didn't reply. I closed the group chat.

That afternoon, I had my lawyer complete the cancellation process and signed the apartment transfer agreement.

That evening, the boxes were delivered to Damian's office.

He photographed the boxes at the front desk and posted them to the family group.

[Vivian, what are you throwing a fit about now?]

[Sulking with us is one thing, but are you going to play breakup like a child?]

[What's next? Running away from home?]

Chloe sent a crying emoji.

[Is Sis still mad at me?]

[If it's because Damian bought me a bracelet, I'll give it back right now.]

Damian replied.

[That was a gift you deserved. What does it have to do with her?]

Ethan added.

[She wouldn't dare run away.]

[Without the Moretti family, she's nothing.]

I read the last message, left the family group, and signed the long-term transfer agreement to the European headquarters.

Forty-eight hours until departure.