Chapter 2

"Tear down the whole backyard garden. Get the bulldozers in this afternoon," Elena's commanding voice echoed through the living room. "I want a full-glass outdoor art studio built by next week."

My hand froze halfway to my mouth with my water glass.

That was the garden I had personally tended to for three years. It was filled with rare Bulgarian roses. It was my only sanctuary after work.

"No problem. Mia mentioned a couple of days ago that she wanted to learn oil painting, and the indoor lighting is too dim," Don Vincent agreed easily, not even looking up from his newspaper.

Luca walked downstairs, smiling in agreement. "Once the studio is done, I’ll have someone import the best natural pigments. Mia deserves the best."

Just because of Mia’s sudden whim, they erased three years of my hard work without a second thought.

I sat in the armchair opposite them, quietly taking a sip of water.

I didn't fight it. I didn't ask why.

Because I knew any objection would just be seen as me being greedy. To them, I was the mafia boss’s biological daughter; I already had my life and status, so I shouldn't be petty over a garden.

Especially after that incident when we were little.

Mia and I were playing, and she slipped into the pool. I couldn’t swim. I was so terrified I just froze.

By the time Mom, Dad, and Luca rushed over, all they saw was me standing there, watching her drown.

From that day on, they were convinced I tried to kill her out of jealousy for stealing their love.

No matter how hard I tried to explain, they never listened.

"Willow, did you hear me? Clean up your flower pots this afternoon," Elena shot me a glance.

"Okay," I put the glass down and went upstairs.

That afternoon, Julian came over.

He walked straight up to me with a sleek gift box. "I didn't get you anything for Christmas. This is to make up for it."

I opened the box.

It was a Barbie-pink haute couture dress.

I absolutely hated pink.

"Mia said this color is the trendiest this year. She loves it," Julian explained casually, though his eyes kept drifting toward Mia’s bedroom upstairs. "I figured if she liked it, you would too."

I closed the lid and pushed the box back to him. "I don't like it. Take it back."

Julian frowned instantly, surprised and annoyed. Because in the past, even if I hated it, I would have just swallowed it.

But I was done swallowing my pride.

"Willow, what is your problem?"

"I don't need your compensation. You can give it to Mia."

"Fine. Don't regret it then," Julian scoffed coldly. He grabbed the box without hesitation and turned toward the stairs. "Mia looks way better in pink than you anyway."

At dusk, I went downstairs for water. Walking past the slightly ajar study door, I overheard my parents.

"Has Willow been too quiet these past couple of days? She didn't even throw a fit about the garden," Papa sounded mildly puzzled.

Elena brushed it off. "She’s just moody. Always has been, so gloomy since she was a kid. Just ignore her, she’ll get over it in a few days."

Expressionless, I turned around, only to bump into Mia holding a small velvet box.

"Willow..." Mia looked at me timidly, offering the box. "I went shopping yesterday and bought this necklace for you."

I opened it. An overly flashy cross necklace. Completely not my style.

"Thanks," I took it.

I didn't like the necklace, but I accepted it. Because in this massive estate, she was the only one who even acknowledged I existed.

Late that night, I sat alone in my dark room.

My computer screen lit up. A confirmation email from the hospital in Colombia arrived right on time.

"Dr. Sterling, we are thrilled to have you join us. Your surgical skills are impeccable, and you will be a core asset to our trauma team. There are many lives here that need you. We look forward to fighting alongside you in two weeks."

I read the words over and over again, a long-lost warmth finally seeping into my freezing heart.

Someone thought I was important. Someone was waiting for me.

It just wasn't anyone in this house.