Chapter 4

On the way home, Mom sat beside me. She fidgeted with the edge of her shirt before she finally spoke.

"I was too quick to judge earlier. Susie's always been innocent, and she never thinks about men that way. I've watched her grow up, and she's a good kid. You're about to marry Josh. As husband and wife, you two just need to talk things out. Don't be so petty."

When we were kids, Susie's father drowned while saving Mom. After she was orphaned, Mom brought her to live with us.

Susie always knew how to charm Mom and make her smile.

She always got good grades. Whenever she won an award, Mom would make extra dishes for her, then turn to me and complain that I wasn't trying hard enough.

"Why can't you be more like Susie? Don't be so quiet all the time."

When I was eight years old, a chicken got into the peanuts at home.

Susie told Mom I had eaten them, and Mom slapped me. She brought over some salt, poured it over my wounds, and forced me to admit I was wrong.

Mom said Susie was such a good girl that she would never lie.

After that, I worked as hard as I could and did everything I was supposed to. But even when I got perfect scores, Mom had already chosen Susie over me.

I looked at all the heavy bags Mom had brought over.

Suddenly, I let out a bitter laugh. "Mom, everything except the chicken soup is for Susie too, right?"

Mom didn't look the least bit guilty. "Susie has no one here. What's wrong with me taking extra care of her? All I did was speak up for her. Why are you still so upset?"

When I got home, Josh and Susie were already sitting in the living room.

I felt my blood rush to my head. "How did you get in?"

Before Josh could answer, Mom smiled awkwardly and said, "I invited them. We're family, after all. I couldn't exactly leave them standing outside."

I took a deep breath and said slowly, "Josh, I'm not marrying you anymore. Let's call off the wedding. Actually, no. We're breaking up."

Josh's expression darkened at once. "Tanya, what the hell is wrong with you now?"

Mom started reprimanding me too. "Why do you have to take things this far? You always think we've wronged you. Have you ever stopped to think that maybe you're the problem?"

Susie instantly burst into tears. "It's all my fault! I never wanted to ruin Tanya's marriage. If my being here is causing her so much pain, I'll leave the city right now and give Josh back to her!"

Josh immediately went to comfort her. He didn't even spare me a glance.

Mom quickly put her arms around Susie and tried to soothe her too.

Neither of them blamed me, yet that hurt more than any words could have, because Susie was the only one they cared about.

I went to the master bedroom to pack my things.

Behind me, I heard Mom call out cheerfully, "I'll make shrimp Alfredo for you later. You used to love it."

Mom had probably forgotten that I, her only biological daughter, was allergic to shrimp and that dairy gave me terrible stomach cramps.

I finished packing and was about to leave when I heard intimate sounds coming from the other bedroom.

Josh was massaging Susie's leg. His voice was low and hoarse. "Susie, your leg is almost healed."

Susie wiped away her tears and nodded. "Once it's healed, I'll have to leave, won't I?"

Josh sighed. "I'll extend your medical leave for a little longer."

Susie froze, clearly moved by his offer. "Why did you take me home with you after I was discharged? Do you actually… No, we can't do this. I can't betray Tanya."

He was silent for a long time before answering, "But I can't control how I feel about you anymore. I want to protect you all the time."

I clenched my hands and forced myself to ignore the hurt.

Then I opened the door without saying a word.

Josh quickly took his hands off Susie's leg and looked at me. He immediately realized what had happened. "You heard everything?"

I scoffed. "Yes. You don't have to worry anymore. I've already put the house up for a quick sale. I'm moving out today. I'm not doing this for you two. I just can't stand the sight of you anymore."

Josh's expression darkened. "Tanya, that's way out of line! Apologize now!"

I gave him a mocking smile, grabbed my suitcase, and stumbled out of the house.

That night, I boarded a flight out of the country.

As soon as I left the airport, my phone froze from all the messages flooding in. I snapped my SIM card in half and threw it in the trash.

Once love, friendship, or family was ruined, I didn't want any of them anymore.