Chapter 2

Oliver frowned as he watched me pick up the pen again and again, only to set it back down each time. "What's wrong, Daphne?"

I made up an excuse.

"I just remembered Emma's tutoring session is almost over. I need to go pick her up. How about I take the document home, go through it tonight, and come back to sign it tomorrow?"

Oliver fell silent for a second, then smiled. "Don't you trust me?"

The question hit me like a punch to the gut. "It's not that. I just…"

"Listen to me, Daphne."

He pulled up a chair and sat beside me, his voice turning serious as he went on, "I know it's not easy raising Emma on your own. I know you have to second-guess everything. But I'm your brother. You really think I'd ever do anything to hurt you?"

Oliver looked at me, and tears welled up in his eyes.

"When Mom and Dad died, you were the one who held everything together. You were only 19. Other young ladies your age were off at university, dating, and living their lives.

"But you were already working in a factory. I've never forgotten all the money you lent me over the years. It's not that I didn't want to pay you back. I just wanted to give you even more."

At that point, Oliver's voice cracked. "30% of the company is the best I can give you right now. Take it. Once the quarterly dividends start coming in, you and Emma won't have to struggle anymore."

My eyes stung, and I almost cried. This was my little brother. The boy I basically raised. How could he ever hurt me?

With that, I took a deep breath and picked up the pen again.

But the comments exploded across my vision once more. "Don't let him fool you! He's putting on an act! If you sign it, you're done!"

At that very moment, my hand brushed the edge of the papers, and my fingertips grazed Oliver's hand where it rested on the desk. In an instant, his thoughts flooded into my mind again.

"If Daphne knew what surprise I've got prepared for her, she'd definitely cry.

"Once she signs, I'm taking her to see the house. It's right next to Emma's school. I've already put down the down payment, and the deed is in her name.

"She has suffered enough. Starting today, I'm going to make sure she finally gets to live a good life."

A house? Oliver bought me a house?

My hand began to tremble, but this time it wasn't from fear. It was from being moved.

The comments insisted Oliver was trying to hurt me. Yet, his thoughts were filled with guilt and love for me. His thoughts couldn't be fake, could they?

So, I gritted my teeth and lowered the pen toward the signature line.

Just then, the office door opened, and Oliver's assistant poked his head inside. "Mr. Lawson, there's a package downstairs addressed to your sister. They require her signature in person."

Oliver paused before smiling at me. "Daphne, let's go downstairs and pick something up."

I followed him downstairs, only to find a large cardboard box with my name on it.

Then, Oliver told me to open it. Inside was a brand-new set of kitchen appliances—the exact model I'd casually mentioned online that I wanted to get.

"Didn't you say your oven broke? I bought you a new one while I was at it," he said with a grin, as if it were no big deal.

I stared at the appliances, feeling warm and choked up inside. He'd remembered an offhand comment I'd made online. How could a brother like that possibly hurt me?

The comments had to be fake. Maybe I was too tired and hallucinating.

…

We went back upstairs to Oliver's office. I sat down and picked up the pen again.

This time, I didn't hesitate.

The tip of the pen had just touched the paper when something at the corner of the desk caught my eye.

Oliver's phone was lying there, face up. The screen lit up, and a message preview popped up. The sender's contact name read, "Adam."

Yet, only the first few words were visible. "Did she sign yet? The boss is really pushing…"

The notification disappeared just as quickly.

My hand froze, and the pen left a small blot of ink on the paper.

I stared at the darkened screen, and my heart leaped into my throat once more.