Chapter 2

Dalton's POV

I looked at Ethan's healthy complexion and almost laughed.

When I'd first arrived in this miserable little town, the supervisor had still been wary of my status as a Whitmore. For a while, he hadn't dared go too far.

Then, three months passed without so much as a phone call from Claire. That was all it took for him to realize no one was coming for me.

After that, he stopped pretending. I was given every filthy, backbreaking job no one else wanted. Some days, I worked from dawn until I could barely stand, with hardly a break in between.

Meals were just as miserable. Usually watery oatmeal, stale bread, and whatever cheap canned vegetables they had on hand were served.

It didn't take long for the weight to fall off me.

Eventually, a doctor warned that the prolonged malnutrition had done serious damage to my body. Even if I recovered, there was a chance I'd be dealing with the consequences for the rest of my life.

Not that it mattered. I only had three days left to live anyway.

When I said nothing, Ethan's eyes narrowed slightly.

Then, he turned to Claire, his expression shifting into one of wounded innocence. "Dalton, are you still mad at me?"

He hesitated before adding softly, "I'm sorry. I never should've asked Claire to give me your place at Westbridge."

Claire's expression immediately hardened.

"Don't apologize to him." She scoffed coldly. "None of this would've happened if he hadn't treated you like dirt back then."

Her gaze snapped toward me. "Dalton, you refused to apologize to Ethan no matter what anyone said. After everything that's happened, are you finally ready to admit you were wrong?"

A bitter smile tugged at my lips.

When Ethan had first been brought back into the family, I had resented him. That much was true.

I'd been furious that this brother who had appeared out of nowhere was suddenly taking Claire's attention away from me. I'd been jealous, bitter, and childish about it.

But I had never actually done anything to hurt him.

Back then, I'd been counting down the days until I could leave for Westbridge University, the school I'd dreamed of attending for years.

Then, Claire came to me out of nowhere and told me to give up my spot to Ethan.

"No! Why should I?" I had stared at her, furious and hurt. "I worked so hard for three years to get into Westbridge. I earned that acceptance!"

Then, I had turned on Ethan, who was standing beside her, looking as though he might burst into tears at any moment.

"You came home and took my room, my clothes, my everything—fine. But now you want my college spot too?"

I was so angry that the words came spilling out before I could stop them. "Even if you took my spot, could you even keep up with the classes?"

Ethan's eyes reddened.

"Claire, did you hear that?" His voice trembled. "Dalton's making fun of me because I never got a proper education."

He lowered his head. "But I wouldn't have fallen so far behind if I hadn't spent all those years away from the family."

My stomach dropped. He'd twisted my words completely.

"What are you talking about? That's not what I said…"

The slap came without warning. My head snapped to the side, and I stumbled to the floor.

"Enough!" Claire shouted. "Apologize to Ethan. Now!"

She pulled Ethan protectively against her, making it painfully obvious whose side she was on.

I pressed a hand to my burning cheek and stared up at her in disbelief. "Why should I apologize? He's lying about what I said!"

Instead of listening, Claire only grew angrier.

"Mom really did spoil you rotten." Her jaw tightened as she looked down at me. "I can't believe she let you grow into someone this arrogant and entitled."

Then, she made her decision.

"Maybe a few years away from all this privilege will finally teach you some humility."

Before I could protest, Claire had her people drag me away. And that was how I'd ended up here, a forgotten little town miles from everything I'd ever known.

The memories left a bitter ache in my chest.

"Dalton!" Claire's sharp voice carried a clear warning. "You owe Ethan an apology that's three years overdue."

I buried every trace of emotion, closed my eyes for a moment, and then lowered my head. "I'm sorry, Ethan. I was immature back then. I hope you can forgive me."

Some of the frost left Claire's expression. "That's more like it. I suppose these past three years really have taught you something."

She turned toward the limousine. "Get in. We're going home."

I climbed into the back seat. Ethan was sitting right beside me.

We were halfway to the city when he leaned closer, making sure Claire couldn't hear him.

"You're even dumber than I thought," he murmured. "You actually came back."

A smug smile curled across his face.

"You really think there's still a place for you in the Whitmore family?"

His gaze swept over my worn clothes and gaunt frame with open contempt. "Look at you, Dalton. You look like some stray they dragged in off the street."

I lifted my eyes and met his with an icy stare.