Chapter 5

Adrian's POV

On the anniversary of Mom's death, I waited for what felt like forever.

Dad at least sent someone to leave flowers at her grave. But Vanessa never showed up.

I called three times, but she didn't answer.

On the fourth try, Karen picked up. "Oh, Adrian! Were you looking for Vanessa?"

"Today's the anniversary of my mom's death," I replied.

"Oh, goodness! That's today? How awful of us to forget!" Karen exclaimed. "My dog had puppies this morning, and Vanessa and Ethan were so excited about them that it completely slipped their minds."

She paused before adding, "It's probably too late for Vanessa to get there now. Oh, what are we going to do?"

"Karen, who's on the phone?" I heard Vanessa ask in the background.

"It's Adrian. I think he's upset," Karen replied anxiously. "Vanessa, what should we do?"

"Adrian? Hello?" Vanessa's voice came through the phone.

I hung up without a word.

Mom smiled at me from the photograph on her headstone, her expression as loving and gentle as I remembered.

It was a beautiful spring day, but as I knelt before her grave, a chill settled deep in my bones.

I wrapped my arms around her headstone and pressed a kiss to it.

"It's okay, Mom. You still have me. I'll never forget you."

After meeting with my lawyer, I returned home and was surprised to find Claire, Vanessa, and Ethan waiting for me.

Claire and Vanessa stood on either side of Ethan, who held an enormous bouquet of flowers and looked absolutely thrilled.

Vanessa spoke the moment she saw me. "Adrian, look at this! Ethan's design just won an international award!"

"I was only trying to follow in Adrian's footsteps," Ethan said with a show of modesty.

Claire held up the designs and scoffed. "Follow in her footsteps? Please. She studied under some of the best designers and still hasn't won a thing.

"Talent matters, Ethan. Give yourself some credit."

My eyes suddenly caught on the lines in his drawings.

I couldn't help but step forward and snatch the pages from Claire's hands.

I flipped through them one by one. They were almost identical to my original sketches.

Ethan had stolen my work and passed it off as his own to win that award!

"You stole my designs! Ethan, how could you be so shameless?"

I was shaking with rage. I couldn't stop myself from raising my hand to slap him.

But before I could bring it down, Claire grabbed my wrist. Then she shoved me hard.

Claire had trained in kickboxing since childhood. Even most grown men couldn't take her in a fight.

I'd trained for years, too, determined to become strong enough to protect both her and Vanessa. I was no pushover, either.

But this time, I was so stunned that I couldn't even fight back. I stumbled two steps backward and fell hard to the floor, utterly humiliated.