Chapter 4

The moment the apology left my lips, it felt as though my dignity had been crushed beneath someone’s heel.

Adrian lowered his phone, leaving the screen dark.

Just before the call ended, I heard his gentle voice.

“Elena, she apologized. Don’t cry anymore.

“I already bought that ruby necklace you liked yesterday. Consider it a graduation gift. You’ll see it when we get back from the trip.”

The call ended.

I braced myself against the desk as tears slowly fell.

Ten days later, their trip to Valehaven came to an end.

Elena’s social media location showed that they were back in the city center, but I had already moved my belongings out of the house and temporarily rented an apartment near the office.

For the next two weeks, I stayed busy wrapping up the projects I’d been working on.

One evening, Mom sent me a photo.

It showed the refrigerator at home, stocked with homemade pickled vegetables and fresh shrimp, one of my favorite foods.

“You’re so stubborn when you’re upset.

“Elena graduates tomorrow. As her sister, are you really not going to come?

“I made all your favorite dishes. Come home for dinner tomorrow. Takeout isn’t good for you.

“You mentioned that the wardrobe in your room was broken. Your dad didn’t even rest after we got back from Valehaven. He spent two days fixing it for you.”

My heart softened for a moment.

I remembered how Dad used to repair things for me when I was little. Whenever something broke, he’d grab his tools and spend hours fixing it. Once, he even accidentally hit his finger with a hammer.

But everything in my sister’s room was always brand-new.

The next morning, when I opened my door, Adrian was waiting outside.

He was holding a bouquet of my favorite lisianthus, his eyes filled with affection. He pulled me into a hug and gently kissed my forehead.

“Madison, are you still upset?

“I was only trying to stop Elena from crying. I wasn’t actually threatening you.

“I know exactly how much work you’ve put into those three projects.”

He put an arm around me and led me to the car, acting just as affectionate as he always had.

But when I got into the back seat, I noticed another bouquet, freshly arranged and carefully placed there.

Gardenias.

My heart jolted.

I turned to look at Adrian, but he had already started the car and was driving toward Elena’s college.

The campus was especially lively during graduation season. Elena was dressed in her cap and gown, constantly posing for photos with her friends.

Perhaps trying to cheer me up, Mom and Dad pulled Adrian and me together.

“Madison, Adrian, stand together for a picture.”

I stood beside Adrian. He took my hand and slipped it around his arm, then gave me a slightly bashful look.

“Madison, you look beautiful today.”

The instant the camera clicked, someone suddenly squeezed between us.

“Happy graduation!”

Elena pushed her way between Adrian and me, then affectionately wrapped an arm around my shoulders.

The ruby necklace around her neck caught the sunlight, flashing repeatedly before my eyes.

When we went into the dorm to help Elena collect her things, her roommates kept glancing at Adrian.

“That’s Adrian Whitmore? He’s so handsome!”

Elena immediately shot back with a laugh.

“I warned you, girls. Don’t tell my future brother-in-law he’s handsome.

“My sister gets jealous. She’ll go crazy and yell at all of you!”

Her roommates immediately looked at me before hurrying away awkwardly.

After we finished packing Elena’s things, I instinctively handed her suitcase to Adrian.

But Elena stopped me.

“How could the president of Whitmore Industries lower himself to carry my suitcase? What would people think?

“Besides, Madison, you work out all the time. Think of it as strength training. Just remember to handle my suitcase carefully.”

With that, Elena linked her arm through Adrian’s and headed downstairs.

Mom and Dad followed close behind, carrying a few of her smaller bags.

I was left alone with a suitcase weighing nearly forty-five pounds.

Step by step, I dragged it down five flights of stairs.

The sky outside suddenly darkened.

A deafening crack of thunder followed, and heavy rain came pouring down.

Outside the dorm, I tried to open Adrian’s car door.

It was locked.

The window rolled down just a crack, and Elena stuck her tongue out at me playfully.

“Madison, you lost again!

“Remember? We agreed to play that little race downstairs. You were the last one down, so your punishment is to get home by yourself!

“We’re leaving first. Bye!”

Through the narrow opening, I saw Adrian give me an apologetic smile.

“Madison, Elena’s just being playful.

“It’s her graduation day. Let her have her way this once.

“Just get a ride home. I’ll reimburse you for the fare.”

Mom and Dad were already in the car, one in the passenger seat and the other in the back.

Their eyes held nothing but indulgent affection and helpless amusement toward Elena.

The window rolled shut, and the car quickly disappeared from view.

Rain soaked my hair completely.

Standing there in the downpour, I felt cold to my very bones.

These were the people I’d once been so proud to call my loved ones.

I gripped the suitcase handle tightly, walked back under the dormitory awning, and called a car to take me home.

When the car arrived, I kicked Elena’s suitcase over before getting in.

The expensive designer suitcase toppled into the flower bed and was instantly splattered with mud.

Without hesitation, I opened the car door and got inside.

During the ride, I finally replied to the recruiter whose invitation had been sitting unanswered in my inbox.

“I’ll be there next Wednesday.”

After receiving their confirmation, I immediately booked the earliest flight out of town for the weekend.

Then I listed my house for sale through a real estate platform.

I didn’t want this home anymore.