Chapter 2

Gabriella's POV

The car slowed to a stop in front of the villa.

Christopher and Jasper started moving all the newly bought items into the villa.

Several shopping bags of different sizes filled the living room.

"Try on these new shoes, Scarlett. See if they hurt your feet," Mom said as she pulled out a pair of limited edition sneakers, kneeling down to put them on for Scarlett.

Scarlett walked around a few steps after she changed into them and happily spun around in a circle. "Thank you, Mom! They're a perfect fit!"

I hoisted my own faded backpack over my shoulder and headed toward the stairs.

"Stop right there, Gabriella," Mom said.

I halted my footsteps.

She rose to her feet and pointed at the empty cardboard boxes on the floor and said, "Throw the trash out. Also, wash the clothes that Scarlett just changed out of. Don't forget to hand-wash them."

"Okay," I said, calmly nodding before I bent over to pick up the cardboard boxes.

Just then, Jasper came out from the kitchen with a glass of warm water. He frowned slightly when he saw me kneeling on the floor. "Gabby must be tired too after today's outing, Mrs. Lowine. She can wash Scarlett's clothes tomorrow."

Mom scoffed. "Why would she be tired? She was empty-handed while she was following us around the mall."

Jasper sighed and walked over to my side. He then pulled out a small, pink fan from his pocket. "Your room doesn't have air-conditioning, right? You can use this at your dorm too."

I looked at the fan. The box it was in was already crushed flat. A massive logo of the laptop's brand was printed on the cover.

This was Jasper's so-called compensation for me—a complimentary gift that came with Scarlett's four-thousand-dollar laptop.

"Thanks," I said without taking the fan. "But I'm not scared of the heat."

Jasper's hand was left suspended in midair. A hint of frustration flickered across his eyes. "It was just a desk lamp, Gabriella. How much longer do you intend to throw a tantrum?"

"I'm not throwing a tantrum," I said, stacking the flattened cardboard boxes before rising to my feet. "I just don't need it."

"You were always so understanding in the past. What happened to you?" he hissed in a hushed voice, his words taking on a warning edge.

Understanding.

That word was like a chain that kept me shackled for over a decade.

Grandma took me to the city from the countryside when I was seven. Since I was enrolled in school two years later than everyone else, I ended up in the same class as Scarlett.

Jasper held my hand and pointed at Scarlett, saying, "I'll protect you while you protect Scarlett, Gabby."

However, to protect Scarlett, I was forced to give up Mom's and Dad's love, my new clothes, and the room that rightfully belonged to me. In the end, I also had to give Jasper up.

As I studied Jasper's familiar face, I suddenly felt as if I was looking at a complete stranger.

"I'm still very understanding now," I said, picking up the stack of cardboard before circling him and heading outside.

Jasper stood rooted to the spot, his expression dark.

…

I returned to my room after I threw the trash out.

My room was actually a storage room under the staircase on the first floor.

I dragged out my luggage bag from under my bed and stacked a few old clothes inside.

There was a plane ticket at the very bottom of the bag. The destination was Bellion.

Just then, my phone started vibrating. I took a deep breath before answering the call.

"Have you had dinner yet, Gabby?"

Grandma's aged voice echoed from the receiver. Her words were colored with a thick countryside accent.

My eyes immediately began to sting. "I've already had dinner, Grandma," I said, trying my best to keep my voice steady.

"I went to town today and wired 2,000 dollars into your bank account," she said in a hushed voice. "I got the money from selling eggs. You're heading off to university, so you should buy some new clothes for yourself. Don't let the city kids look down on you."

Teardrops splattered on the back of my hand.

In the Lowine family, 2,000 dollars wasn't even enough to buy Scarlett's new laptop. But I knew that it would cover Grandma's living expenses for six months.

"I got a scholarship, Grandma," I said. "The university also waived my school fees. I have enough money."

I pressed a hand to my mouth, trying to muffle the sounds of my sobbing.

"Just take it. You might need it for a rainy day, especially since you'll be away from home," Grandma said stubbornly. "You got such good results, Gabby. I'll dote on you even if your parents won't."

I bit down harshly on my bottom lip.

"Okay."

"Don't look back after you leave for the big city, Gabby," Grandma continued, sighing. "Don't be like me. Don't rot away in the mud for the rest of your life."

"I understand, Grandma."

I picked up the plane ticket after I hung up and slipped it neatly into my diary.

I could hear Scarlett playing the piano beyond the door. I could also hear Jasper's soft humming and singing.

I closed the diary and pushed the luggage bag back under the bed.

I just had to stay strong for a few more days.