Chapter 2

The family recognition ceremony ended on a sour note.

When we returned to the Sylvester residence, the butler carried my stuff into the guest room. A year had passed, yet the plaque on the door still read "Guest Room".

Mom said they had been too busy to change it, yet Cameron's suite, the one traditionally reserved for the eldest son, had been renovated twice in the past six months.

The first time was because Serena thought his study didn't get enough natural light. The second time was because Zoe was worried his old back injury couldn't handle the humidity.

Vivian personally oversaw the renovations. She had even picked out his curtains.

I asked the butler, "Who lives in the east wing?"

He lowered his head. "Every eldest son of the Sylvester family has lived there."

"Am I the eldest son of the Sylvester family?"

Mom followed me into the room, sounding increasingly impatient. "There you go again. Camera has lived there for 25 years. If you make him move out, what would people say about him?"

"What would people say about me when they see me living in the guest room, then?"

She froze. Vivian happened to walk in. "Harry, no one sees you as a guest."

I pointed at the plaque on the door. "What does that say?"

She pressed her lips together.

Cameron came running when he heard the commotion. "I'll move. I'll move tonight."

Mom panicked. "What about your back?"

Serena grabbed his arm as well. "The doctor said you can't sleep on a hard mattress."

Cameron smiled bitterly. "I can't let Harry spend every day feeling like I stole everything from him, can I?"

Vivian turned to me. "Cameron is willing to move out. Are you satisfied now?"

I smiled dryly. "When he was occupying my room, I was supposed to adjust. Now that he's willing to give it back, somehow I'm the one forcing him. I only asked who the room was supposed to belong to."

Her expression turned ugly. "Family isn't only about rules."

I nodded. "Right. In the chapel where the rules apply, you tell me to consider sentiments. Now that we're home, you tell me not to be sentimental and be the bigger person instead. So, when exactly is Cameron expected to be the bigger person?"

No one answered.

Suddenly, Serena placed a gift box on the table. "Enough. Let's stop fighting. This is the gift I prepared for your ceremony."

Inside the box was a luxury watch. Cameron wore one from the same brand, but his was a limited-edition model released in only a handful of pieces worldwide.

Meanwhile, mine was the basic model anyone could buy off the shelf at an authorized retailer.

Serena quickly explained herself, "Cameron has worn this brand for years, so I know it pretty well. I figured most men would like it as well."

I closed the box. "Thanks."

She visibly relaxed.

Cameron smiled and patted my shoulder. "Serena always puts a lot of thought into her gifts. She went to several stores to find this. You'd better show your appreciation."

I glanced at his wrist. "Did she buy yours too?"

"Yeah."

"When?"

"On my birthday, three years ago."

"Which model?"

He named the model without hesitation.

I turned back to Serena. "What model is mine?"

She looked down to check the box, but still couldn't answer.

The room fell silent. I handed the box back to her. "You remember his birthday, his preferences, and even the exact model of his watch. When it comes to buying me a gift, you simply picked the brand he wears.

"How am I supposed to appreciate something like that?"

Serena's face went pale. "Harry, we've only known each other for a year. Feelings take time."

"Does our engagement take time, too?"

Mom quickly chimed in. "Of course, the engagement still stands."

"Then why has the engagement party been delayed for a year?"

She was at a loss again.

Three months after I first came home, the family had planned to hold an engagement party for Serena and me. Then Cameron got drunk and was involved in a car accident.

In the end, she stayed at the hospital with him for three days. The engagement party was never mentioned again.

Everyone said that saving a life came first. I did not argue with that; I simply wanted an answer now.

"The engagement is with me," I said, pointing at Cameron. "But your feelings are for him. Is that what you're saying?"

Serena's eyes reddened.

Zoe immediately pulled her to her side. "Harry, do you have to be so harsh? Serena has been trying hard to accept you this whole year!"

"Why does accepting me require so much effort?" I asked. "What about me is so difficult for her to accept?"

Zoe was stumped.

Vivian rubbed her temples. "Just stop. We're all tired."

I nodded. "Fine."

This was the first time in the entire year since I returned to the family that I didn't press for an answer. I closed the door to my guest room and sent a message to my former boss, Nathan Chapman.

"Mr. Chapman, is the offer still on the table?"

He replied almost immediately, "Of course."

I glanced at the guest room I was in and replied, "I'll be back next week."