Chapter 3

After his company had stabilized, he felt sorry seeing me shuttle back and forth between our home and the company. He then asked me to resign and focus on taking care of our home.

Since then, Jason always had a hot breakfast and dinner waiting for him. His suits were spotless and neatly pressed, and our home was always in perfect order.

He never had anything to worry about.

Yet, in the end, I was only slightly better than a housekeeper to him.

How ironic.

I turned, retreating to my room to pack my things. I could no longer stay in this place.

Jason and Helena were drawn by the noise I made. They showed up hand in hand at the doorway.

I glanced at their tightly intertwined hands before dragging my suitcase toward the entrance, my face devoid of expression.

Jason frowned slightly. For some reason, his chest started tightening. "Where are you going, Victoria?"

I did not answer him, walking right past him without even batting an eyelash.

"Stop right there!" Jason grabbed my wrist and pulled me back.

"Do you need me for anything?" I coldly asked and yanked my hand free.

He replied, "Stop making a fuss, Victoria. Just stay at home for now. I'll make it up to you in three months."

"With what status am I supposed to continue living here? As your housekeeper?" I retorted.

Jason's expression darkened, unable to reply.

Helena said, "Just let Vicky leave if that's what she wants, Jason. It's just Grandma had asked the cathedral's revered cleric to bless the bracelet Vicky's wearing. Can you get her to give it to me? It might let me live longer."

My eyes widened in disbelief upon hearing her words.

When I was three, I had a raging fever that no hospital visits could cure. In desperation, Grandma, who was already 70 years old, ignored the family's objection. She climbed up the stairs to the mountaintop cathedral—all just to obtain this bracelet.

Once she returned home, she personally put it on me and warned everyone not to remove it from me.

Grandma was the only person who continued to treat me with kindness after Helena came. This was the only keepsake she left for me—I could never hand it over.

The rage and hatred within me grew upon that thought. "Are you even human, Helena? Stealing my husband was one thing, but you now even have your eyes on Grandma's keepsake?"

"Helena is right, Victoria. It's useless for you anyway—just give it to her." Jason knew just how important this bracelet was to me.

I couldn't believe how he could utter those words in such nonchalance.

"No way!" I gritted, my body shaking from rage. Not wanting to argue with them anymore, I turned to leave.

However, Jason grabbed my wrist tightly and forced the bracelet off me. I teared up from how hard he was gripping my hand.

I struggled hard. The moment the bracelet slipped free, it suddenly fell from his hand to the floor.

I clenched my fists tight as I looked at the broken pieces of the bracelet. My nails dug deep into my palm, causing it to bleed as I wordlessly wept.

I lost all hope at that moment.

…

I stared blankly outside the window, watching the cars pass by. I only snapped back to my senses when my phone rang twice.

It was a call from Theo Lupine, my friend who worked in the hospital. I quickly accepted his call.

"I have the results of what you wanted me to look into, Victoria. You should prepare yourself—it's not good," he said.

"Just tell me. I can take it," I replied calmly.

Theo replied, "Our investigation shows that your parents and younger sister bribed our doctor to fake her medical report. Your sister doesn't have cancer."

…

My entire world shattered when the call ended.

I had always known that my parents favored Helena.

When I was 15, I bought my very first phone. As soon as Helena said she liked it, my parents took it from me and gave it to her.

When I was 18, my parents only prepared a dress and flowers for her, even though it was my birthday.

When I was 23, I brought my first love home. Helena said she didn't like my boyfriend, so my parents forcefully made us break up.