Chapter 4

Out of everyone else’s line of sight, Evelyn suddenly pinched Lily hard.

Lily began to wail.

My mother Eliza rushed out of the room, worriedly took Lily into her arms, and glared at me angrily:

“Camilla, is this enough? They’ve already apologized. What more do you want? Evelyn knows you don’t like her, so she moved out. Even after dissolving her blood bond, she still doesn’t dare come back to live here. Isn’t that enough?”

She yanked Lucien away from me, glared at me fiercely, then turned to him.

“Ignore her. You’ve spoiled her. She’s always throwing tantrums!”

Evelyn looked at Eliza, tears filling her eyes.

“Mom, it’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have come back. I know Camilla doesn’t like me.”

Just then my brother Jack rushed over. He shoved me aside and shielded Evelyn behind him.

“Camilla, you bully Evelyn only because Mom and Dad feel guilty toward you. Fine, I’ll tell you—Evelyn is the only sister I acknowledge!”

I stumbled back two steps, my shoulder hitting the wall.

Before I could steady myself, Xavier also walked over.

He first checked Evelyn carefully to make sure she was unhurt, then turned to look at me.

“Camilla, have you made enough of a scene?”

His tone was even colder than Jack’s. He glared at me viciously, then put an arm around Evelyn’s shoulders and gently comforted her.

“Don’t cry. With us here, no one can bully you.”

Not a single person in this family liked me.

I had always known. My parents and brothers spoiled Evelyn like a princess.

They thought I was selfish, that I abused Evelyn, that I lacked grace and maturity.

My two brothers and I should have been the closest of siblings. Instead we had become enemies.

I pressed a hand to the pain in my chest and gave a bitter smile.

They didn’t like me. Was that something I had only just learned?

Why, then, did hearing them defend Evelyn still hurt so much?

I lowered my head. Tears slid silently down my cheeks.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to blame Evelyn. This is her home too. Let her move back.”

Jack paused, a flicker of suspicion in his eyes.

“Don’t tell me you’re plotting some scheme again. Are you planning to bully Evelyn? I’m warning you—stop!”

“Enough! Shut up!”

Eliza scolded Jack and Xavier, then turned to me with a gentle smile.

“Camilla has finally grown up. She’s learned not to be jealous of Evelyn’s excellence. That’s more like it. Evelyn will forgive you, because she’s so kind and generous.”

“Yes, Mom.”

I answered obediently, forcing down the bitterness in my chest.

This would be the last time I yielded.

Today I would leave this house forever.

The plane was about to take off.

I picked up my bag, which held only a few changes of clothes I had just packed. I took nothing my family or Lucien had given me.

“Camilla, where are you going?”

I had just stepped out the door when Eliza called after me.

For some reason a flash of worry crossed her eyes.

I smiled at them and said:

“I’m going to buy something for Evelyn. A little gift to celebrate her return.”

This was the first time I had lied, yet I felt not the slightest guilt—only a faint sense of relief.

Eliza relaxed.

“Don’t take too long. Don’t keep everyone waiting. That’s the way. Treat Evelyn well. We’re all family.”

“Camilla, wait! I’ll drive you.”

Lucien had just finished comforting Lily. When he saw me leaving he panicked, grabbed the car keys, and chased after me.

The moment he turned, Evelyn pinched Lily’s arm hard again.

Lily’s cries immediately pulled everyone’s attention back inside.

Worry appeared on Eliza’s face once more.

“Lucien, don’t worry about Camilla. Our villa isn’t far from the city—only a twenty-minute drive. Lily needs you. Stay and comfort her.”

Lucien hesitated. His steps paused, then he slowly stepped back. He looked at me with guilt in his eyes.

“Camilla, Lily is still little. She needs someone with her. I’ll stay with her for now.”

I said nothing.

I walked out the door without looking back, leaving everything behind.

Six hours later I still had not returned.

They finally realized something was wrong.