Chapter 2

The family homecoming ceremony ended badly.

Back when I returned to the family estate, the housekeeper, Philip, had carried my luggage to the guest suite in the east wing.

A year had passed, yet the plaque on the door still read "Guest Suite."

My mother claimed the family had always been busy and simply hadn't gotten around to changing it. Yet Blair's suite had been renovated twice in the past six months.

The first renovation had happened because Joseph complained that the lighting in Blair's study wasn't good enough. The second had happened because Cameron worried that the dampness would aggravate Blair's back injury.

Andrew had personally overseen both renovations and even picked out her curtains.

…

I asked Philip, "Why does everyone call that the eldest daughter's suite?"

He lowered his head. "Traditionally, the Collins family's eldest daughter has always lived there."

"Am I the Collins family's eldest daughter?" I asked.

My mother followed me into the room, and irritation crept into her voice. "Here we go again. Blair has lived there for 25 years. If you suddenly make her move out, what will people think of her?"

"Then what will people think of me when I'm living in the guest suite?" I shot back.

She froze for a moment.

Andrew happened to walk over. "Renee, no one thinks of you as a guest."

I pointed at the sign on the door. "Then what does that say?"

Andrew pressed his lips together.

Blair came over when she heard the commotion. "I'll move. I'll move tonight."

My mother immediately panicked. "What about your back?"

Joseph grabbed Blair's arm. "The doctor said you can't sleep on a hard mattress."

Blair gave a bitter smile. "I can't exactly let my sister spend the rest of her life feeling like I stole what belongs to her."

Andrew turned to me. "She's willing to move. Are you happy now?"

"When she was occupying the room, I was supposed to be the one who adapted. Now that she's ready to give it back, somehow I'm the one forcing her out?" I looked at him. "All I did was ask who the room should belong to."

Andrew's expression darkened. "Family isn't about rules."

I nodded. "In the family attorney's office, you talk to me about rules. Here at home, you talk to me about feelings. So when will you ever ask Blair to be the one who understands and gives in?"

No one said a word.

Joseph placed a gift box on the table. "Stop fighting. I prepared this as a welcome-home gift for you."

Inside was a watch.

Blair wore one from the same brand, but hers was a limited-edition model with only a small number produced worldwide. Mine was a basic model available at any store.

Joseph immediately explained, "Blair has worn this brand for years, so I know her tastes pretty well. I thought most girls would like it."

I closed the box. "Thank you."

He visibly relaxed.

Blair smiled too and patted me on the shoulder. "Joseph always puts a lot of thought into his gifts. He went to several stores to find it. Don't let his effort go to waste."

I glanced at the watch on Blair's wrist. "Did he buy yours too?"

"Yes."

"When?"

"My birthday three years ago," Blair answered without hesitation.

"What model?"

Then I looked at Joseph. "What model is mine?"

He lowered his head and stared at the box. He couldn't answer.

The living room fell silent.

I handed the box back to him. "You remember her birthday, her preferences, and even her watch model. But when you bought me a gift, you simply picked something from the same brand she wears. How am I supposed to accept this?"

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

"Does our engagement need time too?" I asked.

My mother immediately spoke up. "Of course the engagement still stands."

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

She had no answer.

Three months after I returned, the family had planned to hold an engagement party for Joseph and me. But Blair had gotten drunk and had been involved in a car accident. Joseph had stayed by her bedside for three days, and no one had ever mentioned the engagement party again. Everyone had said saving a life was more important.

I hadn't objected then. Now, I was simply asking for an explanation.

"The engagement belongs to me." I pointed at Blair. "But the feelings belong to her. Is that what you're saying?"

Joseph's eyes reddened.

Cameron immediately pulled him to his side. "Renee, do you have to be so harsh? Joseph has spent this entire year trying to accept you."

"Why does accepting me require effort? What exactly about me is so difficult for him to accept?" I demanded.

Cameron had no answer.

Andrew rubbed his temples. "Enough. Everyone's already exhausted."

I nodded. "Fine."

For the first time in the year since I'd returned to the family, I stopped pressing them for answers.

I closed the door to the guest suite and sent a message to my former boss, Desiree Taylor.

[Ms. Taylor, is the position you said you'd keep open for me still available?]

She replied almost instantly.

[It always has been.]

I glanced at the "Guest Suite" sign on the door.

[I'll be back next week.]