Chapter 3

In the end, Mom took a moonstone bracelet from the jewelry box.

"This was left by your grandmother."

"She said it was meant as a coming-of-age gift for both of her granddaughters."

She fastened it around Celeste's wrist, then stepped back with a smile, admiring her.

"It looks so much better on Celeste."

Celeste turned this way and that in front of the full-length mirror, her face lighting up.

"Thank you, Mom!"

Grandma had left behind a pair of matching moonstone bracelets.

One belonged to Celeste.

The other was supposed to be mine.

I looked up, quietly waiting for Mom to say what she had planned for my bracelet.

But even after dinner,

she never mentioned it.

In the end, Celeste was the one who asked.

"Mom, what about my sister's bracelet?"

Mom seemed to remember it only then. She waved her hand dismissively.

"I was thinking of giving the other one to you, too."

"As for Serena, I'll get her something else later."

Celeste touched the bracelet and said softly,

"Mom, shouldn't the other one belong to Serena?"

But when Mom fastened it around her other wrist, she only glanced at me before smiling at her reflection.

"We still haven't decided who you'll be with, but we need to get your engagement dress ready."

"That private design studio in Milan just sent over its new collection last month. They're bringing the samples tomorrow for you to choose from."

I lowered my eyes and took a bite of food.

But somehow, I couldn't taste a thing.

Grandma had always loved me most.

During the final days of her life, she had held my hand and reminded me over and over,

"Serena, these two bracelets are for you and your sister."

"When you both find your mates someday, wear them."

"Think of it as Grandma being there to see you both start your lives."

Mom had been there too.

She had cried and nodded, promising she would remember.

But now, it seemed like Mom had forgotten.

Or perhaps, in her mind, if Celeste wanted something, then Celeste should have it first.

Celeste stole several glances at me.

After dinner, she stopped me.

"Serena, about the bracelet,"

I gave her a strained smile.

"Don't worry about it."

"Mom gave it to you. Just keep it."

I knew she hadn't meant to show off.

But somehow, that made the favoritism hurt even more.

I couldn't even resent her for it without looking petty myself.

Just then, Ryan arrived.

The moment he walked in, he handed the box in his hands to Celeste.

"Strawberry cheesecake from that place downtown."

"I waited in line for two hours to get it."

"You love it, don't you? Go ahead and try it."

Celeste opened the box, her eyes lighting up immediately.

"Ryan, you're the best!"

She picked up her fork, smiling brightly.

Seeing me standing there without moving,Ryan casually urged me,

"Serena, what are you waiting for?"

"You like sweets too, don't you?"

I looked at him and said quietly,

"Ryan, I'm severely allergic to strawberries."

Ryan paused.Then he frowned.

"But you ate them when you were little."

"Don't suddenly claim you're allergic just because Celeste likes them."

I stared at him in disbelief.

But he had forgotten.

The first time I ever ate a strawberry dessert,

I was only eight.

Ryan hadn't even met Celeste yet.

Once, Adrian brought home a box of desserts.

But every flavor inside was something Celeste liked.

When Ryan found out, he secretly spent all his allowance buying me an entire box of different desserts.

And when he learned I was allergic to them, he was furious.

"How can your parents not even know that?"

"From now on, whenever I get something good to eat, I'll save it all for you."

Back then, Ryan was the only person who actually remembered the little things about me.

I still remembered the first time he bought me cake.

I had been so happy.

Even after I accidentally took a bite of strawberry cake and broke out in a rash because I didn't know about my allergy, he stayed by my side until I recovered.

But somewhere along the way, the way he looked at me changed.

After I got better, he happily told me, "Serena, I've realized something."

"Celeste really is more likable than you."

From then on, he remembered more and more things.

Just never anything about me.

And even so, I still loved Ryan once.

Because he had been the only person who would tilt his umbrella toward me when it rained.

I just didn't know when it had happened, but somewhere along the way, the person standing beside him beneath that umbrella had become Celeste.

Just then, Adrian suddenly walked over, his voice edged with obvious irritation.

"Serena, what are you complaining about now?"

His eyes fell on the strawberry cheesecake.

"You know Celeste loves it, and you still have to bring up your allergy right now."

"You always do this."

"Can't you just stop ruining the mood every time?"

I clenched my hands so tightly my nails dug into my palms.

Yet strangely, I suddenly felt relieved.

At least I had never truly handed my life over to them.

Back in my room, I opened the bottom drawer of my wardrobe.

One by one, I took out everything Ryan had given me over the years.

Old photographs.

A bookmark.

A silver pendant he had given me when we were children.

And the black onyx ring I had kept for so many years.

I carefully placed everything into a box.

Then I closed the lid.

Along with that little piece of a girl's heart I had carried for years,

I locked it all away.

I called the house manager and gave him one instruction.

"Take this box to the Blackwood residence tomorrow morning."

Then, I turned off the bedside lamp and fell into a deep sleep.